a562: Press Release for the Toussaint Louverture Society (TLHS) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Hyppolite Pierre <hpierre@irsp.org>

The Toussaint Louverture Historical Society Presents:
A Sunday Brunch with Ambassador Pierre Richard Prosper
Recipient of the first annual “Toussaint Louverture Excellence Award” Silver Spring, MD (January 21, 2002)—

The Toussaint Louverture Historical Society (TLHS), a nonprofit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia and dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of information on the life and achievements of General Toussaint Louverture, the pioneer of the Haitian Revolution, will host a Sunday Brunch with Ambassador Pierre Richard Prosper, recipient of the first annual “Toussaint Louverture Excellence Award” , on Sunday March 3rd  from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Constitution Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1100 H Street NW, Washington, D.C.

“During the Haitian Revolution of 1791, Toussaint Louverture emerged as the leader  who turned the tide of slavery on the island of Saint-Domingue. Moreover, most historians also acknowledge the contribution of Toussaint Louverture to America’s expansion through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. This expansion set the United States on course to become a continent-wide nation in 1809 and a world power today.  It is our goal to keep the record straight and to bring the contributions of Toussaint Louverture to the fore. Black History month is a perfect opportunity to “celebrate the achievements of Toussaint Louverture and to highlight excellence past and present”, explains Gladys Racine, Executive Director of the Toussaint Louverture Historical Society.

The Toussaint Louverture Historical Society will combine the reflections of Haitian ancestry and heritage with the present achievements of outstanding individuals of Haitian descent during Black History Month. The Society will pay tribute to Ambassador Pierre Richard Prosper for his achievements. Ambassador Prosper is the first Haitian-American to hold the rank of United States Ambassador at-large. This first time  “Toussaint Louverture Excellence Award” is designed to pay tribute to excellence and leadership of individuals of Haitian descent for outstanding achievements.

The Toussaint Louverture Historical Society (TLHS) is composed of researchers, historians, authors and members of Washington-based Haitian organizations committed to the same objective of dissemination of information on the life and achievements of Toussaint Louverture and his impact on the world.  In 2001, the TLHS held a lecture series, Toussaint Louverture on the World Stage, at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.  Other TLHS events included a  celebration of Black History in February 2001 honoring Toussaint Louverture as “The Man of the Millenium” at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and commemoration of the struggle for Haitian Independence, “The Battle of  Vertieres”, which was held  at Trinity College in November of  2001.

Tickets  for the brunch with Ambassador Prosper can be obtained by contacting Magdalah Silva @ (301) 562-0999 ext 106 or Dr. Paultre Desrosiers @ (703) 759-5781.