2020 Calendar Journal HABNET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Brief History & Mission HABNET (HAITIAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS NETWORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) is a network of business owners, investors and professionals established as a Division of HAAPA, aka HAAPA-PAC in 2004. In 2008 HABNET became a Chamber of Commerce and an independent entity in 2009. We are dedicated to promoting higher business standards and better business methods, as well as fostering trade and commerce in the community. We provide business education and financial literacy to our members and the public. We promote the general welfare and prosperity of the community by encouraging entrepreneurship, investment and civic engagement. We are a not-for-profit institution performing a public service to empower, and champion the cause of, the Haitian-American small business community and other underrepresented communities. Our Mission is to holistically support and promote entrepreneurship, investment and civic engagement, primarily but not exclusively, in underserved immigrant communities. Vision Having a dynamic entrepreneurial group in the United States that is civically engaged with a common purpose, which is to Educate ourselves to Participate successfully in the Economic and Civic life of our community, thereby Elevate and Empower ourselves. Goals Increase financial literacy & business education programs in our community. Increase the number of HABNET Member M/WBE Certifications. Strengthen the relationship between member businesses and elected officials. Increase HABNET Membership. Programs Financial Literacy/Business Education and Support Services are the bi-monthly Business Education and Financial Literary sessions for members and the community. Featuring sessions such as “Entrepreneurial Boot Camp” and “Teachings of Best Practices to Running a Small Business.” As well as M/WBE Application Assistance; Business Plan Assistance; Business Financing Assistance and more. Workforce Development & Job Placement is a program that trains people to work in a specific field and/or company, usually that of a HABNET member. The first phase of the program involves training at HABNET. The second phase of the program is placement based on the participants’ interest, which is matched with a prospective employer. Young Entrepreneur Citizen Program (YECP) is a combination of financial literacy, workforce development, civic education, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. The program is designed to harness the leadership, technological, communication and interpersonal skills of young people and simultaneously prepare them as the next generation of civic-minded entrepreneurs. Toussaint L’Ouverture Symposium and Small Business Expo is an educational and recreational program that brings awareness to the historical achievements of Toussaint L’Ouverture, a 19th century national Icon of Haiti, in order to spread the L’Ouverturian principle. The principle emphasizes the importance of civics and economics as means of empowerment. Member businesses are showcased at the event thereby creating opportunities for participants to network. Neighborhood Development is coordinated by HABNET by organizing the FS Nostrand Merchant Association and supporting its mission to synchronize the efforts of the merchants and residents of Nostrand Avenue toward promoting and maintaining a clean and safe environment conductive to commercial and social activity, while showcasing and preserving, the corridor’s unique multicultural and largely Caribbean characteristics. “In a capitalistic and democratic society few individuals are as influential as the entrepreneur who is civically-engaged.” ~Jackson Rockingster, President & CEO, HABNET CHAmBER Of COmmERCE CONNECT WITH HABNET LEADERSHIP David Morriset, Esq Yvans Morisseau Margarette Tropnas,LMSW Roberto Samedy Max Jean-Paul, Ed.D Frantzy Pierre-Louis ADVISORY BOARD James Sanon Fritz Clairvil Hassan Bakiriddin Mahadya Mary ADMINISTRATION STAFF Jackson Rockingster, MA Osmarc Gaspard, EA Daniel Heredia Afshan Begum FOUNDERS Dr. Sophia Lubin was vigorously involved in Mr. Claudy Dorestant is a founding member the inception of HAAPA, which led to the of HAAPA and HABNET. He is currently the creation of HABNET. She currently serves as owner of Dorestant Tax Services offering the interim vice president of The Alliance assistance with tax preparation, and Relief Mission for Haiti, an organization planning for individuals. He is a Certified devoted to aiding the town of Archaie in Teacher of Mathematics and holds a Master Haiti. She has committed at least ten years of Science Degree in Economics from to helping Haiti on all fronts and remains a Brooklyn College. very active part of the African Diaspora. Ms. Samille V. Jean-Pierre is a Hofstra Mr. Pierre Michel is a senior Public Health University alumna with a B.A. in Political Advisor for the NYCDOHM Tuberculosis Science and Biology. She is one of the program. Mr. Michel is a cofounder and founding members of HAAPA and HABNET served on the Executive Board of HAAPA and has flourished as a public relations (2004-2006). For ten years he served as expert and journalist. She is also the founder President of ADAEF, the Alumni Association and CEO of JP Relations LLC, a full