U.S. Haitian Chamber Names 25 Finalists Ahead of Business Summit and Awards Gala

RANDOLPH, Mass. — Twenty-five Haitian American professionals, entrepreneurs, civic leaders and cultural voices from across the United States have been named finalists for the 7th Annual Haitian American Young Professional Awards, setting the stage for a major weekend of celebration and conversation about the future of Haiti and its diaspora.

Selected from more than 200 nominations nationwide, the finalists will be honored during the National Haitian American Young Professional Awards Gala on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Blue Hills Ballroom in Randolph, Massachusetts.

The gala will follow the Second Annual Haitian American Business Summit on Saturday, October 31, organized by the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce under the theme:

“Rebuilding Haiti Through Business, Trade & Diaspora Leadership.”

The two events are designed to complement each other: the Summit will focus on economic development, investment, governance and diaspora engagement, while the Gala will recognize a new generation of Haitian American excellence.

The 25 Finalists

Five finalists were selected in each of five categories.

Haitian American Young Professional of the Year

Sandra Florent, Sherline Lexime, Rebecca Beliard, Eustache Clerveaux and Wide M. Thomas.

Haitian American Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Eva Bryant, Gregory Francois, Jonathan Pierre Lafleur, Merline Thermora, and Daphnee and Wanddy La Fleur.

Haitian American Young Citizen of the Year

Melinda Jules, Tachana Joseph, Sarah Joseph, Juvanie Piquant and Cindy Dieujuste-Jacob.

Haitian American Young Leader of the Year

Edvardine Joseph, Kenny Mascary, Jeff Charnel, Cawens Fleurilus and Jodel Jeremie.

Haitian American Young Influencer of the Year

Karm Augustin, Julie Dastine, Melody Edward, Mirline Fourron and Elizabeth Delouis.

The winners will be announced during the November 1 gala, which will bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, elected officials, community leaders, artists and supporters from across the country.

A Summit Focused on Haiti’s Economic Future

Before the celebration, the October 31 Business Summit will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, financial institutions, private-sector leaders and diaspora organizations for a wide-ranging discussion about Haiti’s future.

The preliminary agenda tackles some of the country’s most difficult and consequential issues, including elections, governance, democratic stability, security, economic recovery and job creation.

A major session on U.S.–Haiti Trade, Manufacturing, Export & Market Opportunities will explore how Haiti can expand production, exports and manufacturing while creating stronger connections between Haitian producers and the U.S. marketplace.

The conversation is expected to include agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, market access and the HOPE and HELP trade preference programs.

The underlying question is straightforward but important:
How can Haiti produce more, sell more, attract investment and create sustainable jobs?

Moving Beyond Remittances

Another major focus of the Summit will be the role of the Haitian diaspora.

The theme “Rebuilding Haiti Through Business, Trade & Diaspora Leadership” makes an important assertion: the diaspora should not be viewed simply as a source of remittances or emergency assistance.

It is also a reservoir of expertise, capital, relationships, purchasing power and leadership.

Across the United States are Haitian American doctors, engineers, bankers, lawyers, educators, elected officials, technologists, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, investors and young professionals.

Many want to contribute to Haiti. The more difficult question has always been how.

“For too long, the Haitian diaspora has been measured primarily by how much money we send home during times of need. But our contribution can be much greater than remittances.”

“We have professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, business owners and leaders across the United States with tremendous knowledge, networks and purchasing power. The challenge now is creating the structures and connections that allow that capacity to translate into trade, investment, stronger businesses and sustainable jobs in Haiti. That is the conversation we want this Summit to advance.”

— Dr. Hans Patrick Domercant, President and CEO, U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce

A session titled “From Influence to Impact: Mobilizing the Haitian Diaspora for Haiti’s Economic Future” will examine how diaspora resources can move beyond remittances into investment, entrepreneurship, procurement, trade, mentorship, technology and workforce development.

The Summit will also include conversations on investing in Haiti, doing business in Haiti, and how Haitian businesses and diaspora entrepreneurs can build stronger commercial relationships.

Technology, Capital and the Future of Haitian Business

The agenda also looks at the role of technology and access to capital.

A session on Digital Governance will examine how digital identity, electronic government services, payments, cybersecurity, customs modernization, tax systems and business registration can strengthen institutions and improve the environment for investment.

For entrepreneurs in the United States, the Summit will also feature programming on AI for Small Business, Access to Capital, Credit & Wealth Building, and business growth.

These discussions reflect a broader message: strengthening Haiti and strengthening Haitian American businesses are not separate goals.

A more financially successful and connected diaspora may be better positioned to invest, trade, mentor and build partnerships with Haiti.

TPS, Immigration and Community Resilience

The Summit will also address the realities facing Haitian families in the United States.

A panel on TPS, Immigration & the Future of Haitian Families in America will examine how immigration uncertainty affects workers, entrepreneurs, employers and families.

A separate fireside chat will focus on mental health, TPS uncertainty and resilience in the Haitian American community.

These issues are closely connected to economic stability. Immigration status affects employment, entrepreneurship, family finances and the ability of Haitian Americans to plan for the future.

Why the Diaspora Should Be in the Room

The strongest argument for attending the Summit may be that the Haitian diaspora already possesses much of the talent, expertise and economic capacity needed to help create stronger connections with Haiti.

What is often missing are the structures that connect people.

A Summit cannot solve Haiti’s challenges in one day. But it can bring together investors and entrepreneurs, producers and buyers, banks and business owners, policymakers and private-sector leaders, and professionals who may otherwise never meet.

The closing plenary, “From Conversation to Action: Building the Economic Connections Haiti Needs,” is expected to focus on turning discussion into real partnerships and economic opportunities.

The Chamber is also expected to make a special announcement during the Summit related to strengthening economic connections between Haiti and the United States.

Two Days, One Larger Message

Taken together, the October 31 Summit and November 1 Gala send a powerful message.

The Summit asks how the Haitian diaspora can become more strategically involved in Haiti’s economic future.

The Gala demonstrates that the talent already exists.

The 25 finalists represent professionals, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, advocates, executives and innovators who are helping expand Haitian American influence across the United States.

Celebrating that achievement matters. Connecting that talent to a broader vision of investment, trade, job creation and economic development may matter even more.

For members of the Haitian diaspora who want to do more than watch Haiti’s challenges from a distance, this weekend presents an opportunity to be part of a larger conversation about what comes next.