{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-co-chairs-haiti-caucus-host-briefing-haiti-business-accelerator", "Schakowsky, Co-Chairs of Haiti Caucus Host Briefing on the Haiti Business Accelerator", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Janice D. Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", "schakowsky", "https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and the Co-Chairs of the Haiti Caucus, Reps. Sheila Cherilus-McCormick (FL-20), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), briefed over 100 advocates, business leaders, and Congressional staffers on plans to create jobs, grow the economy, and promote stability in Haiti.\n\nThe briefing, held on Monday, featured the founders and board of the Haiti Business Accelerator (HBA). The HBA is a collaborative new initiative led by Haitians and launched by the Greater Northern Chamber of Commerce in Haiti. The HBA's goal is to support the growth and development of new, existing and startup businesses in Haiti that have the potential to advance regional job creation, economic growth, and stability in regions outside of Port-au-Prince.\n\n\u201cBetween the political turmoil, a food supply shortage, devastating earthquakes, and persistent security concerns, Haitians are facing an unprecedented crisis. The United States and our business community must thoughtfully and meaningfully help our close Caribbean neighbor,\u201d said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. \u201cI\u2019m proud to support the HBA to further empower the Haitian people and democratically chosen Haitian leaders. I vow to continue my efforts with Haitian American leaders, including some from Illinois\u2019 9th Congressional District, to help grow the Haitian economy.\n\n\"Haiti stands at a critical juncture. Now is the time for us to help nurture Haiti\u2019s potential and create long-term opportunities for its people,\" said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus. \"The Haitian Business Alliance serves as a reminder that real, lasting change must empower the people of Haiti. This initiative is spearheaded by Haitians, with most of the funding contributed by the Haitian diaspora, showcasing their dedication to improving Haiti\u2019s well-being.\"\n\n\"The Haitian people have confronted far too much for us to turn a blind eye to the generational devastation facing their nation today. In this moment of crisis, the United States cannot fail to uphold its deeply held obligation to support our cherished Caribbean neighbor through its ongoing hardships. Fulfilling that immense responsibility starts with using every tool at our disposal to foster a stable and sustainable economic environment in Haiti. I am proud to stand alongside the dedicated advocates of the Haitian Business Alliance in support of Haitian-led solutions that will deliver meaningful progress to Haiti and, at long last, position our ally on the path toward prosperity,\" said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus.\n\n\u201cThe Haitian people have long endured political and economic instability. Now more than ever, the United States must provide support to help foster sustainable growth and create opportunities for Haitians,\u201d said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus. \u201cThe Haiti Business Accelerator is a solution led by Haitians for Haitians to promote economic growth and create jobs, and I am proud to support this crucial initiative. This isn\u2019t just about economic development\u2014it\u2019s about human dignity.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe business community must be part of charting a new path for our nation. I feel that the HBA is an important step in that direction, and the support of the Haiti Caucus is a tremendous help as we get underway,\u201d said Steve Mathieu, President of the Greater Northern Chamber of Commerce in Haiti and Co-founder of the Haiti Business Accelerator.\n\nThe HBA is intentionally designed to follow the successful model put forward by many U.S.-based business accelerators, and the programs of the HBA will be implemented through a partnership with one of the leading business accelerators in the U.S., which currently operates in more than a dozen other countries. Programming will then be fully transferred to the HBA Foundation once it is operational, and the programs are up and running.\n\nAs the political situation continues to look uncertain, it is more important than ever that the millions of Haitians who simply want to live happy, stable, successful lives have sources of hope and promises of something more. By growing stable enterprises, promoting local entrepreneurship and markets, and creating jobs, the HBA has a critical role to play in this struggle.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-co-chairs-haiti-caucus-host-briefing-haiti-business-accelerator"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5400229021906853, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}