THE FUTURE
OF HAITIAN BUSINESS
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Haitian Networking Event in Everett
A few words from Haitian Locals
Ronel Remy
Community Organizer at City Life
Ronel Remy, a community organizer and activist at City Life , says “the local government should work to provide more opportunities for financial advancement so people aren’t putting up their houses to support their businesses.”
“It's not just you that goes under when the business goes under. The community goes under with you. Everything you (business owners) brought with you gets cut in half or goes away. What do you say to your family and other families in your situation? It creates a sense of fear. The system isn't set up for all of us, it works for some not for all.”
Remy says he remembers a time when the U.S. was look at as the place to go for opportunity, but has since proven different for some.
“Years ago immigrants came to the states looking for the American dream, to retire comfortably, and now it’s not that way anymore, it’s becoming less possible for immigrants to become stable.”
The community organizer says City Life helps at least one hundred Haitian immigrants secure housing per month.
“We educate people on the rights they have to stay in the community and live where they want to live...with City Life they can find out what works and what doesn’t work. We teach them how to help themselves and help others”
Stanley David
Outreach Coordinator and Membership Director of the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce
Stanley David, Outreach Coordinator and Membership Director of the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce, says Haitian immigrants that own small businesses in Massachusetts could have higher success rates with the help of local government officials. “They can give more access to capital, and do more outreach to let them (business owners) know more about what resources are available to them.”
David says the Haitian Chamber of Commerce serves as a bridge between business owners, local government, and outside businesses that want access to the Haitian business market.
“The chamber gives them (business owners) access to government officials...having that access face to face is just better. Our job is to reach out to Haitian business owners and let them know these are the resources that are available.”
What challenges are small business owners facing in the Haitian community?
“TPS is one challenge and access to capital is another. They need more funding and more access to capital so they can grow, and have access to more business infrastructure.”
To aid in sustaining a stable business environment for the community, the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce partners with Dorchester Bay, an economic development corporation. Dorchester Bay provides business development, ownership, and housing opportunities to residents in the Dorchester area. David says the corporation has been a great help in furthering the efforts of his team. “They help small businesses get funding when they are unable to get funds the traditional way, such as bank loans, due to financial instability.”
What current initiatives does the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce have in place to help?
“We have the Haitian American Business Expo coming up on June 2nd, that will allow business owners to promote their services, and gain new customers.” David says Dorchester Bay will also provide a workshop, “Cracking the Funding Code”, that focuses on educating business owners on how to get funding. New York Life Insurance Company will be hosting a second workshop, “Small Business Retirement Plans”.
The U.S. Haitian of Commerce is currently looking to grow in other cities outside of Boston to assist Haitian immigrant business owners nationwide.
