Brooklyn, NY—The Haitian-American Business Network (HABNET), formerly the HAAPA Business Network, and “18 Mai” Committee, Inc. as members of the Consortium for Haitian Empowerment, in collaboration with the Haitian-American Leadership Council, will hold the 2nd Annual Toussaint L’Ouverture Symposium and 2006 Business Awards on Monday, April 10, 2006, 5:45 pm at City Hall Chambers. In addition to informing the community about Toussaint L’Ouverture, the event will recognize notable Haitian-American Businesses in New York, and celebrate the Co-Naming of Nostrand Avenue to Toussaint L’Ouverture Blvd, which occurred last year. April 7, 2006 will mark the 203rd anniversary of the death of Toussaint L’Ouverture. In honor and memory of this cultural icon, we create the L’Ouverture Business Award emphasizing economic freedom and empowerment in the Haitian-American community, while promoting Haiti’s rich history. Last year, more than two hundred people attended the event, also held at City Hall Chambers. The speakers included Jackson Rockingster, Chairman of HAAPA, INC. / The Haitian-American Business Network, Ruddel Deceus, President of “18 Mai” Committee, Inc., Reginald Souffrant, Coordinator of the Haitian-American Cultural Development Network and Emmanuel Coffy, Esq., Chairman of the Haitian-American Leadership Council. The special guest speaker was scholar Jacques Vielot whose presentation titled “Toussaint L’Ouverture, A Model of Leadership” moved the audience to a standing ovation.

This year the speakers will be just as dynamic, the honorees just as deserving and the information just as empowering. The 2nd Annual Toussaint L’Ouverture Symposium and 2006 Business Awards is a free event, hosted by City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn with Councilmembers Leroy Comrie, James Sanders, Yvette Clarke, Kendall Stewart and Letitia James. The community is invited.