Dr. Maria Ilcheva

Dr. Maria Ilcheva is the Assistant Director of Planning and Operations for the Metropolitan Center. She has experience and responsibility in a number of areas critical to the Metropolitan Center’s operations, including serving as Principal Investigator and/or Project Manager on a number of contracts and grants, with many of them including a public involvement element. Dr. Ilcheva has over ten years of experience in working on various economic development, social and behavioral projects. She serves as Subject Matter Expert in data analytics and behavioral research.

Thomas Craemer

Professor Thomas Craemer has used both traditional as well as new methods in survey research to investigate the psychology of race. His interest in racial attitudes was shaped by the experience of growing up struggling with his native Germany’s racist history. He couldn’t understand how a democratic country could turn fascist and violently racist within the span of a few years.

After moving from Germany to the United States, he began using reaction time measures to tap people’s implicit racial attitudes and published several papers based on that research. His paper “Implicit Closeness to Blacks, Support for Affirmative Action, Slavery Reparations, and Vote Intentions for Barack Obama in the 2008 Elections” received the International Society of Political Psychology’s Roberta Sigel Award in 2010 and was published in 2014 in Basic and Applied Social Psychology (vol. 36, pp. 413-424). His work on implicit racial attitudes has also appeared in Political Psychology (2008, Vol. 29, Nr. 3, pp. 407-436; 2010, Vol. 31, Nr. 6, pp. 797-829), among other outlets.

Craemer incorporates the results of his research to engage students in the classroom. “I use my work as examples to illustrate how you can combine traditional and new surveying techniques,” he says. He also enjoys engaging with students outside the classroom. Between 2007 and 2012, he accompanied the Department (now School) of Public Policy graduate students to do research and volunteer for Hurricane Katrina relief in New Orleans. The research ultimately resulted in a paper on racial disparities in Hurricane Katrina relief, published in the Public Administration Review in 2010 (Vol. 70, Nr. 3, pp. 367-377). In 2012 and 2013, Craemer took groups of students to Haiti to volunteer for earthquake reconstruction and conduct research on racial stereotypes in the US media coverage of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

In 2015, Craemer published a paper on Estimating Slavery Reparations (Social Science Quarterly, Vol. 96, Nr. 2, pp. 639-655). As a result, he was invited to a 2016 conference on Reparations for Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Colonialism in the Gambia. His presentation at that conference led to a publication regarding International Reparations for Slavery and the Slave Trade in the Journal of Black Studies (Vol. 49, Nr. 7, pp. 694-713). A “Comparative Analysis of Reparations for the Holocaust and for the Transatlantic Slave Trade” is currently forthcoming in the Review of Black Political Economy. His engagement with the topic of reparations has led to a pro-bono consulting role for the GU272 Isaac Hawkins Legacy Group. The group represents 200 direct descendants of Isaac Hawkins, one of 272 enslaved Americans sold in 1838 by Georgetown University to save the institution from financial ruin. Craemer’s work on reparations has been cited in Newsweek (Douglas Main, August 19, 2015), the Washington Post (Susan Svrluga, January 17, 2018), and the Wall Street Journal (Jo Craven McGinty, February 15, 2019).

Carl Juste

Under the threat of persecution, Haitian-born Carl–Philippe Juste and his politically active family were forced to flee their homeland in 1965, eventually settling in Miami’s Haitian community. Since 1991, he has worked as a photojournalist for The Miami Herald.

Juste has covered national and international stories for the Herald, including assignments in Haiti, Cuba, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. In addition, he has worked on various documentary projects for the History Miami Museum, including At the Crossroads: Afro-Cuban Orisha Arts in Miami (2001), South American Musical Traditions in Miami (2002), and Haitian Community Arts: Images by Iris Photo Collective (2006-2007). All were funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Juste has been a guest lecturer for various national and international organizations and universities. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and a shared Pulitzer Prize as a member of the Miami Herald staff. His work has been exhibited in Cuba, Dominican Republic and the U.S. As part of his ongoing independent work, in 1998, Juste co-founded Iris Photo Collective.

In 2016, Juste won a prestigious Knight Arts Challenge grant to complete Havana, Haiti: Two Cultures, One Community, a book and exhibit of photographs and essays about Cubans’ and Haitians’ lives and shared humanity. This project is further supported by two Knight Miami Arts Champions: columnist and author Dave Barry and Perez Art Museum Director Franklin Sirmans, along with a grant from the Green Family Foundation.

Severe Linvincoeur

WSRF is the first and only Haitian-owned radio station in the nation. Boasting 10,000 watts of AM power, it packs a lot of juice. Every Monday through Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. on his show, Explosion, Severe Livincoeur uses those airwaves to promote all of the Haitian music industry's rising stars. Monsieur Livincoeur doesn't just spin, though. He spikes his shows with interviews and discusses the best bands, hottest clubs, and latest tracks in lively Kreyol with a rhythm all its own. And his show's perfectly engineered and technically sound audio quality far outshines the competition.

Carel Pedre

Carel Pedre is one of the most respected and well-known media personalities in Haiti with over 25 years of experience. He is the CEO of Chokarella, one of the largest media companies in Haiti that use creative storytelling to inspire positive social change. Carel is passionate about making a difference in the world, and he does this through his work with various charities. As a brand ambassador, Carel represents some of the biggest names in Haitian business. Carel wants to use his voice and influence to uplift others.

Merline Thermora

Merline “Mimi” Thermora Saint Juste humble beginnings began in Port Au Prince Haiti. She left her beloved native land at the age of 15 for the U.S. where she first moved to Boston, Mass. where she completed High School.  Now long after that, Merline moved to Florida to live with her mother where contemplated going into the medical field as it was her parent’s ultimate wish for her. However, as a young girl, Merline was known for being a fashionista.

While in Florida, Merline enrolled in school with a major in Fashion Merchandising. Her academic career in Fashion Merchandizing stirred up a desire for her to birth her own fashion brand and online boutique called “Mimi’s BoutiQ”. Mimi’s BoutiQ became a rapid success in Southern Miami.  Merline’s well- acclaimed fashion show was first hosted in 2011 and has become an annual event not only in Miami but in New York City as well. Mimi also had a chance to participate in Couture Fashion Week in NYC twice where she was able to work behind the scenes with designers and models.

In 2016, Merline and team hosted the first Mimi’s BoutiQ “For the Women by the Women Brunch” where well known professional and artists have been invited to speak on important topics relative to women such as finances, business innovativeness, and health topics.

She has also built her brand with her online shop designed especially for plus size women since she noticed it was always a struggle for them to find something beautiful and stylish to wear. She didn’t stop there; she is also a stylist and has worked with countless of men and women in our community by providing them the perfect wardrobe for any occasion.

Merline received several awards for her hard work in the community and one of them being YOPro 20 under 40.  This award is selected for young professionals under 40. She is also the Director of Conference & In-person Event Planning o NAAHP, an annual conference for the Haitian Americans. To add more, she received an Award from the Prestigious Award, recently received an award from Ayiti Community Trust Gala and has been featured in countless of magazines.

Merline seeks strength daily to expand her brand and to help others.

Wilkine Brutus

Wilkine Brutus is the Palm Beach County Reporter, producer and guest host for WLRN, South Florida's NPR station. The award-winning, Haitian American journalist produces stories on topics surrounding local news, investigative news, current affairs, arts and culture — for radio and web.

Brutus and his colleagues are the recipients of the 2021 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence, the first time the station has won the award at the national level.

Before joining WLRN, Brutus worked as a Digital Reporter for the Palm Beach Post, producing print and video-based profiles of artists and entrepreneurs in Palm Beach County. Prior to that, he was an educator and freelance journalist who had amassed millions of views on his YouTube channel during his four-year stint in South Korea.

He's the host of "A Boat A Voyage," a 5-episode podcast that explores his Haitian mother’s account of her 1980s refugee experience in Miami.

Brutus is a guest faculty member at the Poynter Institute and serves as a mentor for SXSW’s Media & Journalism program. He earned his bachelor's degree in Multimedia Studies from Florida Atlantic University.

Work and guest appearances include PBS NewsHour, NPR and WBUR's Here & Now, PRX's The World, Philadelphia Inquirer, WPTV NewsChannel 5, WUCF TV PBS, Ebony Magazine, Okayafrica, L’Union Suite, and other media outlets.

Dr. Marcheley Adam

Marcheley Adam, Ph.D., LCSW is an intuitive, compassionate, resourceful, and analytical therapist specializing in social work practice, family therapy, education, and clinical consulting. A native of Miami, Florida, Dr. Adam has more than 18 years of experience in social work including child welfare and mental health. She began her career as a Department of Children and Families case manager. After 10 years in social services, Dr. Adam began and has maintained her work as a clinical therapist and mental health consultant for several community and educational organizations in South Florida. She is also a visiting professor at Florida Atlantic University who focuses on human development, trauma and resiliency, and clinical practice.

