(AVENTURA, FLORIDA) – Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D – Valley Stream) was honored as the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) Member of the Year at its 16th annual leadership summit, held from Jan. 24 – 26 in Aventura, Fla.
Legislator Solages made international news last fall when he led a coalition of Haitian Americans and allies in protesting then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s Sept. 18 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum rally and denouncing his racist, false attacks upon Haitians.
NHAEON is a 501(c)(3) and a nonpartisan coalition that engages in the education, empowerment, and political process to amplify the voice of the Haitian American community. NHAEON has 170 elected and appointed officials - including 77 current officials, 70 former officials, and 23 judicial members – who represent millions of constituents across 22 states and the District of Columbia and advocate for domestic policies, legislation and issues impacting Haitian Americans. With his 2011 electoral victory, Legislator Solages became the first Haitian American to serve in the Nassau County Legislature.
“Across the nation, NHAEON members are relentless advocates for greater civic engagement, equality, equity and social justice in the communities that we have the honor of serving,” Legislator Solages said. “It was truly humbling to be named NHAEON’s Member of the Year – especially when it was rooted in efforts to uphold and honor the dignity of Haitian people in America. Thank you to Chairwoman and North Miami Vice Mayor Mary Estime-Irvin for leading and organizing the Summit and all of my colleagues in government for supporting each other – now more than ever, the Haitian diaspora must advocate for our future with one voice.”
PHOTO CREDITS – Office of Legislator Carrié Solages