My Journey from
Colonized Mind to Liberation
I am a Haitian-born author and cultural commentator whose work examines the intersection of history, identity, and the decolonization of the mind — inviting readers to question inherited narratives and reclaim agency over how they think, define themselves, and imagine freedom.
At a Glance
I was born in Haiti, in a small community where stories of revolution, resilience, and the power of the human spirit were passed down from one generation to the next. I was raised in a Christian household and taught that salvation could be found only through God. For many years, I believed that love, unity, and purpose were inseparable from the faith I had inherited — a faith introduced to my ancestors through colonial systems.
Like many people in the diaspora, I carried beliefs handed down through a history that had denied the humanity of my ancestors. As I grew older, I began to question what I had been taught and search for a deeper understanding of who I was and where I came from. That search became a journey of unlearning: examining the colonial ideas that had contributed to the erasure of our languages, cultures, histories, and sense of worth.
My first book, Alike Regardless: This Is Where It Began, published in 2021, marked the beginning of that journey. It invited readers to look beyond race, religion, and social divisions and recognize our shared humanity. The book encouraged self-reflection and love as pathways toward healing the wounds that keep us separated.
As I continued questioning the world around me, I realised that liberation reaches far beyond the differences we see on the surface. That realisation led to The Colonization of the Mind: Breaking the Invisible Chains of Thought — more than a continuation of my personal journey, and an invitation to collective examination. It speaks to anyone who has felt the weight of colonialism in their mind, heart, and sense of self.
The book challenges us to confront the stories we have inherited about who we are, what we are capable of, and how we should understand our history, culture, language, faith, and worth. Through it, I hope to encourage readers to imagine a future in which we are not confined by inherited ideas or the unresolved wounds of history, but empowered to think freely and live more fully.
The Books
The Colonization of the Mind
A continuation of one personal journey, and an invitation to collective examination. This book confronts the inherited stories about who we are, what we are capable of, and how we understand our history, culture, language, faith, and worth — and loosens the mental chains that have shaped generations.
Alike Regardless
The book that started the journey. An invitation to look beyond race, religion, and social divisions and recognise our shared humanity — with self-reflection and love offered as pathways toward healing the wounds that keep us separated.
What the Work Is Built On
Mental Liberation
Looking beyond our differences to find common ground through loss, honesty, and self-reflection.
Decolonization & Cultural Reclamation
Dismantling the lingering psychological and cultural impacts of colonialism while reclaiming suppressed histories, identities, and ways of knowing.
Dialogue, Education & Collective Healing
Through writing, podcasting, and public speaking, creating space for honest conversations about colonial legacies, intergenerational trauma, and the pathways toward healing.
Honoring Resistance & Reimagining the Future
Grounded in the legacy of Haiti's revolution and connected to global struggles for justice — celebrating resilience and resistance while envisioning a future free from mental colonization.
What People Are Saying
“As a thought leader in the DEI space, I truly appreciated the book. The author does an amazing job walking the reader through the journey of how division has torn apart humankind, then introduces love as the key to healing these wounds. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to understand how hatred and bias have caused division in the world — and what steps need to be taken to move forward as a society.
Kerry D. RosadoCEO & Founder, Dyvergent Consulting Group
“This man is a breath of fresh air in a polluted social justice atmosphere. I get very frustrated with the slow pace of progress and the negativity of our rhetoric, but Yvener and his book advance an absolutely contagious positivity. If all of us adopted his demeanour and philosophies, the world would be a far better place.
Mark M. BelloAward-winning author, attorney & social justice advocate
“This book provides insight. It educates, and it demonstrates how to love, how to accept yourself, your race, and how to understand that we are made equal. We all have blood running inside our veins. We are alike regardless of race, skin, colour.
Shouberte Jean BaptisteAuthor
Why did you move away from Christianity after being raised in the church?
I was raised in a deeply Christian household and spent decades actively involved in church life. Over time, through historical study, self-reflection, and understanding the legacy of slavery and colonization, I came to realize that many of the beliefs I inherited were not chosen freely but imposed on my ancestors. My shift was not sudden — it was a long, thoughtful process of questioning and unlearning.
Does leaving Christianity mean you reject morality or spirituality?
Not at all. My departure from Christianity was not a rejection of ethics, compassion, or meaning. I believe morality and love do not require religious belief. Human dignity, empathy, and responsibility can exist independently of organized religion.
Is your work anti-religion or anti-Christian?
No. My work is not about attacking individuals or their faith. It is about examining systems of power and history honestly. Many people find comfort in religion, and I respect that. My focus is on choice, awareness, and intellectual freedom.
What does “decolonization of the mind” actually mean?
It is the process of identifying and dismantling internalized beliefs that were shaped by colonial power — about language, faith, race, culture, and worth. It is an ongoing practice of reclaiming agency over how we think, believe, and define ourselves.
How does colonization relate to religion and belief systems?
Colonial powers used religion as a tool of control and cultural erasure. Understanding this history is central to the decolonization of the mind that I write and speak about.
How did your first book Alike Regardless lead to this work?
Alike Regardless focused on human unity and love as tools for healing division. At the time, I still framed these ideas through a religious lens. Decolonization of the Mind represents the next stage of my intellectual journey — moving from unity rooted in belief to unity rooted in shared humanity and historical truth.
Why is Haiti central to your work?
Haiti is the first Black republic and a symbol of resistance against colonial domination. Yet it continues to suffer from the political, economic, and cultural consequences of colonialism. My work honors Haiti's revolutionary legacy while using its history as a lens to examine global systems of power and control.
Who is this work for?
This work is for anyone willing to question inherited narratives — whether they are Black, African-descended, Indigenous, or from any background affected by colonial history. It is also for readers who value critical thinking, self-examination, and the courage to evolve.
Whether you're here for the books, the podcast, or the work itself — I'm glad you're here.
If you're ready to break free from the chains of colonial thought and embrace the fullness of who you are, join me in the fight for liberation. Start with the first two chapters, free.
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