About the Mission

In 1984, Ms. Louissaint was the youngest person hired by Dade County Public Schools’ Project HOPE, and a founding member of its Drug Prevention Program staff for youth. Later, as a staff member of the Haitian American Community Association of Dade County, she helped Haitian immigrants transition from farm work to trades in an increasingly diverse economy.

Soon after, she founded the Haitian American Women’s Coalition and spearheaded the region’s first Haitian Conference in English focusing on issues of acculturation. In 1990, she launched the first organized effort to build a Haitian community center. In 1992, she founded and produced Miami’s first Haitian TV show in English, on WLRN.

In the early 1990’s, Ms. Louissaint set her sights on helping minority businesses bring more jobs, revenue, and resources to the community. She became the first Executive Director of the Black Business Association. During her seven-year tenure, she increased revenue from $30,000 to $300,000 and debuted initiatives like International Trade Assistance. The program took Black businesses on trade missions to Brazil, Mexico, Haiti and Ghana and helped them generate $1.7 million in new sales during its first year.

In 2000, Ms. Louissaint became President and CEO of the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC), one of 23 affiliates comprising the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Under her watch, the FSMSDC has linked minority firms to $11 billion in corporate procurement sales. Its annual Business Expo is the largest minority trade event in the Southeast.

Ms. Louissaint holds a B.S. in business administration from Barry University. She is fluent in Creole and conversational in Spanish. She has earned numerous awards including induction to Miami Dade College’s Hall of Fame, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Salute to Miami’s Leaders Award, and listing as one of “The 100 Most Influential Black People in Miami.”

She is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, International Women’s Forum, Economic Club of Miami and the Miami-Biscayne Bay Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Ms. Louissaint currently serves on Truist’s Community Advisory Board and is a board member of the Little Haiti Optimist Club.