ABOUT TOWN
Haitian Lawyers Association (HLA) Annual Scholarship & Fundraising Gala 2025
The Haitian Lawyers Association (HLA) is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote excellence, professionalism, equality and diversity in the legal profession and among our members and to facilitate the administration of justice while striving to protect and promote the general welfare of the Haitian-American community and other minority residents in the South Florida area. Each year, HLA awards scholarships to deserving students of Haitian descent who are beating the odds, excelling academically and pursuing careers in the legal field. This year, through our fundraising efforts and with the support of our members and allies, HLA was able to award almost $40,000 in scholarship funds to its scholarship recipients. These bright young minds will continue to be supported and encouraged by HLA along their journeys to becoming the next generation of legal scholars and leaders.
HLA Board Director, Edna Pierre, Esq. of Pierre Legal, PA Gala Theme: Met Gala - Glitz & Glam
HLA Board Director, Edna Pierre, Esq. of Pierre Legal, PA Gala Theme: Met Gala - Glitz & Glam
Sisters Showing Support: Melissa Comeau, LMHC and Founder of Heartfelt Counseling Center, HLA Board Director, Edna Pierre, Esq., and Cynthia Saint Paul, South Florida Realtor and Founder of The Nobility Consulting Firm
Incoming 2025-2026 HLA President, Geralda David of David Law Office
HLA Members: Ron Surin, Esq. of the Law Offices of Champagne & Surin, PA, 2024-2025 HLA President, Michael's Deborah Saint-Vil, Nadine Gedeon of Gedeon & Morales Law Group
Keynote Speaker, Former White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre during her Keynote Speech
2025 Scholarship Recipients: Britney Deas, UF College of Law, Kervens C. Dabresil, Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad College of Law, Bengy Baptiste, FAMU College of Law, Stacey Bazile, FIU College of Law, Jonathan Memnon, UM School of Law, Emanuella Petit, St. Thomas College of Law, 2024-2025 HLA President, Michael's Deborah Saint-Vil, Esq., Rhod Belizaire, St. Thomas College of Law, Nazario Saint Louis, FIU College of Law, Mireille Colin, FAU Graduate Student, Anaya Funeus, Miami Senior High School, Rubens Laurore, North Miami Senior High School, Sa'Niyah Alexix Jean, Barbara Goleman Senior High School, and Briana Napoleon, FAMU College of Law, with HLA Board Members in the background, Loune-Djenia Askew, Esq., Vice President, and Edna Pierre, Esq., Director
Fort Lauderdale Pre-Law Magnet High School Mini Reunion at the HLA Gala: HLA Board Director, Edna Pierre, Esq., T.J. Reddick Bar Association (“TJRBA”) 2024-2025 President, Camille Smith, Esq., Caribbean Bar Association Member, Jamel Marshall, and Melissa Comeau, LMHC and Founder of Heartfelt Counseling Center
HLA Members: Emmanuelle Elie and Edna Pierre, Esq.
HLA 2025-2026 Incoming Board: Samuel Rony, Treasurer; Frandley Julien, Director; Katianna Mazard, Director; Loune-Djenia Askew, Vice President, Edna Pierre, Director; Geralda David, Incoming President; Michael's Deborah Saint-Vil, Immediate Past President; Emmanuella Telfort, President-Elect; Christopher Dallegrand, Director; Eddy Laguerre, Director
HLA 2024-2025 Outgoing Board: Outgoing President, Michael's Deborah Saint-Vil; Frandley Julien, Director; Samuel Rony, Director; Cherly Lucien, Director; Edna Pierre, Director; Veronique Malebranche, Immediate Past President; Emmanuella Telfort, Treasurer; Narinah Jean Baptiste, Secretary
Proclamation Presentation to Keynote Speaker, Former White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, by Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 1, Oliver G. Gilbert, III, and staff, as well as HLA Board Members, Edna Pierre, Director, Michael's Deborah Saint-Vil, 2024-2025 President, and Narinah Jean Baptiste, Secretary
Jessie Trice Community Health System (JTCHS), in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Dental Society, hosted its annual Give Kids a Smile Day.
Dr. Deborah George, EVP and chief dental officer of JTCHS; Precious Baker, dental assistant; and Dr. Lauren L. Mantilla, a volunteer for the event, posed for a photo who some of the patients during the Give Kids a Smile Day.
Recently, Jessie Trice Community Health System (JTCHS), in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Dental Society, hosted its annual Give Kids a Smile Day.
A young patient proudly wears a lab coat received at the JTCHS Dental Van during Give Kids a Smile Day, hosted by JTCHS & partners.
Recently, Jessie Trice Community Health System (JTCHS), in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Dental Society, hosted its annual Give Kids a Smile Day. Pictured here is the JTCHS community outreach team posing with event attendees.
