Concordia alumna and founder of Teach Haiti publishes her memoir
Concordia College alumna Miquette Denie McMahon ’06 has received high praise for her first book.
“Never in a million years did I think I would write a book,” McMahon said, “but here we are today.”
McMahon released her book, “The Voice Poverty Cannot Silence,” in October 2025. The 240-page memoir shares the harsh realities of poverty as well as poignant stories of the sacrificial love of family and God’s miraculous provision and protection, according to the book’s blurb.
“While writing my novel, I learned a lot about myself. I interviewed my mom and other family members. It was a unique experience hearing about myself from them,” McMahon said.
McMahon, who graduated in 2006, is the founder of Teach Haiti, a nonprofit organization that provides education to children in Haiti. She is also a speaker and advocate for education and empowerment.
McMahon shared that attending Concordia College helped her find her voice. Originally from Haiti, where education is hard to afford, she wanted to help students get the education they deserved.
“College was hard, but it also helped shape me into the person I am today,” McMahon said. “I realized that I wanted to give back and make education accessible for students back home in Haiti.”
In 2007, she started her nonprofit, Teach Haiti.
“I was driving with my host dad to attend a conference on nonprofits, and we were brainstorming name ideas for Teach Haiti the entire way up,” McMahon said.
In 2017, McMahon came back to Concordia to speak at Commencement.
“It was really a full-circle moment, and meant a lot to me,” she said.
She believes every child deserves a chance to thrive, and her life’s work is devoted to making that a reality.
“The Voice Poverty Cannot Silence” is now available to check out at the Carl B. Ylvisaker Library.
More
Written by Kaylee Robinson '27