Throughout her expansive career, Dr. Adam has remained passionate about building trusting relationships with children and their families, advocating for the most vulnerable and disenfranchised populations, fostering inclusive environments, and collaborating with mental health professionals, educators, and social workers to provide quality services to children and families.

Dr. Adam earned an undergraduate degree in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University, a master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University, and her PhD in Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Adam’s doctoral dissertation focused on parental caregiving's impact on young adult couples.

Juliette Fabien

Juliette Fabien joined The Children's Trust in September 2006. She brings extensive experience in government procurement, contract management, case management, operation management and community outreach. 

Her responsibilities with The Trust involve managing the health team and coordinating the functions necessary to assure the transition of health programs from the development phase to the implementation/performance phase, while assuring all contracted services are in accordance with relevant regulations.

Fabien holds a MBA with concentration in health services from NOVA Southeastern University and a B.A. from Florida International University, and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Miami-Dade College.

Dr. Josette Gregoire

Dr. Josée Grégoire is a district level Executive Director with the Pre-K Program for Children with Disabilities in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She has held various positions in this district for over 25 years. She is also an Adjunct Professor at St. Thomas University. Dr. Gregoire holds a doctorate in Special Education, the first Haitian American to do so, at Florida International University (FIU). A lifelong advocate for children’s issues and education, she has been a presenter on these topics at numerous conferences both locally and nationally, including: The National Institute for People with Disabilities, The Mayor’s Children Summit, FIU’s College of Education Research Conference, Hebron Church and the National Black Child Association. In 2013, she presented at the Council for Exceptional Children conference in San Antonio, Texas. She subsequently published a research article in Multiple Voices for Ethnically Diverse Exceptional Learners in 2015: a publication of Council for Exceptional Children and was a panel member for One Heritage: The State of Black Miami Forum in 2016.

 Her previous community involvement includes being part of the inaugural class of Miami Fellows Initiate, a leadership development program of the Miami Foundation. She served 10 years as a gubernatorial appointee on the Board of the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade. She has also served on several other boards including the Jessie Trice Center, University of Miami Advisory Board for Early Childhood Special Education, Florida International University’s (FIU) Special Education Advisory Board, Church World Services Inc., Haitian American Scholarship Fund, Inc. and Association of Haitian Educators of Dade, the Emerging Transformational Leadership Program (ETLP) University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Mailman Center for Child Development, Holy Family Church and the Sant La Fellows Program Advisory Board. She was a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. 

Nadie Mondestin

Nadie Mondestin a local advocate for the Haitian Community is the CEO and Executive Director of the Haitian Youth and Community Center of Florida, Inc. (HYCCF). A state-of-the-art educational service for children and families.

Educated with a Bachelor’s Degree in the Liberal Arts from Mount Ida College. She also carries a Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University where she furthered her studies in Instructional Leadership in Education.

 Prior to Haitian Youth, Nadie interned in the Cambridge Public School Systems of Massachusetts. She later became a Site Director for a Cambridge Head Start facility. And then eventually worked her way to becoming an Early Childhood Service Manager at Family Christian Association of America (FCAA), in South Florida. During her time with the FCAA she worked as an Assessment Measures & Outcome Coordinator for the Miami Dade Community Action Agency and then with the Early Learning Coalition of Miami Dade County and Monroe.

Currently, Mrs. Mondestin is overseeing 4 sites with Haitian Youth that provide comprehensive services to children and families, specifically with the Haitian immigrant population in both South Florida and Haiti. She serves on several Non-Profit board. And also is a member of NAEYC, Florida Head Start Research committee, Caribbean Studies Association, Haitian Studies Association, Barry University Community Engagement Awards Committee and the Miami Dade College ECE Advisory Committee.

Dr. Sabrina Tassy-Lewis

Dr. Sabrina Tassy-Lewis is the Early Head Start Manager for Miami-Dade County’s Head Start and Early Head Start program. She over 12 years of experience in the Head Start as an executive director, mental health consultant, and program manager. She is an experienced Licensed Psychologist and Adjunct Professor who specializes in early childhood and family services. She received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University and holds certifications in Non-profit leadership from Columbia University and Florida International University. She is passionate about the Head Start program and its ability to change the trajectory of families.

Leonie Hermantin

Leonie  M. Hermantin  was born in Haiti and raised in the US.  She has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector having worked in the field for over 25 years. Leonie Hermantin currently serves as the Director of  Special Projects at Sant La, Haitian Neighborhood Center, a social service agency, serving South Florida’s Haitian community.

Ms. Hermantin holds a Juris Doctorate from University of California at Berkeley as well as a Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning.  Miami has been her home for the past 30  years.

Mirva Cadet

Mirva Cadet is the Founder/President of Cornerstone Global Collaborative, LLC. (CGC), a consulting and coaching firm working to improve outcomes for children and families. CGC provides support to community-based organizations and funders. 

She is an accomplished administrator with over 20 years of experience in non-profit executive level management. She began her career in Tallahassee as a Clinical Coordinator at DISC Village-Greenville Hills Academy, an all-boys mental health facility for adjudicated youth. She then made her way back to South Florida, to advance her career as a Therapist, Program Developer, and a Non-profit Executive. Eventually she was offered the position of Assistant Director for the City of North Miami Beach Police Department Gang Reduction Program, where she further developed her skills in working with High-risk populations, Non-profit Management, and Fund Development. Later, she served as the Chief Operations Officer for Gang Alternative, Inc. for over eleven years. As COO for Gang Alternative, Inc., her responsibilities included management of the organizational structure, programs, budget, human resource, as well as establishing, nurturing, and maintaining relationships with employees and key stakeholders. She also works as a Director of Program for the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County where she oversees the Provider and Professional Development Department, Capacity Building Initiatives, Contract Performance, and provides support in advancing racial and ethnic equity to reduce disparities in services. She continues to develop new professionals in the field as an Adjunct Professor for Florida International University College of Arts, Sciences and Education, School of Education and Human Development. She is also a Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

In 2014, Rep. Frederica Wilson of the 24th District recognized Ms. Cadet in the Congressional Records as woman of the year for her hard-work and dedication to her community.  She accredits her effective leadership skills to her experience in direct services and her passion for underserved communities.  Ms. Cadet possesses a Master of Science and an Education Specialist Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a concentration in Mental Health, Multicultural Issues, Assessment and Evaluation from Florida State University.  She also holds certificates in DEI and Inclusive leadership from the University of South Florida.

Since the inception of Cornerstone Global Collaborative, she has assisted several non-profit and for-profit organizations in their efforts to sustain and expand their services.  CGC works with a variety of organizations in Miami-Dade County and Broward County, both for-profit and non-profit agencies as mentioned above. CGC’s work with most of these agencies has focused on organizational development, staffing and culture, Diversity, equity, and Inclusion, and continuous quality improvement. CGC consultants work diligently with the leadership and management staff to help them make the connection between high quality services and employee satisfaction. The goal is to help organizations create an inclusive environment that promotes work-life blend and fosters creativity and productivity.

James Dominique

James Dominique is currently the proud Principal of Miami Edison Senior. His vision is to ensure every student has a Post-Secondary Plan and broaden every student horizon to select a college major or a career. His passion is to give back to the community that helped shape him to who he is today.

James was born in Haiti and came to the United States at the age of 13. He completed his elementary in a catholic school where he still holds the values and principles that he was taught. He attended Edison Middle School and graduated Miami Edison Senior in 1994. He earned his Associate Degree at MDCC in 1996. He furthered his education at Florida International University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 1998, a Master of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling in 2000, then a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership From Barry University in 2002.

He started his career in education in 1998 as a Pool Substitute Teacher at Earlington Heights Elementary. He taught Physical Education at Biscayne Gardens Elementary. He taught ESOL at North Miami Adult Education. He worked in multiple schools as a guidance counselor. He became an Assistant Principal at Thomas Jefferson in 2007. In 2012, he became an Assistant Principal at Miami Edison Senior where he assisted the school grade from a D to a C. He then became the Vice-Principal of Miami Edison Senior in 2014 where he assisted the school to a higher school grade to a B. He was highly involved in the community and helped to connect a bridge between the community and the school. He became the principal of Toussaint L’Ouverture Elementary 1n 2021 and now propel to be the leader at Miami Edison Senior.

James continues to serve the community where he grew up in and living his dream to be a leader and a servant at the school he dearly loves.