service of Ste. Enfance that was established to help public relations and marketing firm within support children in Croix-des-Bouquets, his Haitian arts and culture. original hometown in Haiti. Mr. Karl Lherrisson is a graduate of Brooklyn Mr. Yvans Morisseau is Interim Acting College. He is also a founder and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of one of two Technology Officers of HAAPA. A HABNET and is in charge of HABNET Senior Network Administrator / Manager at outreach in Miami, Florida. He co-founded Sakonnet Technology, LLC, and the Principal the Haitian American Business Network, of Lherrisson Technology Solutions. He a division of HAAPA, Inc, dedicated to is effective at team building, vendor promoting higher business standards and negotiations and maximizing the benefits of better business methods as well as fostering applicable infrastructure. trade and commerce in the community. Mr. Louis Loncke is the Principal of LogiTech Mr. Jackson Rockingster is President and IT Solutions Inc., where he oversees a wide CEO of HABNET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. array of tech services for the company’s Mr. Rockingster is a co-founder of HABNET corporate, non-profit and small business and HAAPA-PAC. He serves as Vice-Chair of clientele. Honored with a Citation by the Flatbush Nostrand Junction Business Council Member Jumaane D. Williams and Improvement District, and serves on the recognized as one of the founders of HAAPA board of the Flatbush YMCA. He is also a and HABNET, Mr. Loncke has made an impact County Committee Member with the 42nd in the IT solutions field as well as among the Assembly District and is an Adjunct Professor Haitian and Caribbean community. at Metropolitan College of New York. Notable People of Haitian Ancestry 2020 Calendar Journal January 2020 arie Clotilde Janvier | Janvye MENTAL AWARENESS MONTH M“Toto” Bissainthe (1934 – 1994) was a Haitian actress and singer known for her innovative S M T W T F S blend of traditional Vodou and rural 1 2 3 4 themes and music with contemporary lyricism and arrangements. Born in Cap- Haïtien in 1934, she left Haiti at an early age to pursue her acting studies abroad. The Griots was the troupe that gave the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 first performance of Jean Genet’s play “The Blacks.” She also worked with the playwright Samuel Beckett and the director VALENTINe’s DAY (US) Roger Blin and acted in several films. With a groundbreaking performance in 1973 at La 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 vieille grille in Paris, Bissainthe established herself as singer-songwriter-composer, stunning the audience with her soul- stirring renditions of original compositions that paid homage to the lives, struggles, 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 miseries and spirituality of working class and rural Haitians. The singer and actress PRESIDENt’s DAY (US) ASH WEDNESDAY (US) Toto Bissainthe was recognized by many as a CARNIVAL (HAITI) champion of Haitian music abroad. An artist in exile, Toto Bissainthe will be unable to return to the Haiti that so 26 27 28 29 30 31 inspired her until the departure of Jean- Claude Duvalier in 1986. However, the multiple disappointments of the unending democratic transition and political infighting would forever embitter the outspoken artist, who had long dreamed of a return to help IMPORTANT DATES: rebuild her motherland. JAN 15: BUSINESS EDUCATION SESSION IN ENGLISH & CREOLE | 6:45PM - 9:00PM | HABNET 1401 Flatbush AVE, SUITE 203, BrooKLYN, NY 11210 Notable PeoplePlaces of of HaitianHaiti Ancestry 2020 Calendar Journal February 2020 Février | Fevrye BLACK HISTORY MONTH S M T W T F S 1 ort-de-Paix (Haitian Creole: Pòdepè Por Pòdpè English: Port of Peace) is a 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 commune and the capital of the Nord-Ouest department of Haiti on the Atlantic coast. It has a population of 462,000 (2015 IHSI VALENTINe’s DAY (US) estimate). Port-de-Paix used to be a large exporter of bananas and coffee. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 The town was founded in 1665 by French filibusters, driven from Tortuga Island by the British occupiers. In 1676 the capital of the French Colony of Saint-Domingue was moved from Tortuga to Port-de-Paix, and it remained the seat of government until 1711 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 when the capital was moved to Cap-Français. PRESIDENt’s DAY (US) In 1676, Padrejean escaped from slavery in ASH WEDNESDAY (US) CARNIVAL (HAITI) the Port. In 1679 the town saw the first black slave revolt. The area saw great success during the 18th century but on February 27, 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1903 the town was almost entirely destroyed by fire, and never attained its former status. IMPORTANT DATES: FEB 5: FS NOSTRAND MERCHANT ASSOCIATION MEETING | 6:45PM - 8:30PM | ALOUETTE’S BEAUTY SALON, 1624 NOSTRAND AVE, brooKLYN NY 11216 FEB 28: strategies FOR GETTING THE JOB YOU WANT | 6:30PM - 8:30PM | HABNET 1401 flatbush AVE, SUITE 203, brooKLYN NY 11210 Notable People of Haitian Ancestry 2020 Calendar Journal March 2020 uce Turnier was Mars | Mas WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH Lborn on February 24, 1924, in the southern coastal town of Jacmel, S M T W T F S Haiti.