Miami, FL (Le Floridien) –– The National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) has introduced its executive board for the 2024-2026 term, as stated in a press release received by Le Floridien. Announced during the organization’s 16th Annual Leadership Summit, this leadership transition reinforces NHAEON’s dedication to amplifying the voices of Haitian American elected officials and advocating for policies that benefit Haitian communities across the United States.
The newly elected board, led by Chair Mary Estimé-Irvin, former Vice Mayor of North Miami, brings together seasoned leaders from various levels of government. With a collective century of experience in public service, these officials are poised to address pressing challenges while fostering greater civic engagement, according to the press document.
“The election of this exceptional board marks another step forward for NHAEON,” said Estimé-Irvin. “With more than a century of combined experience, our board remains steadfast in addressing the unique challenges facing our communities, amplifying our collective voice, and inspiring civic engagement across the nation.”
Joining Estimé-Irvin is a slate of other sitting elected officials dedicated to advancing NHAEON’s mission:
Chairwoman-Elect: Vanessa Joseph, Elected City Clerk, City of North Miami, FL
Vice Chair: Marie Woodson, State Representative, 105th District, FL
Treasurer: Christine Ellis, Vice Mayor, City of Chandler, AZ
Secretary: Charnette Frederic, Ph.D., 2nd Vice President, Township of Irvington, NJ
Parliamentarian: Rita Joseph, Council Member, District 40, Brooklyn, NY
Members-At-Large:
Bergson Leneus, Councilman, East Orange, NJ
Wadner Oge, Esq., Select Board Councilor, Town Meeting Member, Brookline, MA
Sabrina Charles-Pierre, School Board Member, Spring Valley, NY
Daniela Jean, Commissioner, City of North Miami Beach, FL
Brianna Armstead, School Board Member, City of Linden, NJ
Vedna Lacombe-Heywood, School Board Member, Plymouth, MA
A Vision for the Future
With this news leadership team in place, NHAEON aims to strengthen its advocacy efforts, promote policies that uplift Haitian American communities, and build alliances to enhance civic participation. The network remains committed to empowering Haitian American elected officials through collaboration and strategic initiatives that address pressing socio-political issues.
Since its founding in 2009, NHAEON has been the nation’s largest coalition of Haitian American elected and appointed officials, working to ensure that Haitian Americans have a powerful voice in shaping public policy. As the organization enters this new chapter, its leaders are determined to drive meaningful change while fostering unity and representation at all levels of government.
For Haitian Americans and their allies, the next two years will be pivotal in advancing political engagement, ensuring fair representation, and advocating for policies that reflect the needs of Haitian communities across the United States. We hope that, with its newly elected board, NHAEON will be poised to lead the charge.
