The Captain Haiti Foundation, a charitable trust operating under 4947(a)(1), has announced a successful $5 million fundraising campaign in partnership with private equity firm Dargent Group. The initiative aims to utilize blockchain technology to address Miami’s housing crisis and combat gentrification within the Haitian community. Nandy Martin, also known as Captain Haiti and chairman of the foundation, explains that the funds will be dedicated to helping residents in the Little Haiti neighborhood acquire affordable housing, including land, family homes, and commercial real estate.
To kickstart the project, Martin plans to collaborate with Nusic, a Web3 music infrastructure provider, to release a limited edition collection of geo-located music non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These NFTs will grant collectors first-option rights to purchase real estate. The Captain Haiti Foundation also intends to raise $300,000 for the beautification of Little Haiti, with a focus on community cleanups, public art installations, and green spaces known as the “Little Haiti Walls.”
Two years ago, Martin garnered support from Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson and Miami District Commissioner Jeffrey Watson to leverage blockchain technology for revitalizing the Little Haiti community. Watson had previously allocated $200,000 to support local businesses engaged in importing Haitian products, while Martin created the Little Haiti Coin on the Cardano blockchain to offer discounts on Haitian imports.
Captain Haiti, known for his distinctive shield and cape attire inspired by Captain America, is a vocal advocate against the gentrification that has led to skyrocketing housing costs and emigration in his neighborhood. In a letter of support for the initiative, he emphasizes the importance of preserving the Little Haiti Wall project as a cultural landmark that fosters understanding and appreciation within the community.
The successful fundraising campaign will empower the Captain Haiti Foundation to make significant strides in addressing Miami’s housing challenges and promoting cultural heritage preservation for future generations.
