Ayiti Demen at the 2023 Haitian Ladies Weekend

Posted on October 28, 2023June 13, 2024 by Ayiti Demen | Haiti Tomorrow

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Ayiti Demen at the 2023 Haitian Ladies Weekend

oct 28, 2023 | Ayiti Demen

From October 6-8, 2023, the Haitian Ladies Network hosted “Haitian Ladies Weekend: Igniting Our Power” in Washington, D.C. Ayiti Demen was thrilled to be a part of this event for the second year in a row.

Hundreds of women of Haitian descent from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Haiti came together for networking, educational and cultural activities at this vibrant three-day event celebrating Haitian culture and professional achievements. In her keynote speech, Michèle Montas, a former spokesperson for the United Nations and an award-winning journalist, shared her commitment to human rights. In 2022, Michèle Pierre-Louis, Ayiti Demen’s Board Chairperson, was the keynote speaker.

During a plenary session, attendees also watched a video featuring our own Michèle Pierre-Louis and Allenby Augustin, Executive Director of Le Centre d’Art. The video showcased the exciting rebuilding of Le Centre d’Art and invited everyone to get involved and support this significant project.

Throughout the event, Ayiti Demen hosted a table in support of Le Centre d’Art and conducted outreach activities. We engaged in one-on-one conversations with attendees to present them our mission and emphasize the importance of the arts in preserving culture and empowering communities in Haiti.

The weekend also featured a variety of sessions, including yoga, forums on engaging with Haiti, technology discussions, financial management workshops, and inspiring stories in the HerStory segment. Additionally, attendees enjoyed shopping at a pop-up market featuring Haitian women-owned businesses and capped off their days with cultural celebrations featuring dance and music. The Brunch on Sunday brunch was also a highlight of the weekend.

The Haitian American community in the U.S. is significant, with approximately 1.1 million people living primarily in Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. This community has a major impact on the cultural and economic fabric of the country. In 2022, Haitians living abroad remitted about $3.1 billion to Haiti, accounting for nearly one-third of the country’s GDP. Most of this money, about 84%, comes from the United States, helping Haitian families meet essential expenses and stabilizing the country’s economy.

The 18th Annual Haitian Ladies Network Weekend was a fantastic opportunity to network, learn and celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of Haitian women. We look forward to continuing our involvement in future events and supporting communities in Haiti through the arts.

Highlights of Conference of Agenda

Special Remarks by Karine Jean-Pierre: White House Press Secretary
Women Entrepreneurship in Haiti: A session on women’s entrepreneurship in Haiti
Engaging with Haiti Panel: Voices of Haitian women on the ground
18th Annual Haitian Women’s Brunch: A cherished tradition that unites Haitian women worldwide
Pap Jazz Nan Lakou ft. Pauline Jean: A celebration of Haitian culture, art and cuisine
HERStory with Dominique Anglade and Régine Chassagne: Inspiring stories from two extraordinary Haitian women
Real Tech Talk: Insights into technological innovation from leading Haitian women in the tech industry
Building Generational Wealth: Tips for building generational wealth and securing a better future
Digital Personal Branding: Strategies for Success (Gen Z Panel): Exploring digital personal branding and strategies for success in the digital age

About Haitian Ladies Network:

The Haitian Ladies Weekend began in 2005 as a simple brunch among five Haitian women. Since then, it has grown into the Haitian Ladies Network®️ (HLN), which officially formed after a 2016 White House briefing for Haitian American women leaders. Attracting hundreds to the Washington, D.C. area annually and building an online community of over 95,000, HLN aims to create a global platform that connects women of Haitian descent to build community, share inspiration, and celebrate culture.

For more details, visit Haitian Ladies Weekend 2023.

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Ayiti Demen and FOKAL at the 5th Haiti Funders Conference in Washington, DC

Posted on June 25, 2023June 17, 2024 by Ayiti Demen | Haiti Tomorrow

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Ayiti Demen and FOKAL at the 5th Haiti Funders Conference in Washington, DC

June 25, 2023 | Ayiti Demen

The 5th edition of the Haiti Funders Conference was held in Washington, D.C. from June 12 to 14. Haiti Demen and FOKAL were pleased to be part of this event. Co-organized by the Haiti Development Institute (HDI) at the Boston Foundation, the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL), and Ayiti Demen, the event brought together nearly 200 participants and 57 panelists representing 123 organizations. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in more than twenty plenary and breakout sessions, artistic performances, and several powerful keynote addresses.As the keynote speaker, Michèle D. Pierre-Louis, FOKAL’s president and Ayiti Demen’s chairperson, provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape in Haiti and the critical role of philanthropy in driving forward-thinking solutions.

