We have been blessed because they are a part of our mosaic." The evening festivities featured remarks from Haitian Consul General of New York Harry J. Fouche and Haiti's Ambassador to the United Nations Jean C. Alexandre. Entertainment was provided the Haitian American Association of Jersey City Inc., gospel singer [Felina Backer] and rap group Euneek Aroma Haiti. Additionally, the work of Haitian artist Lucien Bourdeau was displayed. The master of ceremonies was Yves Richar Blanc.
"This is a historic day for the state of Florida," [Jeb Bush] said. "But this appointment goes beyond symbolism. It represents a coming of age of a population that has made significant contributions to the state of Florida. Dr. [M. Rony Francois] joins an incredible group of aspiring Haitian Americans who are making a difference in our state." Francois, who will make $155,000 a year in the state post, will succeed Dr. John Agwunobi as secretary of the Department of Health. Agwunobi is leaving Tallahassee to become an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Francois will take over on Monday. A native of Port-au-Prince, Francois first came to the United States in 1979 and eventually earned a medical degree from USF in Tampa, as well as a master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Central Florida and a doctoral degree in toxicology from USF.
Dr. Edwidge Crevecoeur Bryant, a renowned scholar and speaker, and Professor at University of North Florida, will deliver the keynote address. She is a proud Haitian-American whose brilliance, public speaking and charisma commend the reverence and high regard of all. A leading proponent for advancing higher education in the state, she will argue the need for a significant community effort to help our students through college. Professor Bryant is a role model for our entire community. We are fortunate to also have The Honorable Paul Novack, Attorney at Law, former Mayor of the Town of Surfside and Member of the Florida State Oversight Board for the Miami-Dade County Public School District, to speak on higher education being a vital investment in the future.
The Haitian-American Association for Political Action (HAAPA,) headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y., officially endorsed Ms. [Tamara Grandoit] for the New York City Councilmanic district number 46. After reviewing her platform including a question and answer session, HAAPA members decided to endorse her and contributed a total of $1,100 to Ms. Grandoit's campaign. If successful, Ms. Tamara Grandoit will be the first candidate of Haitian ancestry to be elected to the New York City Council. This feat is long overdue, given the significant number of Haitian-Americans living in New York City, and particularly in the Brooklyn area.
HAUP's Chairperson, Mr. Yves Merry Telemaque is counting on private matching contributions to provide desperately needed funds to keep the Queens Community Center functioning at its current location at 221-05 Linden Blvd. in Cambria Heights, Queens.
"It is a new day," [Phillip J. Brutus] told Caribbean Today. "No longer will Haitian Americans be taken for granted. We are demanding our place at the table." "We need to get Haitians involved in the process," Joseph "Billy" Louis, a spokesperson for the group, told Caribbean Today. "We need numbers in order to be taken seriously." Damian P. Gregory is a freelance writer for Caribbean Today. Caribbean Today's special focus on Haiti begins with Nick Carter's call for the nation to "re-invent" itself on page 9 and continues on page 29 with highlights of events there and in the U.S. marking Haiti's 200th Independence.
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
143 p, Uses U.S. and Haitian interview data, coupled with a broader analysis of Haitian rural conditions and the effects of foreign and domestic policy on their movement, to underscore the need for a comprehensive rural strategy for economic development in Haiti.