Dr. Gastride Harrigan

Dr. Gastride Harrigan has been an educator for over 20 years as a mathematics teacher, Assistant Principal, and currently as a High Principal. In addition, Dr. Harrigan is a Professor of Education at Broward College, Florida Atlantic University, and Colorado State University Global. He specializes in supporting teachers and school leaders to build trusting relationships with students and improving the culture and climate of schools to optimize staff and students’ experience. He has extensive experience leading and instructing educators at all levels and has been recognized for his expertise, innovative leadership, student engagement, and academic achievement strategies. He frequently speaks at national conferences on leadership, curriculum, school culture and climate, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices.

He is also the host of The School Leader’s Podcast. The podcast provides bite-size tips, ideas, and PD for emerging and current school leaders. In 2021, he was named Principal of the Year by Learning for Success, Inc. and nominated for the Principal of the Year in 2023 in Broward County Public Schools, FL.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership K-12 from Florida Atlantic University and a Doctorate in Education in Administrator Leadership for Teaching & Learning from Walden University. He is married to Deborah, and they have 2 sons and 1 daughter.

Marline Paris Lawson

CRAMS Consulting is led by industry veteran, Marline Paris-Lawson. Marline’s credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Barry University. She is a dynamic, passionate, results-oriented bilingual professional with over 20 years of combined experience in education, social services, and human resources.

In addition to the many accolades she has received over the years, Ms. Paris-Lawson was recently named among South Florida’s Top Black Educators (2015) by Legacy Magazine. She is best known for her passion for motivating students to tap into their inner selves, work to their full potential and earn their way to college. Her sound academic tracking strategies, coupled with innovative student advocacy and engaging motivational workshops are contributing factors that have resulted in over 800 at-risk students being accepted to the college of their choice in the last eight years.

Jeanne Petit

Jeanne Petit is a Parent Trainer, who presents workshops and programs to Creole-speaking families. Jeanne has over 15 years of experience with all aspects of disability from diagnosis, inclusion and living independently, and more ... Jeanne’s personal experience along with a multicultural approach to seeking solutions helps her become an involved, innovative, parenting parent. seeking out resources along with members of her community.

Lesly Prudent

Lesly Prudent holds an AA degree in Liberal Arts from Kingsborough Community College (CUNY), a Bachelor's degree in Education from Hunter College (CUNY), a Master's degree from in Exceptional Education from Saint Thomas University, the equivalent of a specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Nova University and State certification in Administration. Mr. Prudent's professional career began right after graduation from Hunter College (CUNY) where he was selected as the Intramural Director, and Varsity Tennis Coach for both the men's and women's teams. Five years later, he followed the sun to Florida where he established a remarkable presence as a master teacher, dedicated assistant principal and community activist. Mr. Prudent's competence and hard work did not go unnoticed. In June 1994, he had the honor of being selected as the first Haitian American principal in the State of Florida. Most of Mr. Prudent's tenure as a principal took place at North Miami Adult Education Center. In addition to increasing the literacy rate of the citizens of North Miami, Mr. Prudent's program was recognized as the largest and most productive program in Miami–Dade County and the State. The workforce component of the program was so valued by the City of North Miami, that over an eleven year period, three different Mayors gave Mr. Prudent a key to the City. During that same period, Mr. Prudent received four certificates of appreciation from the mayor of Miami-Dade County four certificates of appreciation from the mayor of the City of North Miami, and seventy other plaques and certificates from businesses, local churches, civic and non-profit organizations. After eleven years as principal of the number one adult education program in the State, in June 2005, Mr. Prudent was promoted, first as District Director for Miami-Dade County Public Schools in charge of Non-Instructional Staffing, later, as District Director for Recruitment. Mr. Prudent retired early from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, in 2008, after 25 years of faithful service. After retirement, He founded and still manages Lespri Enterprises Inc., a marketing firm that specializes in helping institutions and business entities secure their market shares in the Haitian community. As a long-time resident of North Miami, Mr. Prudent actively contributes to improving the quality of life in the City. He keeps informed of the issues and has volunteered to serve on several advisory Boards including the Board of Adjustment in which he served as the vice-chair, the Mayor's taskforce, the Planning Board, the Emergency Preparedness Board, and the North Miami Foundation for Senior Citizens.

Dr. Shirley Plantin

Dr. Shirley Plantin is the Chief Executive Consultant for U-Turn Youth Consulting. She is the author of The Backstory of a New Reality and its supplemental Workbook. Dr. Plantin facilitates trainings for Institutions and Systems unmasking the Backstories and the inter-sectionality that leads to the school-to-prison pipeline, the mistrust in law enforcement, and ultimately to the gun violence in the streets of America. Dr. Plantin currently serves on Florida Police Chiefs Association’s Subcommittee on Accountability and Societal Change, addressing systemic injustices and racial inequities within law enforcement. She also serves as a Commissioner on the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Continuing Justice Reform Commission (CJRC). She is a Florida state advisor for Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and a member of the Florida Gang Investigators Association.

Dr. Plantin is the former Director of several at-risk youth prevention programs, with vari-ous specializations ranging from Substance Abuse, HIV/STI, and Gangs. She has provided years of intervention and advocacy for youth and families dealing with complex institutions such as Law Enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Department of Chil-dren & Family (DCF), and the Department of Corrections (DOC).

Dr. Plantin has been recognized locally and nationally for her leadership, vision, commit-ment, and dedication to issues regarding youth and gun violence, and the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Most notable are the recognitions from Delta Epsilon Sigma and the National Criminal Justice Association and Legacy Magazine recognized her as 1 of 50 Most Powerful & Influential People in Business and Industry in South Florida.

Dr. Plantin holds an Executive Juris Doctorate from Concord School of Law, a master’s degree in management with a specialization in Justice Administration, and a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in Justice.

Whitney Lubin

Whitney Lubin is a software engineer living in Miami. She has spent the  bulk of my professional career working with businesses to find technology solutions, and as a community advocate and mentor.

Whitney Lubin is a Product Manager at Microsoft, 2019 Code for America Fellow, 2001 Center for Black Innovation Community Builder Fellow, Executive Director at Code for South, President at Haitians in Tech, a content creator, writer, and entrepreneur.

Getro Naissance

Well-qualified Full Stack Developer and respectful self-motivator, gifted at finding reliable solutions for software issues. Driven to wear many programming hats with expertise in creating everything from new applications to new operating systems.

J.P. Vertil

Jean-Pierre Vertil, hailing from Haiti, pursued Electrical Engineering and Economics at the University of Notre Dame. Driven by a desire to uplift his community, he established initiatives that aided Haitian graduates in securing job placements at local companies and enrolling in top US institutions. His professional journey took off with Sigora Haiti, where he innovated a mobile app to enhance meter inspections. Later, as the inaugural software engineer at Sigora Solar, he spearheaded a dynamic team of engineers. After earning his MBA from Stanford Business School, he co-founded Gaya, aiming to transform the insurance sector with AI. Throughout, Jean-Pierre has seamlessly blended technology with social impact, championing education and empowerment.

Doris Jean-Pierre

Claslyne Doris Jean Pierre is the Founder and CEO of AccessBridge. As a First-Generation, Doris experienced the many challenges early careerists face first-hand. This led her to found AccessBridge in 2018 to help early talent get a leg up and succeed in healthcare leadership. Prior to AccessBridge, she has worked and interned at various healthcare entities which include Boston Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Health Plan of the Northwest (KPNW) and more.

To extend the work of Access Bridge, she's participated in startup accelerators and incubators such as Founder Gym, We Tha Plug, and most recently the MIT Hacking Racism Hackathon.

Doris holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Health Services Administration from Florida International University.

Matthew Anderson

Matthew S. Anderson serves as Executive Director of Mosaic Miami. Matt has worked for years within the private sector and across a number of non-profit organizations to design, fund and implement programs focused on ensuring that Miami continues to be a beacon of opportunity for all. Before his current role, Matt served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Mosaic Miami, where he was actively engaged with several of Mosaic Miami’s key programs. He has also previously served on the boards of other leading organizations, including United Way, the Ayiti Community Trust, Seraphic Fire, the Foundation for New Education Initiatives, and Miami Jewish Health Foundation. A graduate of Leadership Florida’s Connect Florida Class VII, Matt has received recognition from leading organizations, including Florida International University’s Center for Leadership’s 2017 Emerging Leader Award, The Education Fund Public School Achievement Award, the Haitian Chamber of Commerce Top 20 Under 40, Miami Today’s Unsung Hero, and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Rising Star. He has also helped lead a number of community efforts, including as Co-Chair of United Way Young Leaders, Barton G. Kids Hear Now Foundation’s Run Over Hear 5K, Founder and Past Co-Chair of the Beacon Council’s New Leader’s Taskforce, and as a member of other organizations, including the Possee Foundation’s Leadership Circle, the Florida International University President’s Council, the Lowe Art Museum Public Outreach Committee, and the Wolfsonian-FIU’s Director’s Circle. Matt graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, with a concentration in Political Science and International Relations, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Tamara B. Rodriguez

South Florida is home to Tamara B. Rodriguez-- entrepreneur, children’s book author, impact speaker and Haitian American maverick, blazing many trails locally, nationally and internationally.

