On Saturday, March 28, His Excellency Patrick Gaspard, the current U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, spoke to a full house at the Embassy of Haiti for the launch of the Embassy Speaker Series. Ambassador Gaspard is one of the highest-ranking Haitian-American politicians and was the White House Political Director during President Obama’s first term. Ambassador Gaspard shared with the audience his rich experience in politics and diplomacy, as well as his personal story as the child of immigrant parents of Haitian descent.
Joel Danies, a career foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State, served as the moderator of the conversation with Ambassador Gaspard. Mr. Danies facilitated a meaningful exchange with members of the Haitian community, diplomats, business leaders and young professionals. Questions explored topics ranging from the role of the diaspora in Haiti’s development process to Ambassador Gaspard’s role as the U.S. representative in South Africa.
The Embassy Speaker Series will feature a range of speakers from the Honorable John Lewis, who played an integral part in the American Civil Rights movement, to a panel of former Haitian Prime Ministers brought together for the first time. As stated by Ambassador Altidor, “our speaker series asks a selection of esteemed professionals to explore what Haiti means to them and how it has influenced their life’s work.”
We hope you will join us at one of the future conversations. The Embassy Speaker Series is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.
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