Haiti Partners Ambassadors
Donovan Beck
Communications Coordinator, Legatum Center at MIT
Donovan Beck is a multifaceted storyteller – an author, filmmaker, and advocate committed to reshaping dialogues around mental health and creativity, particularly on digital platforms. Through poignant poetry and evocative films, he crafts a sanctuary on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, promoting authenticity and purpose-driven content.
Donovan Beck’s background originates in the film industry as a documentarian and commercial filmmaker. He transitioned to the digital creation realm in 2020, leveraging his skills as a communications researcher at the California State University Northridge and as an advocate to craft compelling stories.
Boasting a community of half a million followers spanning TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Donovan has transformed the perception of poetry online. His content, fusing his filmmaking roots with his passion for narrative and verse, is akin to deep, late-night conversations about life’s essence. A significant turning point came in 2021 when his poem, “A Friendly Reminder,” garnered over sixteen million views on TikTok and propagated across various media. This acclaim paved the way for the self-publication of his inaugural poetry compilation, “A Fool’s Guide to the Universe,” selling over 10,000 copies globally.
Beyond personal achievements, Donovan champions other creators, focusing on amplifying voices and broadening resources for mental health discussions. He’s collaborated with prominent organizations like The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The JED Foundation, and Meta, breaking ground for diverse and underrepresented creators. Recognized by Meta’s WeTheCulture Class of 2022, Donovan is pioneering a shift in how communities of color and youth perceive poetic narratives and mental health awareness. He’s also been instrumental in national campaigns like Seize the Awkward and the 988 Launch, directing youth toward vital mental health resources.
Building on his robust background in storytelling and digital creation, Donovan has now expanded his horizons as the Communications Coordinator at the Legatum Center at MIT. Unwavering in his dedication to democratizing the realms of art, storytelling, and creation, Donovan eagerly collaborates with the Legatum Center, championing growth markets and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit globally.
Danielle Gilbert
Resident, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Danielle began traveling to Haiti in 2012 while attending high school. She started working with Haiti Partners in 2016, spending her summers in Baocia at The Children’s Academy during her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado. During this time, her focus was community-focused public health interventions, working with community members to provide school nursing services to students at the Children’s Academy. She received her medical doctorate from the University of Colorado in 2024. Danielle chose to stay at the University of Colorado for residency training in General Surgery. She plans to remain involved in global health endeavors, particularly in Haiti, and hopes to integrate global surgery into her future practice.
This is what Danielle wrote in 2016 about her volunteer experience with Haiti Partners:
My name is Danielle Gilbert and I am from Denver, Colorado. I am a recent graduate from the University of Colorado, Denver with a bachelors degree in Public Health, with hopes of beginning a Masters in Public Health in the fall of 2018. Haiti first entered my life in 2012 when a short visit during my high school years turned into a series of short visits. These shorter visits eventually led to longer term internships with Haiti partners beginning in June of 2016. My passion is providing healthcare to underserved populations, especially focusing on prevention. It is my goal to implement a new system of wellness checks, wellness tracking, and access to a school nurse at the Children’s Academy. I am so truly grateful for the opportunities afforded to me by Haiti Partners and am wholeheartedly committed to supporting an amazing organization that helps Haitians change Haiti through education.
To view an interview with Danielle, click here.