Tamara, an accountant with over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance serves as CFO of the Fatima Group and Centuric. As Chief Financial Officer, she is responsible for a conglomerate of thriving organizations across a wide range of industries including shipping and warehousing, tourism and media in Haiti, the US and the Caribbean.

Tamara is the influential co-owner of Island TV (A Fatima Group Company), a Miami based television network with over 25 years of on-air news and entertainment programing. Island TV boasts a South Florida viewership of over 400,000 households, and access to millions through its diverse digital platforms. Under Tamara’s leadership, Island TV now extends to 15 island markets throughout the Caribbean. Island TV’s programming serves as a platform to educate, inform, and engage Americans of Haitian and Caribbean descent around civic, cultural, and political issues. It is an obligatory destination for all who seek political office , businesses and local institutions reaching out to Haitian Americans.

Tamara has impacted the Caribbean community in meaningful ways and has always kept one thing in mind--elevating and celebrating Caribbean heritage and culture in every endeavor. In that spirit, Tamara co-founded the Caribbean Community Cares Foundation to positively influence the Caribbean story.

Tamara authored two children's books — Hair to the Queen! and Teo the Great — which open the door to a comfortable place where families can discuss difficult subjects.

Serving as a board member on several local organizations such as Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center and Junior Achievement of South Florida, Tamara is passionate about being an agent of impact. In 2023, Tamara was appointed to the Export-Import Bank of the United States' Advisory Council on Advancing Women in Business.

Her deep concerns for her beloved Haiti, have compelled her to seek solutions grounded in her belief that a strong Haitian American Diaspora will have the power and the influence to shape and improve US policies in Haiti.  She co-founded the Haitian American Foundation for Democracy to advocate for policies that foster democracy, human rights, economic development and inclusion in both Haiti and the US.

Sandy Dorsainvil

Sandy Dorsainvil is the principal of Maximillian Consultants Inc. (MCI), a company dedicated to preserving the cultural identity of all Americans. MCI curates and produces events and programs that embrace the contributions of diverse communities while preserving their native cultures. Sandy's expertise lies in examining how community landscapes relate to the ecology, cultural heritage, and well-being of neighborhoods, closing urban-cultural gaps, and making urban spaces better places to live, work, and play.

Previously, Sandy served as the manager of the City of Miami's Little Haiti Cultural Complex, where she programmed a 33,000 sq ft facility encompassing a theater, fine art gallery, dance studios, tech and art labs, and the Caribbean Marketplace. She has also produced successful special events globally and is the founder of Sounds of Little Haiti, a monthly music festival celebrating Haitian culture. Sandy expanded this initiative by establishing the Rara Institute of Music, a program teaching students to play traditional Haitian rara instruments and forming the Little Haiti Rara Orchestra.

In addition to her work in the cultural sector, Sandy has held various roles in community engagement, real estate, education, and nonprofit organizations. She has served as a community engagement specialist and commercial sales contractor for Metro 1 Properties, worked with the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition, and held positions at Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, EcoTech Visions Foundation, and Broward County Public Schools.

Sandy holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Howard University and has over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector, specializing in cultural events. She is actively involved in several organizations, including the Black Professionals Network (BPN), where she serves as a board member, and the Haitian American Professionals Coalition (HAPC), where she was the past chairman. Sandy also sits on the Miami Dade County Art in Public Spaces Trust Professional Advisory Committee and serves as an executive board member for the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and AIRIE- Artist in Residence in the Everglades.

As an efficient and effective program facilitator, Sandy brings a deep understanding of Caribbean culture, particularly Haiti, to her work. She excels at generating interest in events and campaigns while raising awareness for important causes. Sandy's programs are fiscally sound and successful. Outside of her professional endeavors, she takes pride in being a devoted mother to her two children, Andrew and Fortune "Bella."

In summary, Sandy Dorsainvil is a highly accomplished professional with a passion for preserving cultural heritage, fostering community engagement, and creating impactful programs. Her extensive experience, leadership, and dedication make her an exceptional candidate for recognition and support.

James Loiseau

Pastor and Director of Community Engagement at Tabernacle of Glory.

Paul Christian Namphy

Paul Christian Namphy is the Lead Organizer and Political Director at FANM (formerly Fanm Ayisyen nan Miami, now the Family Action Network Movement). Mr. Namphy brings to the table more than twenty years of professional experience in Haiti and in S. Florida, in the decentralized emergency coordination, organizing, & advocacy fields. Areas of focus have included community and gender empowerment, self- determination, democratic confederalism, water & the environment, & the fight to end cholera in Haiti.

FANM’s Advocacy team have spear-headed organizing efforts around fights including the struggles for immigrant rights, Little Haiti community empowerment, and Haitian led solutions in Haiti.

Santra Denis

A South Florida native, Santra is the President and Founder of Avanse Ansanm, an organization that preserves culture and builds economic and political power in South Florida’s Haitian-American communities among Haitian-American Millennials. Ms. Denis has developed her own activism as a feminist, an anti-racist, anti-classist community organizer and is committed to centering Black and Immigrant  BIPOC community leadership and racial justice in progressive movements. Ms. Denis is also the Executive Director of the Miami Workers Center, a power-building, member-led organization, organizing working-class care workers, tenants, women, and families for the rights, respect, and resources that we need and deserve. Miami Workers Center, founded in 1999, has a rich history of fighting to save public housing from demolition and most recently won a Tenants Bill of Rights in 2022, and $2.9 million for Eviction Diversion 2023.  Ms. Denis is first generation Haitian-American. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s in Health Science and from Florida International University with a Master of Public Health in Policy and Management. Ms. Denis is a lover of all people and her life’s mission is to dismantle systems of oppression for the liberation of all people.

Patrick Gaspard is the president and chief executive officer of the Center for American Progress and the chief executive officer of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Patrick Gaspard was a key figure in President Barack Obama’s administration and held a number of prominent positions during Obama’s two terms in office, including serving as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of South Africa in the second term.

From the fall 2011 until the spring 2013, Gaspard served as executive director of the Democratic National Committee, where he steered the national party’s role in reelecting the president and oversaw a $300 million budget and 500 staff.

From 2009 until 2011, he was assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Political Affairs. He also served as the associate director of personnel for the Obama transition and the national political director for the historic 2008 campaign.

Gaspard most recently served as the president of the Open Society Foundations (OSF), one of the largest private philanthropies in the world. He first joined the foundation as its global vice president, responsible for its regional programs across five continents and its global advocacy strategy in multiple world capitals. He quickly became president during his first year in OSF in 2017 and went on to serve in that role for four years. As president, he managed and set the strategy for a $1.4 billion dollar budget and a staff of 1,600.

During his tenure, he confronted significant threats to open societies around the globe, including the rise of authoritarian regimes and the spread of COVID-19 worldwide. In 2020, Gaspard conceptualized and stewarded Open Society’s urgent contribution of $200 million in investments to support essential workers and other communities hit hardest by COVID-19. He also shaped the foundation’s $220 million commitment to civil rights groups in the wake of the national reckoning on race following the murder of George Floyd.

During his tenure as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, from 2013 to 2016, he led over 1,000 staff and an annual budget of more than $600 million from 29 different government agencies. Gaspard led the effort to redesign PEPFAR—the U.S. government’s HIV/AIDS initiative—to integrate it effectively into the South African health care system. He also successfully led the trade negotiations that led to an unprecedented 10-year renewal of the bilateral African Growth and Opportunity compact between the trading partners.

Gaspard was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to Haitian parents. He grew up in New York City and had a long career there and nationally in organized labor, electoral politics, and public service. He started as a union organizer and rose to become executive vice president for politics and legislation of the Local 1199 branch of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), one of the largest unions in the United States. He went on to serve as the national political director for the national organization and its 2 million members.

Gaspard attended Columbia University and is the recipient of honorary doctorates from Columbia University and Bard College. He has also been awarded the Spingarn Medal, which is the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP.

Rep. Dotie Joseph

Dotie Joseph (Democratic Party) is a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 108. She assumed office on November 6, 2018. Her current term ends on November 5, 2024.

