Advocacy and Social Work in Rhode Island
Building Meaningful Community:
Part of our advocacy is our national appreciation and celebration of Independence Day on May 18th each year. As the Haitian community grows in Rhode Island our organization sees an opportunity to educate the Providence community and celebrate Haitian contributions to U.S history and culture. NB4HS meets at the statehouse brings together members of the larger community to celebrate Haitian history and local community members in the Governor’s room at the Rhode Island State House.
Collaborating to create opportunities:
Our partnership with Practico Innovation, a cutting edge technology accelerator, has generated a number of innovative business ideas in the past two years. This year, three of our Haitian business participants were selected and received funding from Practico Innovatio, awarding local Haitian students and entrepeneurs with $30,000 scholarships to attend Providence’s CareerDevs Computer Science University tuition-free. They are all employed, earning an average of $80,000 a year.
Bridging the Past to the Future in the Present:
We believe it is important and significant to recognize the courageous efforts of revolutionaries like Toussaint L’Overture and Jean Jacque Dessalines, who turned the country of Haiti into the first, and only, free nation in history to be liberated of slavery. At this event, NB4HS was joined by community leaders, partners, Haitian based from Boston, Haitians based from Connecticut, including our local elected officials such as Governor Gina Raimondo, Lieutenant Governor Daniel J McKee, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, and others.
Annual Haitian Flag Day Celebration