“Our cultural wealth remains the same. [That hasn’t] changed. Our culture is still our pride, our strength, our own identity,” said Thomas.
Thomas also cited achievements of the telecommunications company Digicel and the exotic cruise line corporation, the Royal Caribbean, to demonstrate how foreign investments can experience significant returns in Haiti. He offered statistics to show that Haiti has a prepared workforce, and has established a reliable government and political landscape “free of corruption” and “bureaucratic red tape.”
During the private affair, supporters not only heard about new possibilities in Haiti, but they also experienced a taste of the Haitian culture through authentic Haitian cuisine and artwork from Haitian artists Jonas Allen and Raphael Sagage.
Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell spoke and gave support on behalf of the city of Atlanta. “The fact that we have such a vibrant Haitian community in Atlanta is something that I have not taken for granted. What you bring to the city of Atlanta, what you bring to the metropolitan Atlanta area, is immeasurable in terms of the energy and resilience, that entrepreneurism, [what] we need to make Atlanta the best place in the world,” said Mitchell.
“We also are very pleased, and very excited and grateful that the country of Haiti has decided to open a consul office here in Atlanta. We do not take for granted the opportunities that it presents for us to create a greater business connection, a greater social connection, a greater political connection between the city of Atlanta and the country of Haiti.
“Let’s not waste this opportunity to work together and network, to look for opportunities to not only help with Haiti, but to provide an opportunity for us to strengthen the city of Atlanta,” he said.
The General Consulate of Haiti in Atlanta opened its office 11 months ago and announced Thomas as the first Consul General of Haiti for Atlanta on Dec. 16.
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