Joseph (Democratic Party) won re-election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 108 outright after the general election on November 8, 2022, was canceled.

Dotie Joseph was born in Haiti but grew up in Miami, Florida. Joseph has earned degrees from Yale University and Georgetown Law. Her career experience includes working as an attorney. She has served as the vice-chair for the Democratic Party of Miami-Dade and as the president of the Haitian Lawyers Association.

Rep. Marie Paule Woodson

Marie Paule Woodson is an American politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 101st district from 2020 to 2022. Due to redistricting, she is now the representative for the 105th district.

Marie Woodson was born in Port-de-Paix, Haiti, and lives in Hollywood, Florida. Woodson earned an A.S. in public administration from Miami-Dade College in 1984, a B.S. in criminal justice from Florida International University in 1987, and an M.S. in public administration/management from St. Thomas University in 1994. Her career experience includes working as a public administrator.

After moving to the United States, Woodson worked in a textile factory. She later worked as a public administrator for the Government of Miami-Dade County for several years. Woodson was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and assumed office on November 3, 2020.

Mayor Alix Desulme

Mayor Alix Desulme is known as the “Peoples’ Councilman.” He created and implemented the first healthy eating initiative, “Let’s Eat Healthy,” in the City of North Miami. This initiative ensures qualified residents receive fresh produce, dairy products, and other grocery items bi-monthly. On June 11, 2019, the North Miami City Council unanimously approved and allocated funding for The NoMi Food Market, which became the first governmental-run food pantry in the State of Florida and is managed by the City’s Housing and Social Services Department. This partnership was made possible by the generous contributions of Feeding South Florida and the Florida Blue Foundation.

Additionally, Mayor Desulme fought and advocated for years for the creation of the City’s first Housing and Social Services Department. Since its inception on October 1, 2019, the Housing and Social Services Department’s mission has been to assist the City of North Miami in creating a viable urban community by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, as well as overseeing programs and services that improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities, principally for very low, low, moderate-income persons/families.

As an educator, Mayor Desulme has supported youth causes for more than two decades and is known for his dedication to the children of North Miami. He designed and developed NoMi Leaders in Training Program (L.I.T.). The L.I.T. program prepares the City’s next generation of public servants via higher education studies, career readiness, and an enhanced understanding of local civic processes. The L.I.T program also serves as a pre-requisite for students who reside in North Miami grades 9-12, to transition into the City’s signature Youth Opportunity Board (YOB) Summer Internship Program.

Currently, Mayor Desulme is an Adjunct Professor at St. Thomas University in Miami-Gardens, Florida, and an Educational Consultant for ELB Global, a California based organization. Mayor Desulme also holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New England. His dissertation focused on Policies and Procedures Perceived By School Leaders To Reduce Truancy In A Public Charter School.

On December 13, 2022, Mayor Desulme was selected to serve as the City of North Miami’s Mayor.

Commissioner Mack Bernard

Mack Bernard is fighting for our future. Standing up for our families and our neighborhoods, Mack’s always had our back. Now he is running for the Florida Senate to put his experience to work for Palm Beach County.

Mack Bernard has served as Palm Beach County Commissioner since 2016, serving terms as both County Mayor and County Vice Mayor during his seven years on the Commission. Bernard was praised as a County Commissioner focused on job creation and job training initiatives as well as championing policies to create additional workforce and affordable housing in the County. In May of this year, the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County recognized Bernard as the Housing Hero of the Year.

In 2008 Mack served as a Delray Beach City Commissioner and Deputy Vice-Mayor. He then put his experience to work in the Florida Legislature, serving as a member of the Florida House from 2009 – 2012. Mack’s legislative accomplishments focused on creating jobs, protections for women’s healthcare and equality, and funding for public education. In the Legislature, Mack served as the President of the Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials and was recognized for his work advocating for Florida’s small businesses.

Bernard’s commitment to Palm Beach County and Florida can be seen through his advocacy efforts on the Florida Association of Counties’ Tax, Finance and Administration Committee and as a member of the Florida Elections Commission, where he ensured integrity and transparency in Florida elections.

Bernard’s current and past community involvement includes time on the Board of Leadership Florida, Secretary and Treasurer; Palm Beach County Homeless Advisory Board, Chair; Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Past Chair and Vice Chair; Toussaint L’Ouverture High School for Arts and Social Justice, Past Chair; Color of Hope Foundation, Former Board member; 211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast, Former Board member; CJ Foundation, Inc., Former Board member; Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, Former Board member; and the Marie Louise Community Foundation, Inc., Former Board member. In addition to his record of service, Bernard has been recognized by his peers for his leadership ability, work to support small businesses, and his advocacy for public education and public-school teachers.

Bernard has called Palm Beach County home for nearly 40 years. Bernard is a product of Palm Beach County’s public schools, where he was in the JROTC program and was a high school wrestling champion. Bernard graduated with honors from Florida State University; earning a Bachelors in Political Science and Criminal Justice, and graduating with an LL.M. (Taxation) and J.D. from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. Professionally, Bernard is an attorney with an emphasis on real estate and tax law.

Bernard and his wife Shawn are raising their three daughters in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Katia Saint Fleur

Katia Saint Fleur has two decades of experience in government relations, communications and community relations. Ms. Saint Fleur spent six years in the state Capitol working as a legislative aide to former Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon and six years as the principal of the Miami-based governmental consulting firm KSF & Associates. She worked on appropriations and policy matters spanning several silos, including health care, children and families, transportation, financial services, property, technology and criminal justice. As a result of her work and advocacy, Katia is a well-known and established presence in the civic, business and governmental circles of Greater Miami.

Katia has also twice worked as a senior partnership specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 2010 and 2020. She forged partnerships between the federal government, businesses, and nonprofits to support Census activities in the Southeastern Region of the country.

Eric Knowles

Gordon Eric Knowles current President and CEO of the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce.  Eric served in several capacities within the Miami Dolphins and   (Hard Rock Stadium) organization for 15 years. 

Eric has served on several non-profit boards in South Florida. Currently, Board Member and past Chairman of the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, Board Member of Miami Dade Beacon Council, Board Member of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board Member of the Business Assistance Center (BAC), a member of the 100 Black Men of South Florida, and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program.

Eric’s interests include writing, golf, landscaping, and acting. A certified yoga instructor. Eric has two beautiful daughters Erica and Catherine. Graduate of Miami Dade Community College and Florida International University.  Eric served in the US Army, 82nd Airborne Division.

Beatrice Louissaint

Beatrice Louissaint immigrated to Miami from Haiti at age 5, equipped with six words of English and a strong family heritage that has made her a pioneer in the evolution of South Florida’s vibrant Haitian community. In many respects, her father’s passion shaped her career. In 1970, he founded Miami’s first Haitian church, which put a young Beatrice at the nexus of the Haitian Diaspora’s development – political, economic and cultural. Since then, she has become a powerhouse in her community’s advancement.

Beatrice is the President & CEO of the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council, one of 23 affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. The mission of the FSMSDC is to foster the growth of minority businesses in Florida. It acts as a liaison between Minority Business Enterprises and corporate members, including such prominent Florida companies as Florida Blue, Amazon, Florida Power & Light, The Walt Disney Company, Duke Energy, Orlando Health, ODP and AT&T. Under Beatrice’s leadership, the FSMSDC has linked minority firms to more than $11 billion in procurement sales.

Beatrice has helped shape statewide policy for minority business advancement for more than 25 years. She was hand-picked by then-Governor Jeb Bush as Vice Chair of the One Florida Accountability Commission. In 1994, she was appointed to the steering committee for the first Summit of the Americas, which convened 34 heads of state from the Western Hemisphere. That year, she was named “Advocate of the Year” by the Minority Business Development Center. In 1997, she chaired the Miami-Dade Minority Business Advisory Board during the county’s transition from a minority to a small-business construction program.

Beatrice’s many awards and recognitions for community service and leadership include induction into Miami Dade College’s Hall of Fame, being listed as one of “The 100 Most Influential Black People, Miami-Dade County’s Women’s Leadership Award and the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s Vanguard Award.

Beatrice earned a Bachelor of Science in business Administration from Barry University. She is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, International Women’s Forum and the Miami Biscayne Bay Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and serves on the boards of Miami Dade College Foundation and Little Haiti Optimist Club.

Djénane St-Fleur

Djénane St-Fleur is the President of Afro Caribbean Groove PR Inc., a live event production agency and also serves as Co-Founder and Vice President of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, a South Florida economic oriented nonprofit raising funds and awareness for Haitians living domestically and abroad.

