It’s my honor to stand before you today. Leading is not easy to do, yet there were brave and courageous people who saw a need for advocacy and representation of our Haitian Diaspora and established the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce in 2007. It is on their shoulders our Board of Directors stand on and continue their success and achievements.
My vision and mission for GHACC for 2025 is simple: Connection. Last year we went out into the community, conducted Town Halls, and other grassroots efforts to listen. This year, we are committing ourselves to deeper and more meaningful engagements with our members, partners, and the community we serve.
To my Board of Directors, thank you for accepting the call to serve. Leading is roll up your sleeves. In asking that you become more familiar with our General Body Members. You’re going to need to be more available to nurture, guide and mentor. I’m also directing you to share in the success and generate new business deals and referrals.
Our Partners are vital to our mission. This year, we will focus on nurturing these relationships with greater intentionality and consistency. By deepening our connections with our partners, we aim to create more opportunities, resources, and avenues for success that benefit not just your brands but also amplify the positive impacts and contributions your making to our shared community.
Finally, I want to challenge each of us, myself included, to embrace the power of “asking”. Too often, we allow our professional aspirations and goals to be constrained by hesitation or fear of rejection. That stops now. No more entering a room and sitting in the back. No more diminishing your skills and God given talents with limiting beliefs. I encourage, no, DEMAND that each of you stand tall and Ask for what you need that you know will elevate your profession. Many of you know that I often say, you’re one person away from your biggest deal!
Our Chamber is a resource and a network. Let’s lean on each other, declare our ambitions, admit our missteps, and publicize our wins to create a culture where asking is celebrated as a step toward progress. In fact, it’s the only way we can grow.
I’m excited for what we’ve got planned for 2025, I see a year filled with potential and impact. Together, we can make this vision a reality, one step and one bold ask at a time.
Thank you!