“Yes, we live in a world of violence, unsafe for all. Even scientific progress creates major disruptions in our planetary system by contributing to pollution, health issues, and climate change. The crisis has penetrated our minds and threatens our human dignity. […] Paradoxically, there is another side in ‘this moment’, that of hard work, resistance, solidarity, empathy, a world of care, learning, community engagement, good causes, radical joy and hope. That is where philanthropy plays a major role if we are faithful to its etymological meaning: philos love, anthropos, humankind.”

Read the full speech here.

Despite the efforts of various partners, the situation in Haiti has deteriorated over the past five years, particularly due to increasing insecurity in the Ouest and Artibonite regions. The Haiti Funders Conference provided a valuable opportunity to discuss development issues in this fragile context. It brought together investors, funders, donors, diaspora and nonprofit leaders, and other stakeholders to strategize on how best to support the Haitian people and Haitian-led initiatives for change. Yvens Rumbold, Ayiti Demen’s executive director, captured the conference’s spirit perfectly: “Two words came out in every conversation here: collaboration and partnership. Because we have a duty to do better than in the past and our collective brain here is powerful. We can do better than what the world is doing now in Haiti.”

Yvens Rumbold, Ayiti Demen’s executive director, captured the conference’s spirit perfectly: “Two words came out in every conversation here: collaboration and partnership. Because we have a duty to do better than in the past and our collective brain here is powerful. We can do better than what the world is doing now in Haiti.”

Initiated by the Haiti Development Institute, the Haiti Funders Conference series is dedicated to increasing the volume and impact of philanthropy directed toward sustainable economic and social development in Haiti. This highly participatory event encourages existing and new actors to engage deeply with Haiti’s development challenges and opportunities.

The 5th Haiti Funders Conference was more than a gathering; it was a call to action. By fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders, the conference laid the groundwork for an effective, sustainable partnership for development in Haiti. As Yvens Rumbold pointed out, the collective power and commitment of participants can lead to better outcomes and pave the way for a brighter future for Haiti.

You can read more about the proceedings of the 5th Haiti Funders Conference here.

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How a Young Artist Finds her Way Through Painting at Le Centre d’Art in Haiti

Posted on May 1, 2022September 13, 2022 by Ayiti Demen | Haiti Tomorrow

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How a Young Artist Finds her Way Through Painting at Le Centre d’Art in Haiti

July 08, 2022 | Ayiti Demen

Like many emerging artists in Haiti, Anaïse Hector relies on Le Centre d’Art’s free-of-charge resources and low-cost educational programs to hone her craft and build a career in visuals arts.

Anaïse Hector, an emerging visual artist who is an active participant in Le Centre d’Art arts education program.
Photo by Yves-Osner Dorvil

Anaïse Hector, 21, is an artist at heart. She was exposed to art very early as her father used to make her watercolors full of magic. “I found the way he played with the colors fascinating,” she says. Her passion grew even more during high school years when she attended various drawing classes. But it was not until 2018 when she joined Le Centre d’Art –a vibrant hub of Haitian arts and artists located in the nation’s capital– that she became convinced of her creative potential. “I realized that art is not just a hobby for me but a form of expression, and that’s what I want to do. So I want to dedicate more time to my craft,” says Anaïse, also a psychology student. Her primary artistic activity is painting; at times, she can also get her hands on collage and sculpture. The dominant theme of her work is femininity, aiming “to free women’s body image from social norms.”

It is not easy to juggle school, art, and social life being so young, but Anaïse manages and stays focused. The biggest challenge, however, that comes her way is inadequate finances to procure painting supplies, which are very expensive for most emerging talents with low or no income. Le Centre d’Art, since its reopening in 2015, has offered a creative space, workshops, and art materials to more than 800 artists based in disciplines ranging from drawing, painting, sculpture, or even photography. “That helps me a lot when Le Centre d’Art gives me painting materials,” Anaïse says.

One of Anaïse’s favorite parts of being part of Le Centre d’Art is the opportunity to receive mentorship from some of Haiti’s elite artists like Mario Benjamin, Tessa Mars, and Pascale Monin. “Being around them and learning from them is a big deal and an honor for me,” she said. A highlight of her journey was the moment veteran Haitian sculptor Lionel St Eloi told her while working on a painting at Le Centre d’Art facilities, “You’ll become a great artist.” That is the kind of message of hope and confidence any young artist needs to hear.

"I used to be the only woman to participate in the art workshops, but that is no longer the case."

– Anaïse Hector

Despite the daily crises raging in the country in recent years, Anaïse is hopeful for the future. She is particularly excited to see a more significant feminine presence in the art landscape. “I used to be the only woman to participate in the art workshops, but that is no longer the case” she says. The recent all-female art exhibition, Vives, hosted by Le Centre d’Art in early 2022, brought her much motivation and inspiration. Ultimately, she wishes for “more growth in the art market in Haïti so that artists can make a living entirely from their artwork.

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Ayiti Demen at the 2023 Haitian Ladies Weekend

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