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DATE: JANUARY 13 TO JANUARY 19
PLACE: Southern University Law Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana At The Nelson Mandela Center For Public Policy
Invited Groups: Montana Accord, The Pen Accord, Cesco, Akor Lari A, And Ariel Henry Accord
To receive an Invitation, click here to register To Donate (Click here) #HaitiUnitySummit, #SupportHaitiUnitySummit, #HDPAC.
Sponsored by: HDPAC & GIPHRADREC
Jude Chidi Ogene is the founder and chief executive officer of Charles Winnsboro Corporation, a consulting and advisory firm focused on infrastructure development in sub-Saharan Africa. The company’s main areas of expertise are higher education, workforce development, and capital markets. Jude also serves as senior counsel at Sterlington, PLLC, a virtual law firm specializing in high-end transactional and litigation work.
Before forming Charles Winnsboro, Jude served in senior leadership roles with a higher education management company. He joined the company as its first General Counsel and led the transactional and regulatory aspects of over $300 million in follow-on investments in the company by private equity firms. He also took up operating roles with the company’s schools, serving as the Interim Dean of one school and as the President of another. He returned to the General Counsel role in 2017, where he worked to convert the company’s schools to non-profit institutions and restructure the company.
Prior to going in-house, Jude practiced corporate law with law firms in New York and Washington DC. He began his legal career with Sullivan & Cromwell after graduating from Georgetown University with a combined Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration. In addition to his degrees from Georgetown, Jude has a LL.B. from the University of Nigeria and a B.L. from the Nigerian Law School. He also has a certificate in Blockchain Strategy from Oxford University.
Jude is passionate about workforce development and lifelong learning. His particular interest is in exploring how blockchain and other emerging technologies such as AI can democratize access to quality education and healthcare. He is a frequent commentator on the impact of blockchain and cryptocurrency developments on sub-Saharan Africa.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Jude volunteers with a number of organizations. He serves as the vice-chairman of the Board and General Counsel of AIDE Africa, an organization dedicated to the development of the African continent through investments in healthcare, agriculture, and renewable energy. He is the Chairman of the Board of AFGCEAA Corp., a U.S. public charity formed for the benefit of current students and alumni of Federal Government College Enugu (his alma mater). He is also a Trustee of the Great Alpha Foundation, a private foundation that provides financial and other assistance to the less privileged.
Ms. Dorothy Dupuy
Dorothy has been a voting rights advocate for more than a decade. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Africana Studies with a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies from Cornell University in 2014. She also studied Arabic and French during her studies at Cornell. Dorothy began her professional career in enterprise sales at Oracle Corporation in Austin, Texas. In 2016, she championed the first-ever Sickle Cell 5K Walk/Run at Oracle and registered more than 100 individuals to vote in a non-partisan voter registration drive at Oracle’s North Austin office.
After the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, she became a disaster relief worker in Harris and Fort Bend counties in Texas. In 2020, Dorothy was a regional voting rights organizer in 5 counties in the Greater Houston, Texas area. She has been a deputy voter registrar in Austin and Houston as well as surrounding counties. Dorothy has varied experiences in the domains of open source intelligence (OSINT) and non-financial due diligence. Her interests include learning American Sign Language (ASL), preparing vegan meals, OSINT, geopolitics, and volunteering as an English as a foreign language teacher.
Jean D. Vernet, II is a long-time community activist and organizer who played a very visible and crucial role in mobilizing the Haitian American community in participating in the historic march of April 20, 1990 against the unscientific designation of Haitians as particularly susceptible to the HIV virus. Subsequently, Jean worked on issues of voter participation, civic education and was successful enough to be solicited to run for the city council of New York in 2001.
His unsuccessful campaign was a high-water mark in the political participation of Haitian Americans in New York City.
He has a B.A. in Comparative Literature with a focus on the evolution of cultural Identity in both the diaspora and African literatures and a Master’s of Science in Community Economic Development from the Southern New Hampshire University.
