Executive Directors

INTRODUCING HAFTB'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fadia Richardson, Financial Secretary Our FC is a founding member of HAFTB. She has been the association's Financial Secretary for the past 4 years. In the past, she held many other positions on the board. She has a certificate in French, and has been an educator in the Hillsborough County school system for the past 32 years. She expresses her passion for the Haitians in the Tampa community by providing free tutoring, translation, and guidance services. She also volunteered in Haiti as a medical intake agent, helped doctors facilitate health care services, and restored homes in New Orleans. DR. Linda Tavernier-Almada, Director of Education Our Director of Education received her BA, MA, and her Ph.D. from the University of California Berkeley. Her Ph.D. is interdisciplinary and includes the studies of folk culture, political theory, and the African-Diaspora. Concurrently Dr. Tavernier teaches at the University of South Florida. Her most recent book, Essentially Africa, was published 2016. She has presented her research on black culture at over 25 conferences. Her community engagement work was highlighted in various newspaper articles. She is the recipient of several grants, scholarships, and contribution awards. During her previous tenure as President of HAFTB, the organization received the City Commissioner’s award for best 501c3 in the Tampa area. Josette Toulme, Treasurer jt2142@verizon.net Our treasurer has dedicated her life to helping those in need. She has a long history as a member of the board and has served as the association's Treasurer for the past 4 years. Her work with Haitian and Haitian-American children began over 20 years ago, when she was contacted by the father of a child who was in desperate need of help for his son who was failing classes due to a serious language barrier. Today, through HAFTB, she still continues to focus on helping Haitian families while simultaneously directing HAFTB finances. She has been HAFTB's main liaison with various hospitals in the Tampa area, and with the Moffitt Cancer Center. Mireille Rameau Elie, Project Director/Correspondence Secretary. Mireille joined us in 2015. She hopes to be able to help bridge social barrier within the Haitian community by promoting participation in activities/programs from our native land that will attract all Haitians. After a long career with the International Community in the Washington Metro area and extensive travel throughout Africa and Europe, she now calls Tampa home and enjoys exploring the different facets of Tampa Bay. Mireille was part of a group of mothers that created a troop of Boy Scouts for boys with special needs. Mireille enjoys meeting people, has a great sense of humor. She has kept very close ties with her native Haiti. Mireille holds a Bachelor in Business Management, from Averett University, and plans on pursuing a Master degree. Abney Henderson, Culture Arts Coordinator Our bright and devoted CSCL is presently finishing her MA in African Studies, at the University of South Florida. Abney hopes to become a Psychologist. Her ultimate goal is to work with the African Diaspora community, particularly Haitians and Haitian- Americans. Abney takes a deep interest in Haiti’s struggles, its citizens, and its culture. Abney’s hard devotion and work ethics has been a gift to HAFTB. Edward Jean-Pierre, Chaplain Our Chaplain graduated from Pratt Institute in 1974 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He is currently working as a tutor to Creole or French speaking students in the Hillsborough County School District. Edward served as president of HAFTB for 2 1/2 terms, and throughout the years he also served as Vice President, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian.