Haitian Ladies Weekend 2023

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 yoga session, enjoy a forum about Engaging with Haiti, Real Tech Talk; Financial management: retirement and estate planning; HerStory (spotlighting Haitian Ladies with amazing stories of inspiration).

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.
‍
The weekend will wrap up on Sunday with the 18th annual Haitian Ladies Brunch! We are looking forward to hosting you.

Sincerely,
The Steering Committee

WEEKEND AGENDA

Friday, October 6

A three-day experience packed with inspirational speakers, celebrations of Haitian culture, the 18th annual signature brunch, and endless networking!

Visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Dr. Joanne Hyppolite
African Diaspora Curator, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Attendees will be welcomed by museum curator Joanne Hyppolite for a Meet & Greet in the Heritage Hall. An information Q&A will take place at 1:30 pm. then, ladies will explore the museum on their own.
‍

Registration Opens
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
West Reg Desk

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.

Byenvini: Newcomers Mixer
‍‍5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Empire Ballroom

First time attending the Haitian Ladies Weekend? Come and get to know your fellow newbies and the Steering Committee Members.

Pap Jazz Nan Lakou ft. Pauline Jean
‍‍‍5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Empire Patio & Hammock Lawn

Pauline Jean
Joel Widmaer
Mushy Widmaer
Milena Sanders

In collaboration with the Fondation Haiti Jazz, celebrate the evolution of Kreyol jazz and get a taste of Haiti’s culture, art, and food.

Haitian Ladies Marketplace Curated by Bien Abyé
‍‍7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Embassador Room

Shop Haitian women-owned businesses for unique fashion, health and beauty, food products and lifestyle services.

Saturday, October 7

Registration Open
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
West Reg Desk

Yoga In-Person
7:00 AM- 8:30 AM
Palladium

Yoga Online
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Nutritionist and Physical Trainer
‍7:00-8:30 AM

Coffee & Tea
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Haitian Ladies Marketplace Curated by Bien Abyé
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Embassador Room
‍

Shop Haitian women-owned businesses for unique fashion, health and beauty, food products and lifestyle services.

Byenvini: Newcomers Mixer
‍‍8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Empire Ballroom

First time attending the Haitian Ladies Weekend? Come and get to know your fellow newbies and the Steering Committee Members.

HLN Welcome by Steering Committee
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Regency
‍

Know the mission, get mobilized, and ignite impact.

Rediscovering Haitian Identity
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Regency
‍
Speaker:
Michele Montas
United Nations (retired) , Radio Haiti, Media consultant 2011, Senior Adviser to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to Haiti, 2010-2011, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary General 2007-2009, Chief editor Radio Haiti (1987-2003)‍

Engaging with Haiti Panel
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Regency

Moderator:
Monique Clesca
‍

In this pivotal moment 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.

Networking Lunch & Marketplace
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
‍

Shop Haitian women-owned businesses for unique fashion, health and beauty, food products and lifestyle services.

HERStory with Dominique Anglade & Régine Chassagne
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
‍
Speakers:
Dominique Anglade
HEC Montréal and KANPE Foundation, Co-leader of the sustainable transition office at HEC Montréal and Cofounder of KANPE Foundation

Régine Chassagne
KANPE Foundation
‍

Be inspired by the triumphs and resilience of Dominique Anglade, the 1st woman to lead the Quebec Libral Party, the 1st black woman to lead a major provincial party & the 1st Haitian-Canadian to become a cabinet minister.

Building Generational Wealth
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Palladium

Speakers:
Marsha Webb
CEO, New Century Tax and Planning

Swanellie Paulin

Regine François Williams
Owner and Managing Attorney, Francois William Legal

Unlock the power of financial and estate planning for all ages and stages of life, career and income levels.

Digital Personal Branding: Strategies for Success (Gen Z Panel)
‍2:30-3:30 PM
Cabinet

Speaker:
Daphne Valcin
Chief Executive Officer, Executive Coach, Corporate Trainer, Daphne Valcin Coaching, Inc.

An Intimate Talk with Guerdy Abraira
‍2:30-3:30 PM
Palladium

Women in Entrepreneurship in Haiti
2:30 PM - 4:00PM
Forum

Speaker:
Dayanne Danier
‍Creative Director, Bien Abyé

Learn the tools and tap into the networks needed to grow businesses and social enterprises in Haiti today.

Real Tech Talk: A Conversation with Maureen Jules-Perez & Dr. Gina Guillaume-Joseph
3:30 PM - 4:30PM

Speakers:
Maureen Jules-Perez
‍
Gina Guillaume-Joseph
‍‍Chief Technology Officer - Government, Workday

A candid conversation with two Haitian women at the top of the tech industry on getting into careers and understanding the fundamentals of tech innovation (AI, cloud computing).

Educated Girl, Empowered Woman: The Art of Moving Mountains with Grace, Fun and Dignity
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Speaker:
Dr. Solance Vivens

Morning inspiration and book reading with Dr. Solanges Vivens.

What I Wish My Haitian Mother Told Me
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Congressional

Join us for a multi-generational conversation on healing.

Marketplace, Networking, Collation (Food)
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM
Ambassador

HLN Leading the Charge: Be A Part of The Call To Action!
5:15 PM - 5:45 PM
Regency

Know the mission, get mobilized, and ignite impact.

La Grande Danse
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Palladium

Speaker:
Linda Isabelle Francois Obas
XPression, Artist, Choreographer

Drummers: Jean Menesky Magloire, Ernst Junior Blanc, Jean Mary Brignol

‍

Get moving with a traditional Haitian movement and sound experience with live musicians: A Haitian dance masterclass for all!
‍
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 8

Registration Open
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Coffee & Tea
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Thera-LakAy
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
‍Palladium
‍
Linda Francois

Align your mind, body and spirit with Linda Francois through light mediation, stretching and yoga.

Rabòday Fit
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Congressional

Fitness class based on the hot Haitian genre "Rabòday" class open to all levels.

Haitian Ladies Marketplace Curated by Bien Abyé
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Ambassador
‍

Shop Haitian women-owned businesses for unique fashion, health and beauty, food products and lifestyle services.

National Haitian American Elected Officials Network Roundtable
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Empire Ballroom
‍

Roundtable Discussion: The National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) - The Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Florida (FL) - 20th, Democrat

18th Annual Haitian Ladies Brunch
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Regency

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

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.
‍

There’s more!

OMNI HOTEL
2500 CALVERT ST NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20008

Stay at our host hotel, the Omni Shoreham Hotel for a discounted nightly rate of $199!
*Valid until September 22nd.

Valet Parking is available at Omni Shoreham Hotel for $55/day per vehicle.

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.