 St-Fleur is a passionate community advocate involved in cultural, health-oriented, and social activities. She serves an integral role in key events such as the annual recognition of Haitian Heritage Month; Breast Cancer Awareness; Kreyol Month; and political campaigns to advance public-private projects promoting entrepreneurship, community education, and mentorship. Djénane St-Fleur also serves as a business consultant to academic institutions addressing the use of technology as an educational tool. Mrs. Gourgue has received several awards for her work in the community in advocacy and was a nominee for Women of Distinction by the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is a three times breast cancer survivor and strives to comfort others that have walked the path of Cancer and treatment. She is very involved in the Diaspora in the promotion of Haitian culture, jazz music and arts.

 St-Fleur holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the New York Institute of Technology. She attended the Federal Reserve of Atlanta Cohort in 2021 and graduated from the Miami Dade Goldman Sachs Cohort in December 2022 in Business Entrepreneurship. Djénane St-Fleur carries the Haitian culture in her heart and everywhere she goes and embraces change, diversity, and economic growth by setting upon her goals with patience and tenacity.

Lory M. Freiman

Lory Malebranche Freiman is currently serving as the Chief Accounting Officer for ARK Homes for Rent. With 20 years of experience in both public and private organizations, Lory is a certified public accountant. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with dual majors in Accounting and Finance from tFlorida International University.

D.J. Neree, Esq.

D.J. Neree provides representation before local, state, federal, and international agencies, tribunals, and courts including the Executive Office of Immigration Review and all offices of USCIS in the United States as well as U.S. Embassies and Consulates across the globe.  Neree is an international development economist, general manager, and litigation lawyer by training.  Prior to joining MLKPILO, Neree worked for the Inter-American Development Bank. In this role, he financed private sector infrastructure projects in Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia. He later served as the representative for IDB Group Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.  Neree attended Brown University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics.  He later earned graduate degrees at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Jeff Lozama

Jeff Lozama is a business owner and philanthropist with over 30 years of experience serving South Florida, The Caribbean, and Latin America. He has a strong track record of completing successful projects and has been actively involved in establishing charitable organizations to support local communities. Mr. Lozama is highly regarded as a trusted and dedicated community leader, known for his commitment to improving the lives of those in need.

Mr. Lozama obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management from Florida Memorial University before embarking on his career. He worked his way up to become the president and CEO of CMS International group, a renowned glazing company that specializes in the distribution and installation of high-end windows, doors and building materials. Under his leadership, CMS International Group has undertaken various construction projects, ranging from the Federal Courthouse in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to several resorts across the Caribbean including the Morgan Resort, Flamingo and Royal Palm Resorts in St. Maarten. Additionally, the company has successfully completed commercial and residential properties in South Florida and throughout the Caribbean, establishing itself as one of the region’s most sought-after distributors.

Throughout his extensive travels, Mr. Lozama has interacted with individuals from diverse backgrounds, gaining firsthand experience of the work required to assist the less fortunate. His philanthropic endeavors have become a defining aspect of his career, alongside his professional achievements. In 2005, he co-founded The Man Dodo Humanitarian Foundation, which continues to provide healthcare, education, and spiritual wellness to the citizens of South Haiti. Mr. Lozama has also actively served in various organizations including the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, where he served as Chairman. Under his leadership, the Chamber initiated the annual “20 Under 40 Top Young Haitian American Professionals (YoPro)” and facilitated the first Haitian American Business Summit with the late President of Haiti, Mr. Jovenel Moise. He has held positions such as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves on the boards of MiamiDade International Trade Consortium, United Way Miami, Reciprocal Ministries International, as wellas the advisory boards of Hand in Hand for Haiti and the Haitian American Nurses Association.

 Mr. Lozama’s philanthropic work has been recognized through numerous honors and awards. In 2004, he received the Key to the City of North Miami for organizing the Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert for the victims of Hurricane Jeanne. He has also been honored with the Community Ambassador’s Award from the Diaspora Art Coalition, Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition from Senator Bill Nelson and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Proclamations from Florida State Senator Daphnee Campbell and the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of Commissioners for his invaluable service to the Haitian community in Miami-Dade County, among many other accolades. Recently, Mr. Lozama was honored “Business Person of the Year” and “Miami’s Most Influential and Powerful Black Professional of 2023” by Legacy Miami and Legacy Magazine. He also received a prestigious award  from Ayiti Community Trust for his contribution to the Economic Legacy of Haiti.

Jeff Lozama attributes his career successes to the exceptional people he has encountered and collaborated with throughout his journey. He remains dedicated to finding new opportunities to positively impact his community and looks forward to continuing his influential work.

Dr. Joseph Durandis

Dr. Joseph Durandis was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In 2004, he graduated from the University of Haiti’s School of Medicine. In 2011 he completed his residency in Family Medicine as a chief resident at SUNY Downstate Brooklyn NY . In 2011 he became board certified in Family Care. He went on to earn board certification in Palliative and Hospice Care in 2012.

In  2019, he moved to Miami to become the  youngest program director of Borinquen Family Medicine’s Residency Program. Since 2019, he serves as the Family Medicine Clerkship Director at the Center for Haitian Studies’ CHS Health, where he still provides care to uninsured patients.

Dr. Durandis is the Director of Palliative Care and Hospice Care services at Jackson North Medial Center. He is also an attending physician at Jackson North, North Shore Medical Center, and Select Specialty Hospital.

Joseph Durandis M.D. is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Excel Medical Associates, Excel Aesthetics and ACT hospitalist group. He is a member in good standing of the Association of Haitian Doctors Living Abroad (AMHE) Since 2021 he has served as the  co-chair of the Haitian American Professional Coalition’s (HAPC) health committee and is an active Board Advisor for the Haitian American Nurses Association. He is  a regular contributor to Island TV’s Community Health Program.

 Dr. Durandis is married and a father of 3.

Dr. Patricia Jeudin

Dr. Jeudin is a board-certified OBGYN working at the University of Miami and serves as the director of the Dysplasia Clinic at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in South Florida. She completed her medical school training at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and completed her residency at the same institution. She specializes in screening, diagnosis, and management of HPV-related diseases including genital warts and precancers of the lower genitourinary tract (including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal precancers). Her research entails the evaluation of the adequacy of both short and long-term follow-up after surgical management for high-grade cervical dysplasia among low-income and minority women in an inner-city setting. She has a strong partnership with the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium to examine the most prevalent HPV subtypes among women in the African Diaspora and she has Center for Aids Research (CFAR) University of Miami funding for Identifying anal high-risk HPV subtypes in Haitian men and women living with HIV in Miami. She also brings expertise of health literacy and DEI to the project. Given her research interests, she currently serves as the Director of the HIV Gynecology Clinic at Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Vice Chair of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the Department of OBGYN at UM and on the DEI committee for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Lastly, Dr. Jeudin is also an educator and serves as a longitudinal clinical educator for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys, traveling, cooking, and boxing.

Dr. Deborah Gracia

Dr. Deborah Gracia earned her Bachelor in Nutritional Sciences degree at University of Florida and Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

She has been a provider and educator of Internal Medicine, and the former Program Director for Larkin Community Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program. She is currently an associate professor for FIU and NOVA.

Dr. Gracia is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, and a current fellow at The University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center of Integrative Medicine. Since 2007, Dr. Gracia holds the position as the Chief Medical Officer Center at Borinquen Medical Centers.

Dr. M. Sandra Severe

M. Sandra Severe is senior vice president and chief executive officer of Jackson North Medical Center Hospital, a 382-bed acute care hospital located in North Miami Beach. Affiliated with the world-class Jackson Health System, one of the nation’s largest public health systems, Jackson North offers a full spectrum of service and is staffed by nationally respected physicians and healthcare professionals who practice a wide array of medical specialties. Ms. Severe is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations at Jackson North, which serves the residents of north Miami-Dade and south Broward counties.

Ms. Severe joined Jackson in 2014, and grew in leadership positions throughout Jackson’s behavioral health facilities. She most recently served as Jackson Memorial Hospital’s chief operating officer, nimbly overseeing a wide range of ancillary and support services for the health system’s 1,547-bed flagship facility. During her time at Jackson Memorial, Ms. Severe provided administrative oversight of the hospital’s $100 million construction project to build the three-story UHealth Jackson Critical Care Pavilion, a facility that adds 79 ICU beds to the organization’s critical care capacity. She was also the executive lead on Jackson’s robust COVID-19 lab operations, which provided nearly 200,000 COVID tests to patients, physicians, and employees during the pandemic, and was a model for other healthcare entities in developing testing algorithms used to ensure patient safety and throughput.

