Who are the Haitian-Americans making a difference in America?
The Haitian Roundtable joined with, The Haitian Times, Radio Soleil, Kompa Guide and The Stewardship Report to select from hundreds of candidates the first-ever 1804 List of 25 Haitian-American Changemakers in the United States. The 1804 List, named in honor of Haiti’s year of independence, recognizes 25 Haitian-American in the United States who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success in their profession and proven themselves to be forces for change in their communities. They are seen as thought leaders, trailblazers, or unsung heroes who, through their deeds and accomplishments, have helped to create a better understanding of Haiti and the Haitian community.
This year’s list reflects the broad range of accomplishments by Haitian immigrants in the United States. The 1804 List of 25 Haitian-American Changemakers for 2012 includes community activists, elected officials, judges, outstanding surgeons, athletes, a celebrity photographer, a supermodel, an investment banker, a police chief, fashion designers, a musician, a filmmaker, a schools chief and a corporate executive. The Recognition Ceremony and Reception was held on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the French Alliance-Alliance Française in Manhattan, New York. The co-hosts, Mona Scott-Young and Dr. Jeff Gardere, (notable Haitians themselves) provided levity and kept the evening going. After the short ceremony, a reception was held where the honorees mixed and mingled with guests who paid as much as $50 to attend.
The 25 inaugural inductees to the 1804 List of Haitian-American Changemakers in the United States are:
Marc Baptiste, Celebrity Photographer and Philanthropist
Marleine Bastien, Community Advocate and Health Activist
Jean-Claude Brizard, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools
Jean-Robert Cadet, Advocate and Founder, Jean R. Cadet Restavek Foundation
Hon. Joseph Champagne, Mayor, South Toms River, New Jersey
Hon. Philippe Derose, Councilman, North Miami Beach City Council
Jean Desravines, Educator and Chief Executive Officer, New Leaders
Estelle Dubuisson, Founder and President, Friends of the Children of Lascahobas, Haiti
Ron Duprat, Celebrity Chef
Nadine Faustin-Parker, Olympian Hurdler and Head Coach, Women’s Track and Field, Mansfield University, Pennsylvania
Marie Ferdinand-Harris, WNBA All-Star and Founder, The Marie Ferdinand Foundation
Gretha Fievre, Community Advocate and Founder, HEAL Haiti
Jimmy Jean-Louis, Actor, Philanthropist and Founder, Hollywood Unites for Haiti
Yves “Fanfan” Joseph, Vocalist, Tabou Combo and Philanthropist
Jerry Lamothe, Director, Producer and Actor
Hon. Raymond Lohier, Judge, U. S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit (New York)
Dr. Shirley Madhere, Plastic Surgeon and Philanthropist
Dr. Jean Orelien, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SciMetrika
Louis Prezeau, Former Chief Executive Officer, City National Bank of New Jersey
Ninaj Raoul, Founder and Executive Director, Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees
Bishop Guy Sansaricq, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn
Michel-Rolph Trouillot(Posthumous), Author and Scholar
Ronald & Rony Delice, Designers, Ron & Ron Menswear
Hon. Marie St. Fleur, Chief of Advocacy and Strategic Investments (ASI), City of Boston
Jany Tomba, Supermodel
The 1804 List of 5 Haitian-Americans To Watch
Leanna Archer, Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer, Leanna’s Inc. Hair & Body Products
Gabriel Casseus, Actor and Screenwriter
Garvey Lundy, Artist and Designer, Garvey Lundy Fine Jewelry
Regine Roumain, Founder and Executive Director Haiti Cultural Exchange
Michalle Solages, Democratic Nominee, NYS Assembly, 22nd District
