Carel Pedre is a Haitian radio and TV personality, journalist, social media specialist, director and producer. As the host of Radio One’s Chokarella (Creole for “Carel’s Show”) Haiti’s number one morning show, and the TV Shows “Kiyès Ki Towo A” and “Digicel Stars,” Haiti’s number one talent search, Pedre has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in Haiti’s entertainment industry.
Through the power of social media, Carel Pedre was instrumental in communicating the urgency of Haiti’s plight to the world after the tragic 7.0 Earthquake that ravaged Haiti on January 12, 2010. On that tragic day,Haiti was cut off from the rest of the world, no internet or cell phone signals were to be found. But Pedre was miraculously able to find a scarce internet connection, allowing him to send a brief message via webcam, informing news outlets around the world of the dire situation. As a result, Pedre became Haiti’s de facto international media correspondent during the immediate post disaster efforts. The French press has dubbed him “The eye of Haiti,” and “The host with the big heart.” He is the recipient of the 2012 Humanitarian Shorty Award for his exceptional coverage after the January 12, 2010 earthquake. Carel Pedre’s has continued his humanitarian efforts through the Sunday Project, a small grassroots food distribution program he started with close friends; distributing food on Sundays to children in the troubled area of Cité Soleil.
Carel Pedre is the mastermind behind a number of innovative initiatives, namely the apps he has developed. The Chokarella app is the official mobile application for Pedre’s popular morning radio show. On it, downloaders can livestream the radio show every morning, listen to the newest music, and watch the newest videos in the Haitian music industry. The mobile app, Lokal serves as a guide to discover all things Haitian: local attractions, local deals, local events, and local businesses. The most popular of Carel Pedre’s projects is PleziKanaval, the website, the TV show and the mobile app. PleziKanaval is the source for all news and updates surrounding Haiti’s carnival. Through PleziKanaval, Carel Pedre has revolutionized the way Haiti’s carnival is presented to the world; inviting the global Haitian community and the rest of the world to truly partake in Haiti’s carnival in a way they never could before.