Jean has an abiding interest in economic empowerment as key to community resiliency. He has worked in that field in New York City and Haiti, providing training in business skills, money management and assets acquisition to marginalized communities.
He has also worked as a consultant to the Central Bank of Haiti, the Office of the President of Haiti and the Deputy Speaker Assembly of the State of New York.
Jean’s commitment to community empowerment has recently been focused exclusively on financial education which is a natural outgrow of his education. He is currently responsible for a Financial Literacy program in Brooklyn, New Yorkwhile continuing to work as a consultant in the private sector.
Renee Ballantyne is the current President and a founding member of HDPAC, where she leads the government communications team and engages daily with stakeholders at the White House, internationally, in Haiti, and beyond. Committed to supporting a Haitian-led solution that addresses the needs of the Diaspora, she advocates the wishes of the Diaspora for a safe and secure homeland, the fulfillment of humanitarian needs for the residents of Haiti, an economic structure free from corruption, and a sustainable bureaucracy with a fairly elected government.
Renee has engaged with the Haitian government, from Ariel Henry to current President Leslie Voltaire, as well as key stakeholders in the private sector and civil society, to gain understanding and express the desires of the Diaspora. She has also presented on engaging the Diaspora in Haiti’s elections at the Organization of American States (OAS). Additionally, she serves as an assistant to Retired General Russel Honoré, and her project management and leadership skills have been instrumental to HDPAC’s success. By day, Renee is a dedicated nurse and healthcare executive, and as a passionate advocate for the Haitian Diaspora, she remains an unapologetic friend of Haiti.
David L. Alexis immigrated to the United States from Haiti in 1979 at the age of 20 to begin a new chapter in his life. He began working in the construction field, while going to college at night to become a Planning and Zoning Engineer. Within a short period of time, his commitment to hard work led to him to his first Real Estate License in the State of Florida in 1981. In the 1990’s and for over 20 years, David became a top investigator working and partnering with lawyers and the court to deal with juvenile delinquents in Palm Beach County, Florida. He has received various awards from judges for his participation in helping to solve crimes in the community. Since 1992, David founded D’Alexis Realty Corporation with the mission of providing high quality services and empowerment through homeownership in the Haitian community in the early years. The mission later grew to include providing sustainable advice and opportunities for underrepresented minorities throughout the State of Florida.
Gamael Nassar, pronounced “Ga-Mile” or “Mr G” was born and raised in Miami, Florida. In 2017, he and his wife moved to Oregon to care for her aging parents.
Mr. Nassar has an MBA in Project Management & Organizational Leadership and is a result-oriented leader, manager, educator, with extensive experience in training, education, community organizing, and strategic planning.
Since 2018, Mr. Nassar and his wife own and operate Insurance Offices in Lebanon and Albany but serve the entire State of Oregon. He is the holder of insurance licenses in 10 other states. Mr. Nassar spent many years working with various cultures and multiple organizations. This experience has given him a unique understanding of diverse cultures and communities and has provided him with a perceptive ability to listen and learn.
He is a Lebanon City Council Member who listens to the community and who wants to provide what’s best for his constituents, and for the overall wellbeing of the Lebanon economy and its residents. Locally, he serves as a Lebanon Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, a Board Member for the Lebanon Downtown Association, Board President of the Enliven Foundation, a Board Member of the Strawberry Festival Association,
In addition to local Lebanon organizations, he also serves as a Board Member of the United Way of Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties, a member of the NAACP, a Facilitator for the Albany Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member of Christmas Storybook Land, and a member of the National Haitian Americans Elected Officials Network (NHAEON). Every year Mr. Nassar participates in the Albany Veterans Day Parade in honor of all the veterans.
Former Senator Daphne Campbell is an accomplished Entrepreneur and former State Senator with more than a combined 25 plus years of experience providing strategic and operational servitude (both in and outside of the Senate). She is originally from Haiti and has been a Registered Nurse for more than 30 years. The Honorable Daphne Campbell understands how best to leverage her extensive experience in politics – and has been instrumental in using her expertise in the areas of crisis management, human capital issues, cultural diversity and leadership development, as well as using her exceptional abilities to analyze and identify procedural problems, provide practical solutions that result in greater effectiveness and productivity.
