2024 Eritaj Business Awards Gala Hosts, Anne-Chrisite Guilliaume and Eunos Laverdure
Celebrating Excellence at the 2024 Eritaj Business Awards Gala
The Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 2024 Eritaj Business Awards Gala on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, an evening dedicated to honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions of Haitian American entrepreneurs and business leaders. The event brought together dignitaries, community leaders, sponsors, and esteemed guests for a night of celebration, inspiration, and recognition.
Now in its 9th year, the Eritaj Business Awards Gala is a cornerstone event for the Chamber, celebrating the rich heritage, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Haitian American community. This year’s gala was a resounding success, marked by elegant decor, engaging presentations, and heartfelt moments of recognition.
During the event, the Chamber introduced the GAHCCI Foundation, which will now manage key programs such as the Eritaj Scholarship (formerly Pwochen Lide) and the BEL Initiative program. Dr. Marjorie Denis, the Foundation’s President, and her team awarded scholarships to 10 outstanding students attending college this fall, supporting their educational endeavors.
2024 Eritaj Business Awardees:
- EJEF Logistics – Best New Business
- Build & Bridge – Bridge Award
- Haitian American Lawyers Association of Georgia (HALAGA) – Community Social Impact Award
- Jojo Fritay – Customer Service Award
- Kids in Motion – Fastest Growing Business Award
- Paon Bleu – Haitian Innovation Award
Dr. Joshua Paul of Build & Bridge accepting award
2024 Scholarship Recipients:
- Jawanza Blue, Sandy Creek High School – Howard University, Architecture & Design
- Marleigh Cherichel, South Cobb High School – Florida A&M University (FAMU), Business & Accounting
- Yves-Ann Comeau, Westlake High School – Notre Dame, Neuroscience & Biochemistry
- Cara Escarment, Lanier High School – Princeton University, Civil Engineering
- Kyra Francois, The Walker School – University of Georgia, Biological Engineering
- Coralie-Anne Hilaire, Campbell High School – Savannah College of Art & Design, 3-D Animation & Motion Media Design
- Nathan Jean-Leon, Arabia Mountain High School – University of Georgia, Biomedical Engineering
- Carmen Joseph, Eagles Landing High School – Kennesaw State University, Mechanical Engineering
- Alexandre Manley, Peachtree Ridge High School – North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (North Carolina A&T), Food & Nutrition Science
- Elijah Metellus, Marietta High School – Georgia State University, Business Administration & Real Estate
2024 Eritaj Scholarship recipients with Dr. Marjorie Denis and Yvette Cherestal (on stage)
Key Highlights:
- Keynote Speech: The evening featured an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Jean-Philippe Austin, President of the Haitian American Foundation for Democracy, who emphasized the importance of community, collaboration, and organizing to empower our voice in the political sphere.
- Special Performances: Guests were treated to captivating performances throughout the night. The KaJu Haitian Folkloric Dance Company opened the evening with a moving dance celebrating Haiti’s rich cultural heritage. Vocalist Gabrielle Antoine and Trumpeter Julian Smith dazzled the audience with their powerful renditions of the Haitian and U.S. national anthems. The crowd was also deeply moved by a poem recited by Francois Nau. Other notable performances came from saxophonist Musical Jay and soloist, Maggie Jean
- Networking and Celebration: The gala provided an invaluable opportunity for attendees to connect, network, and celebrate the achievements of the honorees and the broader Haitian American community.
The success of the 2024 Eritaj Business Awards Gala would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, whose contributions were instrumental in bringing this event to life.
Sponsors:
- Platinum Sponsor: American Family Insurance
- Gold Sponsors: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and TD Bank
- Silver Sponsors: Paon Bleu, Southern Company Gas, and the Law Office of Villard Bastien, LLC
- Bronze Sponsors: Kids in Motion, Davis Bozeman Law, QM3 Utility Services, Inc., Acopia Home Loans, and Calcon Mutual Mortgage
Table Sponsors included:
- Build and Bridge
- Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce – Orlando
- EJEF Logistics, LLC
- Valcin Legacy
- Phedamenon, LLC
- Final Touch Entertainment, LLC
- Dr. Marjorie Denis
The 2024 Eritaj Business Awards Gala was more than just an event; it was a celebration of heritage, excellence, and the indomitable spirit of the Haitian American community. As we look forward to future events, we remain committed to empowering our community, fostering entrepreneurial growth, and honoring those who continue to make a difference.
Join Our Mission: We invite you to join us in equipping our members with the skills, resources, and connections needed to establish a strong foundation for starting, running, and effectively growing their businesses. Our vision is to see entrepreneurs in Haiti and the Diaspora thriving financially in a healthy ecosystem, with Haiti becoming a developed nation in our lifetime.
Photos: https://hsbatl.pic-time.com/-eritaj2024/gallery
Contact Information: For more information about the Eritaj Business Awards Gala or to learn more about the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, please contact us at contact@gahcci.org or visit our website at www.gahcci.org.
Photos by: Headshot Solutions & Beyond
Other Photo Credit: Valcin Legacy (Lorna Valcin Photography)
Videography: Dream Imagination Studies