Clinton Benoit is a well-known Haitian-American artist, Social Worker, Therapist, Police Officer, and Activist dedicated to helping his community. He became a mainstream success in the early 21st century and he is well known for his brilliant, innovative ideas. Clinton Benoit has won multiple honors for his contributions to the Haitian music industry. Clinton Benoit started his professional musical career as the leader and founder of the Haitian band Trak, a salsa band in Petion-Ville, Haiti, back in the 1990s. He later joined and performed with many prestigious bands and other legendary artists before going solo with his Funky Konpa debut album in late 2010. His innovative album was the first Funky Konpa album, and it hit No. 1 on Metro Hits Chart.
Clinton Benoit’s signature creations received worldly recognition for his Funky Konpa innovation and his tribute project to the Haitian legends with his Kreyol Alternative. The community service work that the star of Haiti provided went beyond courageous. As a singer, his goal is to bring Haitian music to the same level as many other internationally popular genres of music. Clinton Benoit is very passionate about pushing his social justice agenda while working the streets as a police officer. He encourages young men and women to be productive citizens and to stay out of trouble.
His Activism Goes Beyond his Duties
More importantly, Clinton Benoit has been working on behalf of his fellow musicians who are struggling. He has helped with fundraising activities for those struggling with health issues or other matters within the music industry. In an article published by Le Nouvelliste at the beginning of the Covid-19, Clinton Benoit gathered a list of influential Haitian singers, musicians, radio personalities, actors, designers, and activists using his own money to put on a PSA out to motivate his community on how to protect themselves against the Corona Virus. According to many sources, Clinton Benoit started his motivation campaign before the Haitian Department of Health, seriously considering the matter a real threat to the Haitian community. In an interview with a famous Haitian radio and television host Guy Webern Guerrier (Guy Wewe), he asked Clinton Benoit what motivates him to get involved in those types of work. Clinton Benoit responded, “everyone at time needs a little help. That is why I am dedicated to helping anyone who is in need.” Many sources we have spoken to almost answered with an identical line, Clinton Benoit is a good man with a big heart.
In his childhood hometown of Jacmel, a small old French city in Southwest Haiti, Clinton Benoit created a football team known as soccer in the US designed to uplift the spirit and showcase the talent of his neighborhood kids of Lamandou. The organization that Clinton Benoit created provides those young soccer players with all the necessary equipment and food during practice to perform the task professionally. It is a great success knowing that the game of soccer that is beloved on this Caribbean island provides a refuge for all the kids and keeps them out of trouble. Lamandou FC competes in tournaments around the country during the summertime. He also supports many families who are in need. The star is an ambassador for Association Fanm Kore Fanm, a non-profit organization based in Haiti and the United States. As a Social Worker and Police Officer, it is his duty, but as a human being, it is his dedication. His heart motivates him to go beyond his professional responsibilities.
Photos credits: Jazz Enterprise/ODHO Productions
