Revolution of the Spirit - Spotlight on Haitian-Americans changing the community

Change is brave, dangerous work. And in the history of the "New World," Haiti is one of those countries that showed immeasurable bravery and initiative in carving their future. A humble group of slaves in 1804 managed to give birth to a country, earning the prestige of being the first Black republic.

As Haiti celebrates its 208th anniversary of independence, the National Weekly highlights four Haitian-Americans who are building a quiet revolution of their own – transforming both American and Haitian economies, establishing access to human rights and needs and creating spaces for the two cultures to learn and be inspired. We hope their work is just the beginning of a new revolution, in honor of Haiti and the United States, two nations so closely bonded through change.

Pierre Saliba - Building business with the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida

This past summer's Women in Production 2011 brought out a stylish affair, featuring 55 women entrepreneurs from Haiti and South Florida. The bright displays of handbags, jewelry, and cosmetics – all chic and patriotic – were a sharp contrast to the general economic confusion in Haiti and the United States.

It is the image chairman Pierre Saliba and the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida are working to strengthen for the future of both countries' businesses.

"My goal, and the goal of the chamber is two-fold," says Saliba, "to help small businesses in Florida, mostly Miami, strive in this difficult environment... and to promote all the small business in the Haitian community."

Building Haitian and American business relations proves an appropriate role for Saliba, an accountant and native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Saliba began working alongside his parents at a young age, while learning from the rich culture of his grandparents of Lebanese decent and the "very open culture in Port-au-Prince... both of them intertwine and made us what we are now."

"I grew up in a family where both my parents worked very hard," recalls Saliba. "I grew up in an environment where if you work hard, you can make your success. Teachers instilled in us the value of working hard. Respect your teachers, your elders. Try to be a good citizen as much as you can. That's what was instilled in me, and I was fortunate to grow up in the 1970s, a peaceful time in Haiti at that time."

The Chamber's new programs under Saliba's leadership put the success of small business as the key to a return to prosperity for both economies. The new year will bring another installment of the Women in Production expo, with "40 to 50 women, 10 to 20 from Diaspora," says Saliba. The program also includes a mentorship aspect, connecting exhibitors with business possibilities in the South Florida community.

Mentorship efforts have also expanded to the E-Gardening program, in partnership with Miami-Dade College, The Carrie P. Meek Foundation and Well Fargo. This program pairs an emerging business with a long established enterprise. The partnership meets on a monthly basis to help with all the issues of a new company, from legal and accounting to advertising and e-commerce, "as a way of creating more small, minority enterprises in the U.S."

The Haitian American Chamber of Commerce is also "looking at where the small, minority Haitian businesses can partner with the Haiti recovery," says Saliba.

"Investing in Haiti is a big [deal]," says Saliba. "It can come in so many ways... But I believe that for Haiti to succeed, Haitians-Americans must start a dialogue with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. We have so much to bring, money, experience and knowledge from around the world."

The sharing of ideas and resources, across seas and cultures, remains at the core of the chamber's efforts – from the glossy expos to the casual meet-ups among members.

"Every time we [the Chamber] do meetings and seminars, we invite both Haitians and non-Haitians," says Saliba. "We are there to connect with others in the field. It is also a place for Haitian professionals to meet. So many Haitian professionals are here but we don't know each other. We are a way to connect, start a dialogue and begin business. The Chamber is a catalyst."

Read more profiles through the links below:

Marleine Bastien - "Strong women making strong communities"

Commissioner Jean Monestime - "Building bridges" for Miami-Dade

Eveline Pierre - Haitian museum for a living heritage