VANIA ANDRE
Vania André is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Haitian Times. Under her leadership, The Haitian Times has evolved from a local weekly publication to a globally recognized brand, chronicling the vibrant Haitian community across borders. With over a decade of dedicated service, Vania oversees all facets of editorial, product, audience engagement, and business operations, collaborating closely with the executive team to drive organizational strategy and implementation.
Vania is also an assistant professor of journalism, media studies, and public relations at The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University; and principal and founder of MUSER, a full-service creative agency specializing in integrated branding, marketing, and public relations campaigns.
Vania is also an assistant professor of journalism, media studies, and public relations at The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University; and principal and founder of MUSER, a full-service creative agency specializing in integrated branding, marketing, and public relations campaigns.
CLAUDETTE DAVID
Claudette David is a national political strategist and federal advocacy leader with more than 20 years of experience across the U.S. Congress, national campaigns, and nonprofit leadership. She began her career in public service as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon and later served in both the U.S. House of Representatives (as an intern) and U.S. Senate, where she held senior leadership roles for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Claudette has been at the forefront of national advocacy efforts impacting Haitian communities, playing a key role in advancing the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, supporting the successful discharge petition strategy to force a vote on Haitian Temporary Protected Status, and contributing to the passage of federal legislation to extend TPS protections for Haitians. A recipient of the 2024 Presidential Volunteer Service Award for public service, she now leads strategic advocacy initiatives through her firm, Orelhomme Prospere Group LLC, partnering with national coalitions, faith leaders, and policymakers to shape federal policy and expand civic engagement.
Claudette has been at the forefront of national advocacy efforts impacting Haitian communities, playing a key role in advancing the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, supporting the successful discharge petition strategy to force a vote on Haitian Temporary Protected Status, and contributing to the passage of federal legislation to extend TPS protections for Haitians. A recipient of the 2024 Presidential Volunteer Service Award for public service, she now leads strategic advocacy initiatives through her firm, Orelhomme Prospere Group LLC, partnering with national coalitions, faith leaders, and policymakers to shape federal policy and expand civic engagement.
SANDRA DIEUDONNE
Sandra Dieudonne, Esq. is an immigration attorney, media entrepreneur, and community advocate at the intersection of law, culture, and justice.
Sandra serves as Supervising Attorney of the Haitian Response Initiative at Catholic Charities of New York, where she has won asylum cases, filed hundreds of TPS and Humanitarian Employment Authorization applications.
As the immediate past president of the Haitian American Lawyers Association of NY, she recently co-authored an amici curiae brief with HALANY and HALA-IL to the United States Supreme Court in support of Milot and the respondents in the landmark Haitian TPS case. Sandra states “For us as Haitian American attorneys, this was never just a filing. It was a statement. A declaration that we stand for our community, that we show up when it matters, and that our voices belong in the highest court in the land.”
Sandra’s contributions have earned her recognition at every level. She is a 2022 Rutgers African American Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, a 2023 National Bar Association Hidden Figures honoree and a 2023 City & State NY Women Power List honoree. She also received a 2024 NYC Haitian Heritage Citation.
She holds a J.D. with Honors from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, a B.A. from Rutgers College, and a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and lives in New Jersey with her daughter, Chloë.
Sandra serves as Supervising Attorney of the Haitian Response Initiative at Catholic Charities of New York, where she has won asylum cases, filed hundreds of TPS and Humanitarian Employment Authorization applications.
As the immediate past president of the Haitian American Lawyers Association of NY, she recently co-authored an amici curiae brief with HALANY and HALA-IL to the United States Supreme Court in support of Milot and the respondents in the landmark Haitian TPS case. Sandra states “For us as Haitian American attorneys, this was never just a filing. It was a statement. A declaration that we stand for our community, that we show up when it matters, and that our voices belong in the highest court in the land.”
