18989: (Hermantin)Miami-Herald-Marc Bayard, a Wachovia banker, is president of the Youn (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Sun, Feb. 22, 2004

FIVE QUESTIONS


Support for the Haitian community


Marc Bayard, a Wachovia banker, is president of the Young Haitian American
Professional Association.

Q: How did you come to form the association?

The Haitian community historically has been geographically distant, with
some people in Haiti others in the United States. With the number of people
relocated here and elsewhere in this country, we thought it time to
organize, to identify ourselves as Haitian professions and create a support
system so we could pool each other's experiences to benefit all of us.

In 2000, 12 friends got together at my house. From there we incorporated,
looked for members, organized everts. We have invited key Haitian leaders,
such as Dr. Rudolph Moises. We had Judge Fred Seraphin come in, and also
state Rep. Philip Brutus. The idea is to make Haitian Americans aware that
we have community leaders and can aspire to have more.

Q: Tell us about the group.

A: The association's primary focus is to help young Haitian Americans
succeed in the United States. It's very difficult to come here without
knowing the language and the system in general, simple things like
understanding the importance of credit, the laws. When a Haitian comes here,
it's a steep climb. I'd like to make that easier. I would like to create
more job opportunities; provide mentors and role models; give them a support
system and the tools to not only survive but succeed here.

Q: Were you born in Haiti?

A: Actually I was born in Tallahassee while my parents were completing their
masters. Shortly after they graduated, we moved back to Haiti. I grew up
there and did all my schooling there, then left to go Duke University when I
was 17. That was in 1991. I graduated in 1995.

Q: Are you politically active?

A: I wasn't until I got involved with the association. To be able to help
Haitians, I realized that you had to be politically involved. The U.S.
government plays an extremely important role in the lives of people here and
abroad. If you want to make a difference in your community, you can't avoid
politics. Haitians are beginning to be recognized as an important voting
bloc by both parties. Meeting different leaders and being exposed to
organizations like the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, I've had contact
with elected officials and candidates of both parties. It's important to
talk to them them about your opinions, ideas and what is important to you
and the people you care about.

Q: What's your hope for Haiti's future?

A: I would like to see the political situation stabilized, to see a stable
environment where businesses can be productive and people can function
normally, where anyone can go to school or work without having to worry
about being persecuted for their political beliefs.

I am extremely upset with the stance of the Bush administration. How can the
administration go to war in Iraq 10,000 miles away over WMD that don't exist
while there is a country 300 miles away that is being devastated by a
president reinstated into power by the United States in 1994?
[Jean-Bertrand] Aristide has done nothing but hurt Haiti. Now he is just
buying time. He has no intention or interest in improving the country. His
only interest is to improve his own situation. And France is more interested
in making a difference in Haiti than the United States. I am not saying that
we should send troops, but for the Bush administration to not do anything is
completely unacceptable.

Herald Editorial Board member Susana Barciela prepared this report.

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