HAAPA, INC.
THE HAITIAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS NETWORK (HABNET)
1452 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11210
TEL:
FAX:
November 30, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Melissa Severe
Haitian-American Business Network Honors Community Leaders at 2nd Annual Reception
Brooklyn, NY -On Saturday, November 11th The Haitian-American Business Network (HABNET), a division of HAAPA, INC (Haitian-American Association for Progressive Action) hosted its 2nd Annual Reception: Appreciating Excellence, Service and Leadership in Our Community at the New York Academy of Art in New York City. The event celebrated the individuals and institutions that have made a positive impact on the Haitian community. Fittingly, the evening’s keynote speaker was Hon. Harry Fouche, Chairman of the Consortium for Haitian Empowerment (CHE) and the former Consulate General of Haiti, who emphasized the importance of HABNET and economic empowerment for the Haitian community. Moreover, part of the evening’s entertainment provided a powerful message about the importance of civic engagement with the debut of The Empowerment Theatre under the leadership of HAAPA Civic Education Director, Dominique Adam.
This year HABNET Excellence, Service and Leadership Award recipients included: Haitian-Americans United for Progress, an institution that has been servicing the community for over 30 years; Ms. Jo Ann Baldwin, the Assistant VP of Community Outreach at Maimonides Medical Center for her commitment to providing quality health care services to all, regardless of cultural barriers; Mr. Jean-Robert LaFortune, Chairman of the Florida-based Haitian-Americans Grassroots Coalition (HAGC), a long time advocate for the Haitian community; Mr. Parnel Legros an Educator, who used his experience as an athlete and martial artist to lead and inspire the youth; Dr. Dexter McKenzie, President of Provident Clinical Society of Brooklyn, with years of service to the Haitian community; Mr. Sanford Rubenstein, Esq., senior partner of Rubenstein and Rynecki, a highly-valued advocate of the Haitian community; and Bishop Guy A. Sansaricq, the first Haitian-American to be elected to the US Catholic Conference of Bishops and the first black Bishop to serve in the153-year-old Diocese of Brooklyn.
The Award ceremony ended with the presentation of the HABNET Entrepreneur of the Year Award, to Mr. Yves Sanon of Best For Less Construction. The award is presented each year to a HABNET member and business leader who embodies entrepreneurship, civic-mindedness, and a strong sense of commitment to mentoring the young people of our community. Lastly, HABNET presented its first HABNET Scholarship for academic excellence to Ania Pierre-Louis, a senior at Clara Barton H.S. The scholarship was made possible by Tenelus Services and Best For Less.
Serenaded by the melodious sound of Pauline Jean Quintet, a jazz band from the world-renowned Berklee College of Music, combined with the beautiful artwork of GX Art Studio and JMC Art Studio, accompanied with the cuisine of Fleurimond Catering, the event met its goal of Appreciating Excellence, Service and Leadership in Our Community while emphasizing civic engagement and economic empowerment. According to HABNET Chairman Jackson Rockingster, “In a democratic and capitalistic society, few individuals are as powerful as an entrepreneur who is civically engaged,” a platform that HABNET has served with distinction. Over two years HABNET has grown from a modest operation to its present fifty plus members representing an array of professionals and business owners from the five boroughs, Long Island, New Jersey and Florida. Event sponsors and supporters included Maimonides Medical Center, Mr. Claudy Dorestant of National Lending Corporation, 1199 SEIU and Optimum Realty.
HABNET and CHE
HAAPA, INC.
HAITIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR PROGRESSIVE ACTION
1452 Flatbush avenue, 3rd Fl
Brooklyn, New York 11210
Tel 718-360-5002 • Fax 718-360-5811
♦THE HAITIAN-AMERICAN... + More
Publication 
Brooklyn, New York 11210
