Born and raised in Hinche, Yvette Israel Leroy (also known in the literary community as Wanègès) is a spoken word poet who lives in Miami. She first attended the School of Immaculate Conception, in Haiti, and later graduated from the nursing program at Simone Ovide Duvalier. She also obtained a culinary arts degree from the L’École Hôtelière. In 1985, Wanègès migrated to the United States, where she developed a passion for cultural arts. Her poetic career formally began in 2001 with the release of her first CD entitled Galata yon Samba. A second volume soon followed. An important voice within the Haitian community, Wanègès has performed her poetry in New-York, Canada, and Boston.
Yvette Israel Leroy (ke yo rele Wanègès nan kominote literè a) fèt epi leve nan vil Ench. Li fè etid li nan Lekòl Imakile Konsepsyon, an Ayiti, epi li gradye lekòl enfimyè Simone Ovide Duvalier. Li te jwenn diplòm nan L’École Hôtelière tou. An 1985, Wanègès imigre Ozetazini, epi se la li vin devlope yon gwo pasyon pou la kiltirèl. Karyè literè li kòmanse tout bon an 2001 lè li pibliye premye CD powèm li, Galata yon Samba. Sa pat pran lontan pou yon dezyèm volim sòti. Wanègès se yon vwa enpòtan nan kominote ayisyèn Miami an. Li resite pwezi li Nouyòk, Kanada, ak Boston.