Patrick Gaspard - Haiti Observer Blog

Haitian-American Patrick Gaspard has just been selected by U.S. President Barack Obama as Ambassador to South Africa. Originally from the Republic of Congo, his family immigrated to New York City when he was still a child. He has been involved in local and national politics almost three decades.

He began his career as a public servant working as a Deputy Assistant during New York Mayor David Dinkins term in office. That position led him to become head of the New York City Council. In 2003, he entered national politics and served as an advance man for Howard Dean's presidential campaign. Having acquired political chops, he got involved with union politics, holding the position of Executive Vice President and Political Director of Service Employees International Union.

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The Haitian-American Patrick Gaspard is the most likely pick as a US ambassador to South Africa. Patrick is currently the executive director to the Democratic National Committee.

Gaspard is known to be a famous player in the politics of New York City and has formerly worked as Obama's White House political director. In his political career he worked for David Dinkins' in his Mayor campaigns.

In other responsibilities Gaspard served in the Service Employees International Union. He in 1980's and 90's participated actively to topple the apartheid regime in South Africa. He also, while working in the White House, played a major role in efforts to give relief to Haiti after the major earthquake destruction in 2010.

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This is a sign that the Haitian community is moving and if I may say "Up" in the US. The latest is having one of our own elected as mayor in a major town. On behalf of the Haitian diaspora in the United States and all over the world, I would like to congratulate Noramie Festa Jasmin as the new Mayor of Spring Valley.

She has become the first Haitian American and the first woman to be elected as Mayor of Spring valley in 2009.

Before becoming Mayor of Spring Valley in New York, Noramie Jasmin occupied the position of trustee as well as deputy Mayor.

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