Sandra’s contributions have earned her recognition at every level. She is a 2022 Rutgers African American Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, a 2023 National Bar Association Hidden Figures honoree and a 2023 City & State NY Women Power List honoree. She also received a 2024 NYC Haitian Heritage Citation.
She holds a J.D. with Honors from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, a B.A. from Rutgers College, and a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and lives in New Jersey with her daughter, Chloë.
RITA JOSEPH
New York City Council Member Rita Joseph was elected in 2021 to represent Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Kensington, Ditmas Park, and Southern Crown Heights. Before serving in the City Council, Ms. Joseph was a public school teacher, a community activist, and a proud union member.
After immigrating to the U.S. from Haiti in her youth, Ms. Joseph began her life of advocacy. At just 19 years old, she organized her first rally with a group she founded, Haitian Enforcement Against Racism, in order to protest the FDA’s discriminatory “bad blood” rules that prevented people of Haitian descent from donating blood. The rally succeeded in its mission, and the FDA rescinded the racist rule.
Since organizing the rally, which had more than 150,000 people participate, Ms. Joseph hasn’t looked back with her activism. Despite being a teen mom who was only able to attend college because of a full tuition scholarship, Ms. Joseph spent her twenties raising her children while organizing protests against police brutality and cuts to student transit discounts, even while working a full-time job. Since then, she hasn’t stopped working for her neighbors, both as a teacher at PS6 and as a community activist. Among many other successes, Ms. Joseph was able to provide for her school financially, securing hundreds of thousands of dollars for technological improvements that help thousands of children receive a better education, including funding from then-Borough President Eric Adams, Senator Kevin Parker, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, and then-Council Member Matthieu Eugene. Additionally, Ms. Joseph was appointed by State Senator Kevin Parker to serve as Chair of the Neighborhood Advisory Board and has been a part of the Citywide Participatory Budgeting Committee, thanks to an appointment by then-Council Speaker Corey Johnson. Council Member Joseph is focused on improving public schools, fighting for affordable housing, combatting the climate crisis, and achieving real criminal and social justice reform for New Yorkers.
After immigrating to the U.S. from Haiti in her youth, Ms. Joseph began her life of advocacy. At just 19 years old, she organized her first rally with a group she founded, Haitian Enforcement Against Racism, in order to protest the FDA’s discriminatory “bad blood” rules that prevented people of Haitian descent from donating blood. The rally succeeded in its mission, and the FDA rescinded the racist rule.
Since organizing the rally, which had more than 150,000 people participate, Ms. Joseph hasn’t looked back with her activism. Despite being a teen mom who was only able to attend college because of a full tuition scholarship, Ms. Joseph spent her twenties raising her children while organizing protests against police brutality and cuts to student transit discounts, even while working a full-time job. Since then, she hasn’t stopped working for her neighbors, both as a teacher at PS6 and as a community activist. Among many other successes, Ms. Joseph was able to provide for her school financially, securing hundreds of thousands of dollars for technological improvements that help thousands of children receive a better education, including funding from then-Borough President Eric Adams, Senator Kevin Parker, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, and then-Council Member Matthieu Eugene. Additionally, Ms. Joseph was appointed by State Senator Kevin Parker to serve as Chair of the Neighborhood Advisory Board and has been a part of the Citywide Participatory Budgeting Committee, thanks to an appointment by then-Council Speaker Corey Johnson. Council Member Joseph is focused on improving public schools, fighting for affordable housing, combatting the climate crisis, and achieving real criminal and social justice reform for New Yorkers.
JOCELYN MCCALLA
Jocelyn McCalla has long campaigned in favor of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Haiti, and for the rights of Haitians abroad. He consults regularly with a wide range of leaders, governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations of various ideological persuasions and interests.
Mr. McCalla served as Executive Director of the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) for some twenty years, and of the New Jersey Immigration Policy Network. Under his leadership, the NCHR established a field office in Haiti with the explicit purpose of spinning it off eventually into an independent human rights group led and managed by Haitians. It is today known as the Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains (RNDDH).
Mr. McCalla is a founder of the Haitian Studies Association. He has served on the Board of the National Immigration Forum, the NY Immigration Coalition, the Friends of Matènwa and the Advisory Board of Human Rights Watch/Americas. Prior to his elevation as Haitian-American Foundation for Democracy’s Executive Director, Mr. McCalla served as its Senior Policy Advisor.
Mr. McCalla was born in Haiti and resides in the United States.
Mr. McCalla served as Executive Director of the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) for some twenty years, and of the New Jersey Immigration Policy Network. Under his leadership, the NCHR established a field office in Haiti with the explicit purpose of spinning it off eventually into an independent human rights group led and managed by Haitians. It is today known as the Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains (RNDDH).
Mr. McCalla is a founder of the Haitian Studies Association. He has served on the Board of the National Immigration Forum, the NY Immigration Coalition, the Friends of Matènwa and the Advisory Board of Human Rights Watch/Americas. Prior to his elevation as Haitian-American Foundation for Democracy’s Executive Director, Mr. McCalla served as its Senior Policy Advisor.
Mr. McCalla was born in Haiti and resides in the United States.
MACOLVIE NEEL
Macollvie Neel moved to the U.S. from Haiti when she was 10, settling with her family in New York City. She said she felt lucky to be in a country where she could go to school uninterrupted by violence.A lifelong learner, Neel has a bachelor’s degree in business journalism from Baruch College and an MBA from Florida International University.Neel currently holds several media roles. She’s the executive editor of the Haitian Times, a publication focusing on the Haitian-American community, where she helps shape the coverage and editorial strategy of its digital newsroom. Neel is also a corporate communication consultant at Gagen McDonald, a management consulting firm. Combining her experience in management consulting and journalism, she develops employee communication content for corporate leaders. Her many passions also led her to create a one-woman publishing house: Comms Maven LLC. As an entrepreneur, Neel writes for various publications and offers freelance consulting. She is also writing a book about communications.
FRANCOIS PIERRE-LOUIS
François Pierre-Louis is Professor of Political Science at Queens College and International Migration Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center. His research interests include citizen participation, urban, comparative, and immigration politics. He has taught courses on American Politics, Black Political and Social Thought, International Organization (UN), Caribbean and Urban Politics, Model United Nations, the Politics of Immigration in the United States, and Global Immigrant Cities.
He is the author of Haitians in New York City: Transnationalism and Hometown Association (2006), co-editor of Immigrant Crossroads: Globalization, Incorporation, and Place-Making in Queens, with Tarry Hum, Ronald Hayduk, and Michael Krasner (Temple University Press, 2021). His articles have appeared in US Catholics, Wadabagei, Journal of Haitian Studies, Education and Urban Society, Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, Journal of Black Studies, Latin American Perspectives, and others. He served as a senior advisor for the Haiti-CUNY Program to the chancellor of the City University of New York from 2011-2016.
He is the author of Haitians in New York City: Transnationalism and Hometown Association (2006), co-editor of Immigrant Crossroads: Globalization, Incorporation, and Place-Making in Queens, with Tarry Hum, Ronald Hayduk, and Michael Krasner (Temple University Press, 2021). His articles have appeared in US Catholics, Wadabagei, Journal of Haitian Studies, Education and Urban Society, Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, Journal of Black Studies, Latin American Perspectives, and others. He served as a senior advisor for the Haiti-CUNY Program to the chancellor of the City University of New York from 2011-2016.
GARY PIERRE-PIERRE
Garry Pierre-Pierre is a Pulitzer-prize winning, multimedia and entrepreneurial journalist. In 1999, he left the New York Times to launch the Haitian Times, a New York-based English-language publication serving the Haitian Diaspora. He is also the co-founder of the City University Graduate School of Journalism‘s Center for Community and Ethnic Media and a senior producer at CUNY TV.He is a leading voice on Haiti, the Haitian diaspora and community media whose perspectives are often featured in multi-national media outlets. Connect with Garry on X @Pierre2Garry.
