Participants at Haiti benefit event

A celebration of Haitian paintings, culture and rum set the tone for the “Partners Against Poverty” benefit organized by the Public-Private Alliance Foundation on Thursday evening November 4 at Affirmation Arts in mid-town Manhattan.  The Foundation promotes collaboration by a mix of partners in a business approach to improving lives and livelihoods, with a focus on rebuilding in Haiti since the January 2010 earthquake. 

Affirmation Arts currently has on exhibit until November 24 an extraordinary collection curated by Gérald Alexis, an historian of Haitian art, which includes some pieces rescued from the rubble.  The Foundation thanks everyone who came to the benefit, and all who were unable to attend but donated.

Executive Director Dr. David Stillman welcomed the guests and focused attention on the Foundation’s work, especially in Haiti.  Tony Plana, the actor/director, hosted the event, urging guests to become involved in supporting the foundation.  Jocelyn McCalla, senior advisor to the Special Envoy of Haiti to the United Nations, described the status of Haiti reconstruction and the various players in this lengthy, difficult process.  Ian Williams, noted pundit and rum historian, spoke of the role of rum in Haiti’s history and economy and also led a tasting of Haiti’s famous Barbancourt rum.  Dr. Lesly Kernisant, president of SImACT, Inc., a Haitian diaspora investment group, talked about the partnership of SImACT with the Public-Private Alliance Foundation for several projects in Haiti.    

The event highlighted the Foundation’s recent focus on promoting improved cookstoves and fuel in Haiti. With several partners, the Foundation is working to create a sustainable industry of locally-grown and distilled sugar ethanol to fuel cookstoves manufactured, marketed and distributed in the country. The project aims to improve lives and health, especially for women and children, reduce the heavy reliance on wood and charcoal that has stripped the country of forest and topsoil, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs.

Affirmation Arts, Crillon Importers and Eben Bronfman of Jared Samos Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Private Wealth Management were supporters of the event.  For photos go to:  www.flickr.com/ppaf/show