2022 Details

Bonjour ladies!

We cannot wait to have you at the annual Haitian Ladies Weekend: Igniting Our Power!

Every year, #HLW brings hundreds of professional female leaders of Haitian descent of all ages together for a fantastic weekend of fellowship and culture.

This year, we have curated several breakout sessions to enhance your experience. Start your day with a morning wellness session, enjoy a forum about Engaging with Haiti, then pick your favorite track: Traditional Haitian health and wellness; The Future of Tech (Web 3.0); Financial management: retirement and estate planning; HerStory (spotlighting Haitian Ladies with amazing stories of inspiration); Young leaders session for school-aged students ages 14+**.

Take a stop at the Kreyòl Essence Wellness Pozé Lounge. Shop the exciting pop-up curated by Bien Abyé and support Haitian women-led businesses. End the day evening with cultural celebrations and immersions with dancing and music.
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The weekend will wrap up on Sunday with the 17th annual Haitian Ladies Brunch! We are looking forward to hosting you.

Sincerely,
The Steering Committee

WEEKEND AGENDA

Friday, October 7

A three-day experience packed with inspirational speakers, celebrations of Haitian culture, the 17th annual signature brunch, and endless networking!

*All events will take place at the Capital Hilton Hotel: 1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC

Registration Opens
4:00PM

Meet Haitian Ladies coming from all over the world. Grab your special made in Haiti conference bag. Get familiar with WHOVA, the leading networking app.

Opening Reception
‍6:00-8:00 PM

‍*Light fare and cocktails

Kick off the three-day weekend with special cultural moments. Start experiencing the magic of the Weekend. See the Getting Ready page for great suggestions.

*Grab Dinner with old and new friends and get a taste of the DC nightlife.

Saturday, October 8

Power Flow Yoga
7:00-8:00 AM

Alix Montes
Former Lulemon Ambassador, Master teacher

Get rejuvenated at yoga with Haitian flavor by Alix Montes, former Lulemon Ambassador, and master teacher. Alix will be teaching a power flow yoga session that is accessible to all levels while still challenging enough to push you out of your comfort zone. In this flow, be prepared to discover something new about your practice while enjoying a vibrant mix of music.

*Morning Coffee/Tea and Pastries

9:30 AM - 4:30PM Symposium

‍Spend the day engaged in dialogue with prominent Haitian women leaders and changemakers. Expand your knowledge of the impact of new technologies. Be inspired by incredible stories. Learn about our special healing traditions and gain tools to plan for your retirement and legacy.

‍Enjoy a networking lunch, relax at the Kreyòl Essence Wellness Pozé Lounge and shop the Pop-Up!

Opening Remarks

Mistress of Ceremony:
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson
‍Vice President News Programming at Nickelodeon + Executive Producer, Nick News

Hear a special welcome from the Haitian Ladies Network Steering Committee. Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer and 60 minutes veteran, Magalie graces the stage to kick off the day.

Keynote Speaker
Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis
President of FOKAL

Hear from one of the most prominent Haiti experts of our times and gain a deeper understanding on our history, culture, and the critical importance of the country’s rural communities.

Engaging with Haiti Plenary

Moderator:
Marjorie Valbrun
‍Managing Editor

Speakers:
Tamara Guérin Barrau
‍Vice President of Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC)

‍Naed Jasmin Desire
‍Founder Member, Kafou Lespwa

Emmanuela Douyon
Founder of POLICITÉ

‍Rosy Auguste Ducena
Avocate, Responsable de Programmes au Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains (RNDDH)

‍Régine Théodat
Creative Strategist, Taste Maker, & Innovator, MyaBèl S.A.

At such a critical juncture in Haiti’s history, come and hear from voices from the ground and learn how the Diaspora can build meaningful and long-lasting engagement with women in Haiti and be more effective advocates.

Health & Wellness: Traditional Haitian Medicine Panel

Host:
YveCar Momperousse
‍CEO & Founder - Kreyol Essence, LLC

‍Speakers:
Martine Theodore
Apothecary
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Dr. Lise Marie Dejean
Physician
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Louise Carmel Bijoux
Ethnologist

Marilise N. Rouzier
Writer/Biologist/Ethnobotanist

Ever heard of the postpartum “beny” or of the term “Remed Fey”? Come learn about our Haitian traditional family medicine passed down from generations, best practices in health and wellness and how we heal ourselves.

Understanding the personal impact of Web3 Panel

Moderator:
Stacey Samuel
‍Executive Producer/CEO, Ground-To-Sky Media

Speakers:
Daniele Jean-Pierre
Co-Founder, ORO Financial

Carmelle Cadet
Founder and CEO of EMTECH

Maureen Murat
Principal, Crowdie Advisor

Genevieve Leveille
CEO & Principal Founder, AgriLedger

Get savvy about web3 and new opportunities for consumers, businesses, and wealth-creation from Haitian women who are at the forefront of innovation.