Former Senator Campbell’s journey began in 2010 when she ran a successful campaign in the Democratic primary to replace incumbent State Representative Ronald Brise, who left an open seat in the 108th District. She defeated her then opponent Alix Desulme by fewer than 400 votes, winning 52% of the vote and advancing to the general election, which she won unopposed. After six years spent in Tallahassee as State Representative (108th District), she became State Senator after the runoff opposing her to Philippe Brutus, another Haitian- American who ran as an NPA (No Party Affiliation) candidate. She then became the first Haitian-American on November 2016 to serve as a Florida State Senator. Winning her elected post in the 38th District State Senate race by a landslide (75.2%) crushing her opponent, the former State representative Philippe Brutus (24.8%).
Throughout her career, former Senator Campbell accomplished many things both for her constituency in House District 108, Senate District 38 and for the entire State of Florida. She was instrumental in championing several bills including: “Medical Malpractice,” “Affordable Housing,” and “Haitian American Nurses Awareness Week,” “Haitian Independence and Flag Day/Haitian, Haitian American, and Caribbean American Heritage Month,” and road designations within the “Transportation Facility j
Known for her moderate but independent stand on issues, Campbell worked tirelessly on policies and received numerous awards including, (a) 2017 Women of Inspiration Award from the Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce, (b) Best Woman of the Year from the Military and Law Enforcement Veterans Association (MILEVA), (c) Honorary Professor degree in Divinity,(d) Honorary Doctorate degree in Divinity, (e) Women That Transcend, (f) Most Accomplished Black Community Leaders, and (g) Entrepreneurs-South Florida’s 100 Most Accomplished Caribbean American.
Like many female leaders before and during her time, the former Senator is a fierce advocate, wise counselor, committed person with the right habits and discipline, filled with tenacity, and inspiration, while working for the people as a “Voice for the Voiceless.” Former Senator Campbell acts as a liaison in her community to fill the gap and provide services that are needed by her fellow American constituents. She is known as the Senator who supports “All people” regardless of political ties, or boundary lines. Whether by ensuring the reunification of families, handling landlord tenant issues—preventing foreclosures, ensuring the education of children, distributing basic needs such as, working in conjunction with Farm Share Food Distribution, or simply showing love to those in need of it; she has spent her political time working with many local families, who inspired and motivated her to run for office. Moreover, she enjoys spending time with her children, reading, and volunteering in her communities.
Critical local issues are always at her forefront. The former Senator however chose not to limit herself to “one issue,” and instead focuses on making her mark addressing many issues including on the rights of youth empowerment, preventing crime, and employability for all. She established a reputation as a tough legislator who generally adheres to conservative principles, but who as a “maverick” has demonstrated the willingness to break from her party on certain issues. Her political views are shaped in part by her upbringing. As a child, her mother instilled family values of “We are our brother keepers,” a Biblical principle that the former Senator embraces as she served her community through her bold and spiritual leadership.
Her distinguished record of public service includes, working with and serving her community men, women, and children. She has participated with the Young Democrat Political Leaders and the Democratic Executive Committee Party, the Nomi Kids & Democracy Political Election Week for the students in Miami’s elementary, middle, and high schools, the grand opening of Overtown Youth Center’s Clinic as a volunteer registered nurse, and as an active member of the Citizens Coalition for Miami Dade Public School, PTA and PTSA.
She is a unique person, in the United States Senate, known for her down-to-earth, determined style. Accordingly, as a mother, critical care registered nurse, community leader, community advocate, and the first elected Haitian to Florida’s upper chamber, she fully understands how complex issues affect every day American families. Former Senator Campbell possesses the extraordinary leadership qualities required to rebuild, restore, empower, inspire, and work with local officials, community groups and individuals to develop an overall vision with specific tasks and measurable goals in Senate District 35, to be an even more successful community. She will be a tireless advocate for all people.