Prior to joining Jackson, Ms. Severe served as director of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s early intervention program, the largest federally and state-funded program at the children’s hospital that provided services for children with special needs; and as a health care policy consultant for Smile Initiatives of Massachusetts, a mobile dental clinic that provided comprehensive onsite dental care to schools and government offices throughout New England.

Ms. Severe is an adjunct professor at Florida International University’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences and is a regular guest lecturer and panelist at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business. She is a member of several organizations, including the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Health Services Executives, the United Way Women United and Young Leaders, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

A native of Miami, Ms. Severe earned her PhD in public health and disease promotion from Florida International University, as well as a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Tulane University in New Orleans.

Clarel Cyriaque, Esq.

Mr. Clarel Cyriaque is a Haitian American immigration attorney in Miami. He has been an advocate for Haitian immigrant rights since the beginning of his career. He started as a staff attorney with the Haitian Refugee Center. Later, when the Center dissolved due to a lack of funding, he moved on to private practice. Mr Cyriaque returned briefly to non-profit advocacy as the managing attorney for Church World Service. Today he works in private practice as a solo practitioner while continuing his involvement and advocacy for Haitian immigrants.Nadine Gedeon, Esq.

Steven Forester, Esq.

Recipient of the University of Miami Inter-American Law Review’s 40th annual Lawyer of the Americas Award in March, and recognized in May by Sant La, Haitian Neighborhood Center for his 44 years of service to the Haitian community, Steven Forester has served since 2008 as Immigration Policy Coordinator for the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH).  Mr. Forester has led in securing important milestones and protections for Haitians including inter alia Haiti’s repeated designations for Temporary Protected Status; President Obama’s creation of the Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program under which 8,300 Haitians more expeditiously joined their families in the United States, and this Summer’s DHS announcement of the program’s modernization and expansion; and passage of the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998, under which 20,000 Haitians became U.S. legal permanent residents.  He initiated and helped plan and coordinate last October’s White House demonstration urging the Biden Administration to stop propping up Haiti’s illegitimate and repressive regime; engages colleagues, DHS officials, and the community on this year’s new so-called “Biden program,” under which 60,000-plus Haitians have been paroled into the United States so far; and broadly disseminates information on Haiti human rights and immigration developments to journalists, advocates, aides to political leaders, and others with whom he engages.  He is quoted in the media, writes opinion pieces, and published early legal articles on Haitian political asylum and related advocacy.  Other recognition includes a Haitian American Democratic Club of Miami-Dade award last year, Stetson University Law School's Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award in 2000, and early profiles of his career in the Miami Herald, Associated Press, and Boston University Public Interest Law Journal.

Nadine Gedeon, Esq.

Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Mrs. Gedeon obtained her first law degree from Université Quisqueya in Haiti. Mrs. Gedeon worked for the Haitian Red Cross for six years, where she developed  valuable leadership and managerial skills. She then went on to work as a legal officer at the Haitian Red Cross before she came to the United States.

Mrs. Gedeon earned a Master’s degree in Intercultural Human Rights from St. Thomas University School of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2012.  In May 2014, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law, where she also graduated Magna Cum Laude.

In law school, she was a student representative in the immigration clinic. She provided assistance to non-citizens seeking asylum in the United States and to other non-citizens subject to removal and immigration detention.  Mrs. Gedeon served as a member of the St. Thomas Intercultural Law Review and was the recipient of the Merit Based Scholarship.  She was a member of the Black Student Association, the Caribbean Student Law Association, and the International Honor Society “Phi Alpha Delta”.

Ms. Gedeon’s passion is to help people.  She has been doing volunteer work since she started working at the Red Cross.  She recruited more than 3,000 young blood donors to supply the Haitian Red Cross blood bank, often in critical need.  She conducted life skills training courses for the Haitian youth with emphasis on HIV prevention and volunteer blood donation.  She participated in several relief missions to provide food, healthcare and technical support to victims of natural disaster.

She is one of the Board Directors of Lawyers to the Rescue, a non-profit organization that provides pro bono legal services to the homeless community in Miami.  She also volunteers her time with VIDA, a non-profit organization that provides pro bono legal services to Women victim of Domestic Violence.  Lastly, she volunteers with Americans for Immigrant Justice, where she gives pro bono advices to Immigrant detainees and represents them in Immigration Court Proceedings.

She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Broward County Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Haitian Lawyers Association.  She is fluent in French and English, and proficient in Spanish.

Frandley Julien

Frandley D. Julien handles a wide variety of cases in the areas of personal injury, immigration, wills & trusts, criminal defense and family law.

Frandley’s professional work is strongly informed by his personal experience as an immigrant who had to wade through uncharted territories to carve out his part of the American Dream. Similarly, he approaches each case as an opportunity to make a difference in the life of the client, and puts all the resources of the firm to contribution to achieve that goal.

Frandley graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Florida International University’s Honors College. He was presented with FIU English Department’s “Outstanding Achievements in English” award. He successively won First and Second Prizes in Essay at the Honors College’s Annual Convocation Contest. He obtained his law degree from that same institution and was presented with the “Outstanding Contribution to the Trial Team Award.” He is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Tau Sigma fraternities.

Upon graduating from law school, Frandley worked as a prosecutor in Miami-Dade County, before opening his own practice in North Miami Beach. He speaks both Creole and French with native proficiency. In 2017, he published a book, Les Non-Dits de l’Affaire Guy Philippe, in which he explains the confluence of Haitian, American and International laws through the international law concept of “extraordinary rendition”, taking as example the apprehension in Haiti of a senator-elect by Haitian police, his subsequent transfer to the United States where he stood trial for conducts that occurred in Haiti.

Frandley is regularly on Haitian radio and television, and has published numerous pieces in The Miami Herald, the Sun Sentinel, Jamaica Observer and Haiti’s Le National, of which he is a partner and

Narinah Jean-Baptiste

Narinah counsels municipalities in complex land use and zoning issues, as well as general municipal matters involving compliance with public records, sunshine law and ethics, short-term rentals, transportation, and affordable housing issues. During her time at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Narinah served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Beth Bloom in the U.S. District Court. She gained experience as a legal intern at the Southern Center for Human Rights, where she immersed herself in the issues regarding the impact of the criminal legal system in the Deep South. Through this experience, Narinah discovered her passion for land use and how access to land and its resources directly affect human rights. She is currently an associate at Weiss Serota Helfman-Cole & Bierman, P.L.

Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis

In September 2008, Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis became Prime Minister of Haiti. While Prime Minister, Pierre-Louis also served as Minister of Justice and Public Security. Upon leaving office in November 2009, Pierre-Louis resumed her activities at the Open Society Foundations–Haiti she created in 1995 under the name Fondation Connaissance et Liberté – FOKAL (www.fokal.org). She is now FOKAL’s President of FOKAL, coordinating special projects in Sustainable Development, Higher Education and National Heritage with an emphasis on human rights and gender justice. She was invited to join the Open Society Foundations’ Women’s Rights Program’s Advisory Board in 2015, and since 2018 she serves as Board Chair. Pierre-Louis is also a professor at Université Quisqueya, Haïti.

In 2010, President Zapatero of Spain nominated her as a member of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, based in Spain (www.icdp.org). In 2014, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon nominated her as a member of a High Level Panel on a Technology Bank for the Least Development Countries.  In 2017, UN Secretary General Antonio Guteres nominated her as a member of High Level Advisory Board on Mediation.

Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis is a member and administrator of a Review “Chemins Critiques” in which she wrote several articles along with other Haitian and Caribbean writers, on politics, gender issues, economics, arts and culture. She has also contributed to several books and reviews.

She has received several awards and distinctions in her career. She holds a “Doctorate Honoris Causa” in Humanities from Saint Michael College, Vermont in 2004. From September through December 2010, she was a Resident Fellow at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government/Institute of Politics. In December 2014, she received a second “Doctorate Honoris Causa” from the University of San Francisco, California.

In November 2020, as a member of the Council of Women World Leaders (CWWWL), she received the Women Political Leaders (WPL) Trailblazer Award at the Reykjavik Global Forum Women’s Leader 2020.

Jean G. Bélizaire, CTP

Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager Not for Profit and Government Banking, Santander Bank, N.A.

Jean joined Santander in January 2022.  His role and focus are to expand Santander’s Commercial Bank’s footprint and presence in the State of Florida. He will accomplish this by adding value in serving the needs of the Bank’s commercial clients and the communities in which Santander does business. Santander’s unique domestic and global capabilities will help individuals and Florida businesses reach their potential. 

Prior to joining Santander, Jean spent several years advising clients as a Treasury Management Consultant for some the world’s largest financial institutions including Truist, TD Bank, PNC Bank and Bank of America.  Jean is active in his community and sits on several boards of Not For Profit Organizations such the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF), the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce (MDCC), Little Haiti Housing Association (LHHA) and Fonkozé USA.