COLBERT SAINT-LAURENT
Colbert Saint-Laurent is a dynamic executive with over a decade of experience spanning healthcare operations, business development, community leadership, and strategic growth initiatives.
Colbert currently serves as Director of Capacity Building at the Haitian American Alliance of New York, leading initiatives that strengthen organizational infrastructure, build strategic partnerships, and expand leadership development across diverse communities. His work focuses on scaling impact, empowering teams, and aligning mission-driven organizations with sustainable growth strategies.
Colbert currently serves as Director of Capacity Building at the Haitian American Alliance of New York, leading initiatives that strengthen organizational infrastructure, build strategic partnerships, and expand leadership development across diverse communities. His work focuses on scaling impact, empowering teams, and aligning mission-driven organizations with sustainable growth strategies.
JEAN SEMELFORT
Jean Semelfort is a New Jersey and Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor with 15+ years of experience in the fields of mental health, sexual assault and violence prevention, and culturally competent psychotherapy/education. He has demonstrated experience with children, adolescents, adults and families in direct practice, within educational institutions and in the community. His expertise includes working with survivors and perpetrators of sexual assault and interpersonal violence, LGBTQIA, criminal justice, substance abuse, serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), mental illness and chemical addiction (MICA), trauma, and masculinity. He is a seasoned clinician, advocate, educator and entrepreneur. Founder of the CACTUS Center, a community-based private psychotherapy practice. Jean merges black feminist principles with his clinical skills to address issues at hand. He has been involved with the work of Incultured Co for the past 2-3 years to dismantle disinformation and engage in transformational healing practices for those of the Haitian diaspora.
CARRIE SOLAGES
Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Valley Stream) is currently serving his third term in the Nassau County Legislature, representing the 3rd Legislative District. The 3rd Legislative District is comprised of Elmont, Valley Stream, South Floral Park Inwood and portions of Lawrence & N. Woodmere.
During his time in office, Legislator Solages has fought to ensure that the 3rd Legislative District remains strong and safe. Following Super Storm Sandy, Legislator Solages worked tirelessly with LIPA to coordinate the restoration of power to the district. When the County moved to cut the 5th Precinct of the Nassau County Police Department, Legislator Solages moved to mobilize the community against cuts in public safety, ultimately getting the 5th Precinct re-opened in April of 2015. In late 2015, when both Inwood and Belmont Park were named as potential sites for a Video Lottery Terminal Casino, Legislator worked with both communities to defeat the proposals, and move the proposed Video Lottery Terminals to the existing casino at Aqueduct.
Legislator Solages has worked hard to provide events for residents of the community. These events include “National Night Out Against Crime” to promote relationship between the community and the police, a Health and Wellness Forum, Veterans Thank You Breakfast, a Spring Egg Hunt, Haitian Flag Day Celebration and Inwood Day. Legislator Solages partners with sponsors, local businesses and county agencies to provide these free events for the residents of the community to attend, enjoy, and receive services.
During his time in office, Legislator Solages has fought to ensure that the 3rd Legislative District remains strong and safe. Following Super Storm Sandy, Legislator Solages worked tirelessly with LIPA to coordinate the restoration of power to the district. When the County moved to cut the 5th Precinct of the Nassau County Police Department, Legislator Solages moved to mobilize the community against cuts in public safety, ultimately getting the 5th Precinct re-opened in April of 2015. In late 2015, when both Inwood and Belmont Park were named as potential sites for a Video Lottery Terminal Casino, Legislator worked with both communities to defeat the proposals, and move the proposed Video Lottery Terminals to the existing casino at Aqueduct.
