Seminar to Discuss Economic Development Initiatives for Haiti Will Build on
Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham’s Recent Missions to Haiti

On Monday, October 25, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham and Dr. Roy Hastick, Senior President and CEO of Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., hosted an economic development seminar on Haiti. Elected officials, prominent Haitian leaders, including Honorable Alix Baptiste, Secretary of State for Haitians Living Abroad, joined members of the Caribbean and business communities to discuss the pressing needs of Haiti in the wake of flooding in Fond Verretes and Mapou in May and the more recent devastation in Gonaives by Tropical Storm Jeanne. The goal of the seminar was to explore new economic development opportunities that will help to repair the damaged region and find new ways to strengthen the partnership between Brooklyn and Haiti.

“I’m proud of Deputy Borough President for her work in Haiti and very pleased that she and CACCI have convened today’s seminar,” said Borough President Marty Markowitz. “What happens in Haiti affects us all because Brooklyn is the center of commerce and culture for Haitians in America. This year Haiti celebrates two hundred years of independence, but what we are exploring at this seminar, is the value not of independence, but of interdependence--between Haitians in Brooklyn and in Haiti, among Haitian Americans and Caribbean Americans living here and abroad, and among all of us who understand that communities aren’t always defined by their geographic boundaries, but by shared traditions and hopes for the future.”

“The seeds for this seminar were planted during my two recent visits to Haiti, where I had the opportunity to meet with the Honorable Alix Baptiste and learn of the new economic development plans for the country,” said Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham. “While I have been overwhelmed by the devastation that I have witnessed during my trips to Haiti, the spirit of the people, like the spirit of the people of Brooklyn, is alive and well. The economic programs we are discussing today will make the bridge between Brooklyn and Haiti even stronger. These programs will help our brothers and sisters in Haiti rebuild their communities today, as well as give them hope for the future.”

During Graham’s visit in October she worked with Groupe D’Appui Au Developpement Rural (GADRU) to create a micro-economic development program that will provide grants to individuals for the purchase of livestock or agricultural products that were lost during the flooding. The program will also provide micro-loans to small business owners to help them stimulate their businesses.

The seminar is part of an ongoing initiative by the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office to provide support to Haiti that has included two goodwill and fact-finding missions by Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham to Haiti. These humanitarian trips were funded by the generous donations of Brooklynites, through the Christian Cultural Center, under the leadership of Dr. A.R. Bernard.