Meet Richeline Cadet

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Richeline Cadet a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Richeline, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I believe everything I do is part of God’s plan for me—Jeremiah 29:11. My purpose is to help people, ignite hope, and inspire others to keep fighting for change while fostering a deeper sense of community.

I was born in Haiti and lived there until I was ten. Growing up, I was very quiet—something most people find hard to believe now, given how talkative I am. But those silent years were some of the most pivotal in my life. Those years began my journey to discovering who I was and wanted to be.

In my Caribbean family, my career path was more or less predetermined: STEM, law, education—or, well, disappointment (I say that half-jokingly).
Looking back, my childhood was full of moments that required me to be a fighter. Whether it was defending my mother as she navigated life in poverty or witnessing the stark socioeconomic differences between my parents’ families, I was always aware that something wasn’t right—and that it wasn’t something easily fixed.

Fortunately, my immigrant parents instilled in me the importance of education. Once I had access to the right learning environment, I finally found the words to describe what I had been feeling all along.

I realized that the struggles I saw around me wouldn’t be solved by losing hope but by cultivating more of it—and helping others do the same. That’s what I hope the work that I do does.

My earliest memory of feeling like I truly found my purpose was when my life changed unexpectedly at ten years old. I went from living in a country where everyone looked and sounded like me to a place where my identity was weaponized and belittled. But instead of letting that break me, I used it to shape the path I walk today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I serve as the Director of Organizing at MASSCreative, a statewide organization that advocates for the Massachusetts creative sector. I’m also deeply involved in community and political organizing in Boston, working to empower people to recognize their power and agency.

One of the most special aspects of my work is helping people understand that there’s no such thing as being “voiceless” and that no politician or candidate can truly be their voice. I’ve always disliked the phrase “voice for the voiceless” because I firmly believe that everyone has a voice; they just need the tools and confidence to use it. My passion lies in guiding people to discover their own voice and, in turn, helping others do the same.

When it comes to organizing in the creative sector, my work focuses on showing artists and creatives how impactful they are—not just as entertainers or makers of beautiful things but as key contributors to the overall well-being of our communities. Too often, the arts are seen as secondary, but they are deeply intertwined with economic growth, education, and even social justice. My hope, alongside my incredible team, is to create more space for people to recognize, support, and invest in this work.

Many don’t immediately see the intersection between art and politics, but artists face real issues—housing instability, economic inequities, and lack of access to opportunities. Advocacy for the arts isn’t just about funding creative expression; it’s about ensuring that artists can thrive, contribute, and continue to shape our communities’ cultural and civic landscape.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the ongoing efforts to strengthen organizing in the arts and creative industries. I encourage more people to engage in the movement because communities thrive when artists thrive.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking Back: Three Key Elements That Shaped My Journey
Area of Knowledge: I sought to understand what a better world could look like by learning from the most marginalized communities, especially through the lens of Black women social theorists like Bell Hooks, Audre Lorde, and Angela Davis. Their work helped shape my understanding of justice, liberation, and the power of collective action.
Quality: I center community in everything I do. I take the phrase “for us, by us” very seriously. Organizing isn’t about individual achievements—it’s about collective progress and ensuring that the people most impacted by decisions have a real say in shaping solutions.
Skill: I am intentional about how I approach my work and community-building. I never enter a space as an “outsider” with an “I know it all” attitude. Instead, I seek permission to be let in, listen, and be taught by the people within that community. Building authentic relationships and trust is the foundation of real, lasting change.
Advice for Those Early in Their Journey
Know yourself and why you do this work. Politics, advocacy, and organizing are not easy—especially for those with marginalized identities. You need a strong sense of purpose to navigate the challenges that come your way.
Build a loving and supportive community. Find people who will hold you when you fall apart and help put you back together, piece by piece. This work is deeply personal, and having a safe, affirming space to recharge is essential.
Invest in expanding your mind. Don’t just learn what validates your beliefs—study different perspectives, even those you disagree with. My strongest skill is that my political views and opinions aren’t shaped by just one party or single-issue stance. I take the time to understand opposing perspectives and articulate my own better. Education, in every capacity, is your greatest asset.
Be teachable and willing to teach others. Growth is a constant process. Stay open to learning from every experience and every person you meet, and share what you know to help lift others.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

“The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others.”― bell hooks

Like many people, I once had a limited understanding of love—seeing it primarily as a feeling, an emotional experience, or maybe even something physical. But ‘Bell Hooks All About Love completely shifted my perspective, especially in how I approach my work in organizing and advocacy.

Early in my advocacy journey, I learned from hooks that if I wanted to create meaningful change, I needed to center love—not just the sentimental kind, but love as an intentional, transformative act. One of the most powerful takeaways from the book is how she defines love:“Love as ‘the will to extend one’s self for the the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.’ Love is as love does. Love is an act of will–namely, both an intention and an action.”

This definition challenged me to reflect on my work and interactions with people. Am I moving in love? Am I showing up for my community in ways that nurture growth and liberation? Love, in this sense, is not passive—it’s a deliberate choice, a political act, and a guiding force in how we dismantle oppression and build something better.

This book pushed me to constantly check in with myself and my work, ensuring that I’m not just fighting against something but actively building towards something rooted in care, justice, and collective liberation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tr.ee/OQZuctQqOE
• Instagram: _Riicchhiiee_
• Linkedin: Richeline Cadet
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94CmgMan-zc