Last Saturday, in my capacity as honorary chair, I had the privilege of attending the 10th Jeune chambre de commerce haïtienne (JCCH) Awards for Excellence gala. This gala celebrates the outstanding achievements of young professionals and entrepreneurs of Haitian origin who work in all sectors of Quebec society. They have distinguished themselves for outstanding achievements in their professional careers, as well as through their civic engagement or social activism. I was all the more delighted because the president of the jury was none other than Samuel Pierre, a professor in Polytechnique Montréal’s Department of Computer and Software Engineering, and one of Campus Montréal’s best and brightest.

As honorary chair, I was invited to give a speech during the ceremony. I took the opportunity to highlight the cultural wealth and success of the Haitian community, which not only takes extraordinary pride in its heritage but is also an economic force in the province. Originally, the JCCH had adopted the slogan “Viser plus haut. Voir plus loin.” (Aim higher. See beyond). That has been changed to “Rassembler. Rayonner. Réussir.” (Strive. Shine. Succeed.) To me, this shows that the community has gained the confidence and the desire to take its rightful place within our society. I was honoured to have the opportunity to pay my respect and admiration to the more than 200 people in attendance, all role models who embody hard work and success.

The event also gave me a chance to meet other talented people, including Dominique Anglade who, with Bruny Surin, won the Toussaint-Louverture award, which recognizes the recipients’ commitment and achievements in addition to their key contributions in developing and raising the profile of the Haitian community.

Dominique Anglade is a staunch advocate for the Campus Montréal institutions. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering at the Polytechnique in 1996, and an MBA at HEC Montréal in 2003. As president and chief executive officer designate of Montréal International and a well-known social entrepreneur, she is recognized for her professional success and community involvement.

She has dedicated herself to numerous organizations and causes including United Way and Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal. Adding to her credentials, in 2009, Les Affaires business weekly ranked her as one of 15 Quebec female movers and shakers. In July 2010, in the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake, she and Arcade Fire vocalist Régine Chassagne created KANPE, an organization dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty in that country.

Being part of the 10th JCCH Awards for Excellence gala was a wonderful way for me to celebrate the strengths and accomplishments of our Haitian community; on top of that, I had the pleasure of meeting one of our graduates whose influence reaches well beyond the walls of our institutions.