Igniting Our Power 2024

National Gallery of Art (Optional & Offsite)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
National Gallery of Art

Kanitra Fletcher
Associate curator of African American and Afro-Diasporic art at the National Gallery of Art
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‍"Spirit & Strength: Modern Art from Haiti" – Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of contemporary Haitian art.

If you are attending the National Gallery of Art event on Friday and would like to reserve transportation, click here to Register For Bus Ride From Capital Hilton to Gallery.


Registration Open  
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Cocktail Reception & Cultural Showcase (Offsite)
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM 
Organization of American States (OAS)

Experience the warmth of Haitian hospitality with an evening of art, music, and culture.

Ambassador Louis Harold Joseph
Chargé d'Affaires a.i. - Embassy of the Republic of Haiti to the United States of America
‍
Mistress of Ceremony:
‍Thamar Harrigan
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Catered by
‍Chef Natacha Gomez
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Music by
‍DJ Steezy (Stanley Bertrand)


Dinner On Your Own & Cocktail at the OAS
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM‍

Registration Open
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Coat Room


‍Morning Wellness Yoga
7:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Senate

Instructor:
Ama Makeda
Yoga instructor & Artist, MAFLOW LLC


Coffee and Tea Service & Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Presidential Ballroom Foyer


‍Haitian Ladies Marketplace Curated by Bien Abyé
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
South American AB

Explore a curated selection of Haitian artisanal products, fashion, and unique creations.


Symposium - Main Ballroom Opens
8:45 AM - 9:15 AM
Presidential Ballroom


HLN Welcome by Board of Directors
Presidential Ballroom

Mistress of Ceremony:
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson
Vice President and Executive Producer Paramount Global

National Anthem Singer:
Donaldzie Théodore
Singer & Pianist


Kreyòl Essence Wellness Lounge - Open
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
New York

Simbi Duplan
‍Healer/Spiritual Practitioner at SIMBI

AMB Mobile Massage & Wellness Center


Special Remarks
Presidential Ballroom

Speakers:
Her Excellency, Mrs. Dominique Dupuy
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Haitians Living Abroad to the Government of Haiti
‍
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Sophia Pierrelus
Haitian Community Activist in Ohio, Founder of the New American Cultural Center (NACC)


Engaging with Haiti Panel
Empire Ballroom
‍
Facilitator of Conversation:
Monique Clesca
International Consultant, and Pro-Democracy Feminist Activist

Speakers:
Vélina Élysée Charlier
Member of Nou Pap Domi, Empress of Lakou Souvenans

Pascale Oriol
‍Founder and President of Vox Evolution

Danièle Magloire
Spokesperson for Kay Fanm (Women's House)
‍
Explore strategies for civic engagement and strengthening democratic processes.


‍Networking Lunch & Marketplace
11:50 AM - 1:00 PM
Congressional


‍HerStory
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Presidential Ballroom
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Moderator:
Martine St-Victor
General Manager at Edelman
‍
Speaker:
Danielle Cadet
Media Executive, Host & Producer


Our Bodies, Our Selves
2:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Presidential Ballroom
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Moderator:
Dr. Sabine Elisée
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician, CEO and Founder of Cornerstone Medical Group
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Speakers:
Mélodie Benjamin
Psychologist and Agent for Peace at Ti Souf and Fondation IDEO
‍
Liliane Nerette-Louis
Folk Storyteller, President of Just the Way it Was, Inc.


Haitian Ventures: From Local Roots to Global Reach
2:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Congressional
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Moderator:
Tamara Béliard Rodriguez
Senior Vice President of IslandTV, Senior VP and CFO of Fatima Group
‍‍
Speakers:
Daphné Valmond Bourgoin
Executive Director, Tisaksuk/ Atelier Tisaksuk
‍‍
Corinne Joachim Sanon Symietz
Co-Founder and CEO of Askanya Chocolates

Sandra Hollant Russo
CEO of Sandilou Textile, Femmes en Democratie, Chambre des Metiers et de l'Artisanat, PROFAMIL


Preserving Haitian Identity Across Borders (NextGen Panel)
2:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Federal A

Moderators:
Coralie Nader
Founder of Kòmsi Like, HLN NextGen Committee
‍
Christine Cherestal
High School student, HLN NextGen Committee
‍‍
Speakers:
Dr. Charlene Désir
Director of The Empowerment Network Global, Professor at Nova Southeastern University
‍
Wynnie Lamour-Quansah
Founder & Managing Director, The Haitian Creole Language Institute of New York
‍
Madjeen Isaac
Visual Artist


