This May, Melky Jean is launching Saint Sauveur 1972, a premium Haitian-American rum brand inspired by two generations of cultural legacy. Known for her work alongside Beyoncé, Carlos Santana, and Shakira, and for founding The Carma Foundation to support women and children in Haiti, Melky is now boldly entering the business world with a brand that uplifts her roots and redefines representation in the spirits industry.
As a fearless, culture-shifting woman of color, Melky continues to blaze trails across business, media, and philanthropy.
When asked about the inspiration behind the name and brand, Melky shared that Saint Sauveur 1972 isn’t just a rum—it’s bottled legacy.
The spirit is born from three generations of bold, resilient Haitian women whose stories deserve to be poured, shared, and celebrated. Her grandmother, a true Renaissance woman in 1940s Haiti, raised ten children, made moonshine that lit up every occasion, and carried herself with fearless grace—even charming a would-be assassin into a confession over food and drink!
Her mother, a quiet storm, was forced into the role of a stay-at-home mom, but she transformed her kitchen into a kingdom, making and selling Haitian kremas with a recipe that remains legendary.
After years of helping build other brands, Melky realized that the same fire burned within her. Saint Sauveur 1972 was born as a tribute to the strength, resilience, and spirit of these women. The name also honors the Saint Sauveur ship, the first documented Haitian refugee vessel to arrive in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1972—the same year her mother left Haiti in search of a better life.
Melky’s Haitian heritage influences every aspect of the brand, from the rich, layered flavor profile to the deeply intentional storytelling. The rum captures the warmth, vibrancy, and richness of Haitian culture, layered with coconut, vanilla, and citrus, aged in oak barrels for a smooth yet bold profile that mirrors the spirit of the Haitian people. Every design element—from the bottle’s boat shape, honoring the refugee ship, to the logo featuring two women in traditional headscarves woven with the Haitian flag—echoes the heritage and pride embedded in the brand’s DNA.
Launching during Haitian Heritage Month was no accident. For Melky, it was vital to debut Saint Sauveur 1972 at a time when Haitian culture, history, and resilience are proudly celebrated. She described the launch as a love letter to her community, a way of saying, “This rum is for us. It’s by us. And it carries our legacy.” Haitian Heritage Month, especially around May 18th—Haitian Flag Day—represents pride, remembrance, and celebration, and Saint Sauveur 1972 is designed to mirror those emotions in every pour.
Having worked alongside global icons like Beyoncé and Shakira, Melky understands the power of storytelling, branding, and emotional connection. Her years in the music industry taught her to build experiences that resonate deeply—a skill she brings fully into the world of spirits. Creating Saint Sauveur 1972 is about bottling not just flavor, but feeling: pride, nostalgia, power. Her experience honed her instincts to move with precision, pivot when necessary, and build something timeless.
Melky’s work with The Carma Foundation—an organization dedicated to uplifting Haitian women and children—has always been about giving voice and visibility to the overlooked. With Saint Sauveur 1972, that mission continues. The brand isn’t just about commerce; it’s about storytelling, empowerment, and reclaiming the Haitian narrative. Every bottle is a celebration of the beauty, strength, and brilliance of Haiti, and a commitment to reinvest in and uplift the community.
In a spirits industry that has historically lacked representation from women of color, especially Haitian women, Melky is entering with a bold purpose: to disrupt and redefine the space. She carries forward the legacy of her grandmother and mother, showing that leadership, elegance, and excellence can come from women who look like her. Saint Sauveur 1972 is a statement that Haitian women belong not just at the table but at the head of it—building legacies, owning luxury, and crafting culture.
Every aspect of the production and branding of Saint Sauveur 1972 is a testament to Haitian craftsmanship and pride. From the boat-shaped bottle to the logo celebrating Haitian women, to labels produced in Chicago—a city founded by a Haitian—every detail pays homage to the enduring contributions of Haitians worldwide. Melky intentionally weaves history, culture, and resilience into every element, ensuring the spirit of her people shines through.
Balancing the many layers of her identity as an artist, humanitarian, and entrepreneur has not been without challenges. But for Melky, these roles are interwoven, all fueled by a desire to honor where she comes from while boldly stepping into new spaces. Staying true to herself, grounded in the legacy she stands on, and focused on the impact she wants to leave behind, she continues to forge paths that blend purpose, passion, and pride.
With Saint Sauveur 1972, Melky bottles more than rum—she bottles resilience, beauty, and the unstoppable spirit of Haiti, offering the world not just a drink, but a story worth savoring.
Credits:
MUA/Hair: Kenny Louis
Photography: Jaypix Studios
Stylist: Sandra Alphonse