Jean is a graduate of Rutgers University and holds the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation. He is the father of three adult daughters and the grandfather of two. He lives in Hollywood, Florida. 

Naed Jasmin Désiré

Naed Jasmin Désiré, an attorney affiliated with the Port-au-Prince bar and founder of Cabinet Jasmin, Désiré et Associés, brings extensive legal expertise and a deep commitment to community well-being. Holding master's degrees in law and management from prestigious universities, she has over thirteen years of experience in fields such as investment promotion, business climate improvement, and regulatory framework development in Haiti. Naed has advised institutions like the Centre de facilitation des investissements (CFI), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and worked as a consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank (WB). She has also contributed her legal insights to ministerial cabinets. She served on the board of the Fonkoze Foundation, a poverty-alleviation organization in Haiti, and the organization “ Sa Se Biznis Pam” promoting small and medium enterprises.  Naed is a founding member of the civil society platform "Kafou Lespwa," promoting social transformation and values like collaboration and inclusion. Currently, as Director of Operations for Scale Up 305, launched by the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF), she is dedicated to driving growth and wealth creation within the business community.

Regine Rene Labrousse

Régine R. Labrousse is an intercultural relations professional from New Orleans, LA of Haitian parents. A former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, she has extensive experience working with the largest foreign direct investors and donors in Haiti since 2010.

In 2019, Régine founded Replenish 509, a social enterprise collaborating with multi-sector  leaders for collective impact in Haiti. Replenish 509 enables connections, collaborations, and contributions to pivot away from the dependency paradigm and create ripple effects for socioeconomic development of more people in Haiti. She is a co-founder of Kafou Lespwa, a platform for collaboration for transformative systemic change in Haiti catalyzing a collective leadership. She founded Reviv Ayiti in New Orleans to honor Haiti’s Cultural Heritage, enable Economic Development collaborations, and facilitate Diaspora Integration to Haiti.

In 2006, Regine began her career in the US Foreign Service as a Public Diplomacy Officer serving in the Dominican Republic, Washington, Morocco, Jamaica, and finally in Haiti where she remained. In 2013, she pivoted to work in the private sector to manage public and government relations for Heineken’s BRANA brewery to build their sustainability agenda to focus on local sourcing, recycling, and higher education. She was elected President of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Haiti) and also served on the board of the Forum Economique du Secteur Privé (FESP), the Haitian Manufacturers’ Association (ADIH), AGERCA (risk prevention and business continuity), YMCA d’Haiti, and Union School Haiti. For years she’s worked on Haitian Diaspora issues, aiming to facilitate a more unified approach to strengthening Haiti’s economy while opening doors for women and young professionals to join leadership positions.

Regine has a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Latin American Studies from Loyola University New Orleans, and a master’s degree in Art in International Communication from American University. She’s fluent in English, French, Haitian Creole, and conversational Spanish. She is married with 2 young children.

Dr. Guerda Nicolas

Dr. Marie Guerda Nicolas is an esteemed Haitian-American psychologist, professor, and community advocate whose work is deeply in community psychology, multicultural issues, and the well-being of underrepresented communities, particularly within the Haitian diaspora.

Dr. Guerda Nicolas was born in Haiti and migrated to the United States during her adolescence. This transition provided her with a unique perspective on multiculturalism, identity, and the challenges faced by immigrants. She pursued her education in the field of psychology, obtaining her bachelor's degree from Rutgers University. Dr. Nicolas continued her academic journey at Boston University, where she earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

Upon completing her education, Dr. Nicolas joined the world of academia. She has been associated with several universities, including the Boston University and the University of Miami. At the University of Miami, Dr. Nicolas has held the role of Department Chair, Program Director, and professor in the Educational and Psychological Studies (EPS) department.

Her research and clinical work have predominantly focused on understanding the psychological needs of ethnic minority communities, immigrant youth and families, and culturally relevant interventions. Dr. Nicolas champions culturally congruent interventions, aiming to ensure that psychological practices resonate with the cultural and social nuances of the community they serve.

A remarkable aspect of her work revolves around the Haitian community. Dr. Nicolas has conducted extensive research and interventions to support the mental well-being of the Haitian diaspora and address challenges such as mental health stigma.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for her research and community involvement. Notably, Dr. Nicolas has also been an advocate for enhancing the well-being of Haitian communities in the aftermath of natural disasters, such as the devastating earthquake of 2010.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr. Nicolas is deeply involved in community outreach. She has founded and collaborated with various organizations aiming to uplift Haitian communities both in the United States and in Haiti. Her efforts are geared towards building community resilience, fostering positive mental health, and empowering community members.

Her commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world community needs has seen her collaborate with various organizations, fostering community dialogue, empowerment, and well-being. Her extensive work with the Haitian diaspora, particularly in addressing mental health stigma, has been influential in shifting perceptions and fostering dialogue.

As a seasoned psychologist and academic, Dr. Nicolas has penned numerous books, research articles, book chapters, and presentations on multicultural psychology, mental health disparities, trauma, and community interventions. She is often sought after as a speaker and panelist for her insights on cultural competence, immigrant mental health, and community-based interventions.

Dr. Nicolas, with her vast experience, continues to impact the world of psychology and community development through her teaching, research, and advocacy. Her multifaceted roles as a researcher, educator, advocate, and community leader underscore her unwavering commitment to uplift and empower marginalized communities. Through her endeavors, she champions the ethos that understanding and honoring cultural diversity is pivotal to fostering holistic well-being.  Her commitment to creating a bridge between academia and real-world issues has solidified her reputation as a visionary in the field of multicultural psychology.

Tessa Petit

Born and raised in Haiti, Tessa has always had a passion for helping others. She moved to the United States in 2001 and worked in social services with the Haitian community and with families experiencing homelessness. While overseeing various shelters, Tessa observed that direct services address symptoms of inequality and that equity and justice will only be realized through structural transformation. She brought her passion for social justice to FLIC in 2016, where she helped to expand direct services in conjunction with issue-advocacy, capacity building and consciousness raising. Tessa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Barry University, and served our coalition as Director of Finance and Operations prior to becoming FLIC's co-Executive Director in 2021. As she co-leads FLIC, Tessa aspires to foster collaboration among Black Immigrants, and to further expand FLIC's civic engagement in a continuum.

Michelle Austin Pamies, Esq.

Michelle Austin Pamies, Esq. was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti and migrated to Queens, New York at a young age. Michelle’s love for Haiti, can be traced back to her frequent trips there as a young adult. Her attachment to her homeland, its culture, its languages and history, have inspired her drive to excel and lead. Michelle is a 1996 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law where she served on the University of Miami Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif.

She is currently a founding partner of Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, LLC and her practice primarily involves representing municipalities and businesses, handling their transactional and litigation needs, as well as providing legal advice and counsel. Prior to joining the Firm, Michelle worked for 8 years as Senior Corporate Counsel – Commercial Law in Union Pacific Railroad Company’s Law Department. Her responsibilities included being the lead attorney for the procurement of goods and services, procurement and management of intellectual property and development of new business ventures.

Michelle’s past experience also includes being General Counsel of Planet Automotive Group, Inc; General Counsel of the Agency for Workforce Innovation, an agency of the State of Florida, Corporate Counsel for AutoNation, Inc.; and Corporate attorney in private practice at Holland & Knight LLP’s Miami office.

Michelle is a former member of the Public Health Trust of Miami-Dade County, and Miami- Dade County Ad Hoc Committee for the Creation of an Airport Authority. She has served on numerous non-profit boards, including, Girls Inc. (Omaha) and SantLa (Haitian Neighborhood Center).

She is a founding member and former Vice President of the Haitian Lawyers Association, Inc. and is Co-Chair of the Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Inc. She serves on the boards of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce, the University of Miami Law Alumni Association. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Greater Miami Chapter, Links Incorporated and is a board member and co-chair of the Grants Committee for the Women’s Fund.

Her love for Haiti and her deep concerns about her beloved homeland’s future, have compelled her to become a founding member of the Haitian American Foundation for Democracy (HAFFD). She hopes that through HAFFD’s efforts Haitian Americans will mobilize their resources and collective power to make profound and impactful change in Haiti.

Michelle has received numerous awards, including, among others, the Nostalgia in Gold Caribbean Woman of Excellence Award, the Women of Distinction Award from the Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce, the Women who Inspire Award from the City of North Miami and one for being one of South Florida’s 50 Most Powerful and Influential Black Leaders of 2018 from Legacy Magazine.