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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.