Financial Management: Retirement & Estate Planning Workshop

Speakers:
Swanellie Paulin
Financial Advisor and Limited Partner at Edward Jones

‍E. Regine Francois Williams
‍Founder and Managing Partner at Francois Williams Legal LL

Get expert advice on planning for your own retirement and managing parents finances. Estate planning is important for everyone, no matter their age or wealth. Learn how to create a plan to ensure your kids are taken care of and more of your money is passed on to your loved ones.

The strength of Haitian Women: HERstory Plenary

Host:
Karen Andre
Political Strategist
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Speakers:
Sandra Lajoie
‍Vice President, Entertainment Unscripted Communications NBCUniversal

‍Emeline Michel
SINGER/SONGWRITER, Queen of Creole Music

Be inspired and amazed and hear of stories of triumphs and resilience from women who have reached the heights of their industries.

Youth Forum: Session for high school students ages 14+

Hosts:
Kya Pierre-Dawkins
Chloé Laplanche

Bring your daughters and the special young women in your lives to deepen their connections to Haitian culture and heritage and build lasting friendships and mentoring relationships.

Closing Plenary

Wrap up with more inspiration and excitement on stage!

5:30 PM - 7:30PM - LA GRANDE DANSE
Live Traditional Haitian Dance and Sound Experience: A Haitian Dance Masterclass for all.

‍Come ready to learn, dance and immerse yourself in our cultural heritage.
What to Wear: loose fitting clothes (anything you can move freely in), Haitian folklore dance attire and no shoes (barefoot).

*Grab Dinner with old and new friends and get a taste of the DC nightlife.

Sunday, October 9

Get energized with Kompa Lakay session
7:00-8:00 AM

Jennifer Telfort and Genevieve Augustin

By day, Jennifer Telfort is an Accountant and Genevieve Augustin is an Attorney. By night, the pair are Kompa lovers who enjoy spreading the Haitian culture through dance and expression, particularly to Diaspora who have had limited access to Kompa dancing and events. The workshop will focus on refining one’s Kompa technique, by becoming a more responsive follower or by taking the lead. All levels are welcome!

*Morning Coffee/Tea and Pastries

Meet and greet your Haitian Ladies Elected Officials

Hosts:
Charnette Frederic
Councilwoman at large, Irvington NJ

Chairwoman, National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON)

Dotie Joseph
State Representative
Florida House District 108

Come and meet some of the Haitian American women who are currently elected throughout the United States. Hear their policy priorities and how you can get engaged in policy efforts impacting our communities

Haitian Ladies Brunch
12:00PM -4:00PM
(Doors open at 11:30am)

Mistress of Ceremony:
Martine St-Victor
‍General Manager at Edelman Montréal

‍Special Remarks:
The Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (invited)
Florida (FL) – 20th, Democrat

Keynote Speaker:
Michaëlle Jean
‍Former Governor General, Commander-in-Chief of Canada

Hosted by Haitian Canadian media guru, the 17th Annual Haitian Ladies Brunch will be an experience like no other. Immerse yourself in the magic of authentic connections, the sounds of our rich culture, samples of delicious Haitian cuisine, and the energy of hundreds of Haitian women.

Hear from the only Haitian-American currently elected to Congress who will bring special remarks and a call to action.

Michaëlle Jean is a Canadian stateswoman and former journalist who served from 2005 to 2010 as governor general of Canada, the 27th since Canadian Confederation. She is the first Haitian Canadian and black person to hold this office.

‍RASANBLEMAN
‍Be awed by the coming together for the very first time of Haiti’s foremost artists in the traditional sounds of Haiti (drums movement voices music).

Enjoy a captivating and powerful Live Musical and Dance Performances by the Renowned Haitian Artists of the Cultural Collective curated especially for the 2022 Haitian Ladies Weekend.

SPECIAL SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
Wyclef Jean, 3 times Grammy Award and Emmy Award singer, songwriter, producer, rapper

There’s more!

*All in-person events will be hosted in accordance with the latest CDC guidelines, local DC regulations, and/or Hilton Hotel guidelines, all subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CAPITAL HILTON
1001 16TH ST NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, DC 20036

Stay at our host hotel, the historic Capital Hilton for a discounted nightly rate of $199!
*Valid until September 23rd.

Discounted Valet Parking is available at Capital Hilton for $45/day per vehicle for Haitian Ladies Weekend attendees.

For self-parking, we recommend MidTown Garage at 1100 15th St NW.

Partnership Opportunities

Opportunities start at the $1,000 Patron level for two all-weekend tickets plus the option of honoring a special Haitian lady in your life or including your business in the HLN business listing. Contact partnerships@haitianladies.org to learn more.