First Annual NAAHP Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dermued Mondesir or Anide Jean

Phone: (877) 627-6247
Email: marketing[at]naahpusa.org
Web: www.naahpusa.org

THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF HAITIAN PROFESSIONALS TO HOST LAUNCH EVENT AND CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HAITIAN PROFESSIONALS IN THE DIASPORA AT THE FIRST ANNUAL NAAHP GALA

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals, or NAAHP will host its launch event, the First Annual Gala, “Pathways to Success,” on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Essex Manor in Bloomfield, NJ, from 6pm – 11pm.

The NAAHP is a vibrant and growing organization that was founded in April 2011 by a group of Haitian professionals, with the vision of being the premier organization serving Haitian professionals in the Diaspora. The NAAHP was born out of the need to have an organization that catered to supporting and unifying Haitian professionals across all industries. The NAAHP strives to provide a platform and voice for this audience to assist in their continued professional growth, to create economic wealth within the Haitian community and to provide mentoring opportunities to elevate the next generation of Haitian professionals.

The First Annual Gala will serve as the official launch event of the organization. The primary objective of the Gala will be to raise funds for a scholarship endowment for Haitian high school seniors (entering college) and continuing undergraduate college students and to celebrate the accomplishments of Haitian professionals in various industries.

Serge Renaud, one of the founding members of the NAAHP and current board member states, “although there are many organizations that cater to the Haitian Diaspora, there was not one organization that solely focused on growing the talent pipeline of Haitian professionals in upper-level management positions in corporate America.” He continued, “The lack of Haitians that can be found in upper level management positions led to the formation of the NAAHP.”

Anide Jean, current NAAHP board member also shared, “there are many successful Haitian professionals in various industries, however, there has never existed any real opportunity to connect this particular group, like other trade organizations such as NBMBAA or NSBE do.” She continued, “we’re starting small, however, our long-term strategic goal is to create a global network of Haitian professionals that can facilitate connections and createPO BOX 7075 I West Orange, NJ 07052

partnerships that will increase the visibility and numbers of Haitian professionals in management level positions.”

Guest speakers for the Gala include: Dr. Reynold Verret, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, Wilkes University; Judge Sybil Elias, Chief Judge, Orange Municipal Court, the first Haitian American Judge appointed to Municipal Court in New Jersey and Mayor Joseph M. Champagne, Mayor of the Borough of South Toms River, NJ, the first elected Haitian- American Mayor in New Jersey’s History and the first elected Black-American Mayor in the history of Ocean County which is composed of nearly 30 towns.

It is anticipated that the Gala will be attended by hundreds of Haitian professionals, including students, supporters and dignitaries. The First Annual Gala will be hosted at Essex Manor, 41 Broughton Ave., in Bloomfield, NJ and ticket costs are $50 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the Gala. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit us at www.naahpusa.org.

National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals, (NAAHP)

The National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) was created in 2011 as a non- profit organization with the vision of becoming the premier organization serving Haitian professionals in the Diaspora. The NAAHP is dedicated to preparing Haitian professionals for leadership positions throughout the U.S., so that they can provide the cultural awareness and sensitivity vital in the management of the nation’s diverse workforce. The NAAHP is dedicated to developing partnerships that result in the creation of intellectual and economic wealth within the Haitian community while creating mentoring opportunities between Haitian professionals and high school or college age students to assist in growing the talent pipeline of professionals in various industries.

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If you would like additional information on the NAAHP or to schedule an interview or cover the upcoming please contact Dermued Mondesir via email at marketing@naahpusa.org or call at 877-627-6247.