Legislator Solages has worked hard to provide events for residents of the community. These events include “National Night Out Against Crime” to promote relationship between the community and the police, a Health and Wellness Forum, Veterans Thank You Breakfast, a Spring Egg Hunt, Haitian Flag Day Celebration and Inwood Day. Legislator Solages partners with sponsors, local businesses and county agencies to provide these free events for the residents of the community to attend, enjoy, and receive services.
YOLETTE WILLIAMS
Yolette Williams, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Psychotherapist, Licensed Bilingual Haitian Creole School Social Worker. She is Board Certified in Neurofeedback, and is a Certified School District Administrator. She holds a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. Yolette Williams has spent many years working in different capacities with the NYC Department of Education (DOE), primarily serving bilingual children, students with special needs and their families. Her expertise extends to the neurological based disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Learning Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many of her roles at the DOE, included, but not limited to Mediator, Impartial Hearing Litigator, counseling services, consultant to school principals and teachers.
For the last 20 years, as president of CSW Brain Enhancement and Psychotherapy, Ms. Williams has simultaneously maintained a private practice, providing psychotherapy services to patients diagnosed primarily with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorder,Intergenerational / family difficulties and neurological based disorders. In 2010, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, she was called upon by Partners in Health to provide counseling support, and train mental health professionals, alongside Zanmi Lasante, their sister organization in Haiti.
Since July 2018, Ms. Williams has assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit organization, Haitian American Alliance of NewYork, an organization she has been affiliated with the past 25 years. From 2009, through 2016, she has co-led yearly, medicalmissions to Haiti, including a couple of additional mental health specific missions. From the onset of the pandemic, Ms. Williams rallied community partners, leaders and other Community Based Organizations to form a COVID Taskforce in order to appropriately coordinate service and respond to our community during this most difficult period. Ms. Williams was the recipient of the Ford Freedom Unsung “Heroes of COVID- 19” award from the Ford Rainbow Push Coalition. She has also received other accolades for her dedication to community services, leadership, efforts, and commitment.
For the last 20 years, as president of CSW Brain Enhancement and Psychotherapy, Ms. Williams has simultaneously maintained a private practice, providing psychotherapy services to patients diagnosed primarily with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorder,Intergenerational / family difficulties and neurological based disorders. In 2010, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, she was called upon by Partners in Health to provide counseling support, and train mental health professionals, alongside Zanmi Lasante, their sister organization in Haiti.
Since July 2018, Ms. Williams has assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit organization, Haitian American Alliance of NewYork, an organization she has been affiliated with the past 25 years. From 2009, through 2016, she has co-led yearly, medicalmissions to Haiti, including a couple of additional mental health specific missions. From the onset of the pandemic, Ms. Williams rallied community partners, leaders and other Community Based Organizations to form a COVID Taskforce in order to appropriately coordinate service and respond to our community during this most difficult period. Ms. Williams was the recipient of the Ford Freedom Unsung “Heroes of COVID- 19” award from the Ford Rainbow Push Coalition. She has also received other accolades for her dedication to community services, leadership, efforts, and commitment.
SIMACT, INC.
SIMACT, INC. is a group of professionals founded in 2004 to invest exclusively in Haiti with the mission to help in the development of the Homeland. To that end, they developed a diversified investment portfolio in Tourism, Agriculture, Commercial activities, and Real Estates.
Against the many challenges, both natural and man-made, the company has managed to acquire tangible properties, such as the famous hotel Cap Lamandou of Jacmel, a vast Oceanfront property in Jacmel for resort-style complex of waterfront condos in Jacmel, other properties in Milot, Trou du Nord, Acul du Nord, and a sizeable number of shares of Haitian Mining company, SOMINE.
The Simact Inc. is a socially conscious company committed to pursue its mission to invest in Haiti despite the high risk of any personal gains against the noble benefits of human lifeimprovement.
Donate or volunteer to help our Haitian community; please call or email today!
Contact
Address
486 Lincoln PlaceBrooklyn, NY, 11238
Service Area
New York, NY