Overview
The National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) will be hosting its 6th Annual Conference at the New York University Law School November 2nd-4th, 2017.
The NAAHP Annual Conference is the largest event of the year organized by the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals and is a pivotal moment where Haitian professionals and students in the USA gather to hear empowering speakers, best practices and emerging trends in leadership, professional development, entrepreneurship and within the workforce. Attendees at every level from students to community leaders come together for three days to forge new relationships, explore educational and career opportunities, and discuss emerging topics regarding issues related to opportunities for the Diaspora.
This year’s conference, with a focus on identifying opportunities for students and professionals interested in career opportunities and engaging Haiti’s Diaspora to augment the Diaspora’s growth of economic power at the local, national, and international level, will include panels, workshops, and roundtables intended to pave educational and career pathways, initiate thought-provoking discussion, and challenge attendees to be innovative, strategic, and forward-thinking for the advancement of students, professionals and entrepreneurs in Haiti and the Diaspora. The 2017 conference theme is: “Diaspora Economics: Identifying Economic Opportunities for Haitians in the Diaspora and at Home in Education, Business, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development.”
For this year’s conference, the NAAHP has organized an agenda intended to bring together industry experts in the education, business, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and technology fields within the Diaspora and abroad. The 2017 conference will focus on Diaspora engagement for students and professionals through exploration of the current state of the Haitian economy and industries, economic, professional, and social opportunities for Haitians living in Haiti and abroad, highlight of individuals and organizations supporting the economic advancement of Haiti, philanthropic and social entrepreneurship opportunities related to improving economic success in Haiti, and a platform for attendees to engage with key stakeholders and one another for discussion and interaction to bridge the information gap between the Diaspora and Haiti, identify concrete and innovative solutions to complex problems, and foster long term innovative partnerships amongst the Diaspora and with stakeholders.
The NAAHP Annual Conference offers students and professionals the unsurpassed opportunity to reap the benefits of joining together for the ultimate weekend of networking and learning amongst like-minded individuals who value professional development, opportunity, education, and collaboration. The NAAHP 6th Annual Conference will provide students and professionals alike, the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, resources, and support for their endeavors towards an education and successful career.
The NAAHP’s work has centered on connecting a global community of students and professionals, providing them with career advancement and educational resources, while fostering transformative relationships between NAAHP members and stakeholders across various industries in order to aid students and professionals in further developing in the workforce. As with past conferences, the conference will include a kickoff reception on Thursday night, and a closing gala ceremony on Saturday to benefit NAAHP’s scholarship fund for Haitian students committed to academic excellence.
NAAHP attendees come from various backgrounds and descents. Prior conferences held by NAAHP have brought together students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and high-level political operatives on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, as well as renowned and well-respected thought leaders and decision makers within the Haitian and American political scene. The conference promotes and encourages diverse voices, backgrounds, experiences, and opinions. Past speakers, panelists, and attendees have included:
- Karl A. Racine – Attorney General for the District of Columbia
- Paul Altidor – Ambassador of Haiti to the United States of America
- Ambassador Kenneth H. Merten – Haiti Special Coordinator and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Haiti in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
- Rudy N. Brioché – Vice President for Global Public Policy and Policy Counsel, Comcast Corporation
- Dr. Reynold Verret – President, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Dr. J. Nadine Gracia – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health Director, Office of Minority Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Languages
English, French, Haitian Creole
Background
The NAAHP assembles a diverse team of stakeholders from across the Haitian diaspora and Haiti to help shape and guide conference programming. Partnering with various organizations, the NAAHP creates a weekend dedicated to exploring long-term, sustainable solutions for advocacy, philanthropy, and investment.
The annual NAAHP national conference is always held on college campuses and universities along the East Coast in areas that have large or growing populations of Haitian-Americans. Past venues have included Columbia University in New York, Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, and Howard University in Washington, DC.
Founded in 2011, the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established by a diverse group of forward-thinking industry experts, youth leaders, faculty, public, and nonprofit sector professionals from Haiti and its global diaspora. The NAAHP is focused on connecting a global community of peers with career advancement resources, as well as, fostering transformative relationships between NAAHP members and stakeholders committed to rebuilding Haiti through philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.