Building Political Power
2:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Federal B

Speakers:
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
‍
Arielle Dominique
Haitian Ladies Network, Co-Founder and
Haitian American Foundation For Democracy, Executive Director

Moderator:
Karen André
CEO, People First Strategies


Networking & Marketplace
3:35 PM - 4:00 PM
South American AB


Closing Plenary
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Presidential Ballroom


Networking Break
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Capital Terrace


Grounded in Heritage, Rooted in Rhythm
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Congressional

Speakers:
Arielle Dominique
Co-founder at HLN, Executive Director of Haitian American Foundation for Democracy
‍
Dr. Charlene Désir
Director of The Empowerment Network Global, Professor at Nova Southeastern University
‍
Vélina Elysée Charlier
Member / Empress, Nou Pap Dòmi / Lakou Souvnans

Linda Isabelle François Obas
‍Choreographer/ Sociocultural Activist, Founder of XPression Ayiti

Riva Nyri Précil
Artist, Founder of Tout Se Pa

Join a conversation that sets the stage and provides historical context for La Grande Danse, exploring Haitian heritage and African traditions. This experience will help ground us in our roots, leaving Haitian ladies renewed and deeply connected to their cultural identity.


‍La Grande Danse
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Congressional

Speakers:
Riva Nyri Précil
Artist, Founder of Tout Se Pa
‍
Linda Isabelle François Obas
Choreographer/ Sociocultural Activist , Founder of XPression Ayiti

Experience the rhythm and beauty of Haitian traditional dance in this lively class.


Haitian Ladies After Dark
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Federal A

Speaker:
Dr. Suzie Richardson Armas
‍COO, New Health Community Centers

A safe space for conversations on relationships and intimacy.


Dinner On Your Own
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Dinner not covered by the Haitian Ladies Network.

Registration Open
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Coat Room


Coffee & Tea Service
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Capital Terrace


Rabòday Fit
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Senate
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Instructor:
Christ Maïka Joachim
‍Dancer, Xpressionayiti
‍
Groove to the fast-paced rhythms of Haitian compas and hip-hop as you get energized for the day ahead.
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Advocacy Workshop with the Haitian American Foundation for Democracy (HAFFD) in collaboration with the Haitian Neighborhood Center, Haitian Bridge Alliance, and Haiti Response Coalition
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 
Federal A

Guerline Jozef
Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance

Sophia Pierrelus
Haitian Community Activist in Ohio, Founder of the New American Cultural Center (NACC)

Gepsie Morisset-Metellus
Co-founder and Executive Director of the Haitian Neighborhood Center Sant La

Corinne Paul
Senior Policy Advisor for Civil and Political Rights at American Jewish World Service

Tamara Béliard Rodriguez
Senior Vice President of IslandTV, Senior VP and CFO of Fatima Group

Explore strategies for civic engagement and strengthening democratic processes.

‍
Haitian Ladies Marketplace Curated by Bien Abyé
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
South American AB

Last chance to shop and explore unique Haitian goods, fashion, and artisanal products.


Kreyòl Essence Wellness Lounge
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
New York

Simbi Duplan
Healer/Spiritual Practitioner at SIMBI

AMB Mobile Massage & Wellness Center


Shaping the Future: Vice Mayor Estime-Irvin on Leadership and Progress for Haitian American Women
10:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Federal AB

Speaker:
Mary Estimé-Irvin
Chairwoman of National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) ‍

Esther Charlestin

Women Can Shape Haiti’s Tomorrow: a Talk with Women Activists

‍Speakers:
Danièle Magloire
Spokesperson for Kay Fanm (Women's House)
‍
Lovely Jean Louis
‍Lawyer and Member of the Commission of Women Lawyers of the Bar of Port-au-Prince
‍
Nikette Lormeus

A civic engagement focused discussion with leaders shaping the future of the Haitian American community.


19th Annual Haitian Ladies Brunch
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Presidential Ballroom

Mistress of Ceremony:
Martine St-Victor
General Manager at Edelman
‍
Keynote Speaker:
Stella Jean
Fashion Designer & Activist
‍
Special Remarks:
Garcelle Beauvais
Actress, Producer, Best-Selling Author

DJ Kemissa
CEO CARICOM office in Haiti/Au Top Kemissa Entertainment / Université of Versailles France

Join us for the 19th annual Haitian Ladies Brunch celebrating sisterhood, culture, and empowerment, with inspiring conversations and special guests.