The role and vision of the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce (GAHCCI)
March 2024 | By Analise Marcel & LORNA VALCIN

Dr. Ronald L. Cetoute is a Haitian American residing in Atlanta, Georgia with his wonderful wife and amazing child. He holds the following degrees: Doctor of Education, Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Science. His passion for business and education creates a relentless drive to develop those skills in countries suffering economic growth, such as Haiti. Dr. Cetoute critical thinking and creative solutions produce positive results. Lakol Magazine interviews his role and responsibilities as president of Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, incorporated (GAHCCI) located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lakol: What is the role of president for GAHCCI?
Dr. Cetoute: I usually refer to myself as the humble servant of the people and community. My role is to drive and execute the vision and mission the board has agreed upon and ensure the members are being served. Pushing forward the need, vision, and mission that the chamber has for the community and its members is the focus. My duties are in direct alignment with GAHCCI mission of empowering the community one business at a time.
Lakol: What qualifications do you possess to fill this role?
Dr. Cetoute: (laughter) To be honest I never felt I had the qualifications to fill the role. When I was first approached about being a potential president, I was hesitant. I did not say “yes” immediately; it took a while because I didn’t feel qualified to lead the chamber. What stood out in my life most were my leadership roles since grade school. My leader skills began in the Boy Scouts. Middle school included joining the band, learning the instruments, and becoming a section leader. College was similar trajectory. However, my experience and maturity level as a band section leader in high school led to being selected for that position in college, my first professional institution. I also spearheaded a crime watch organization on the campus as well as being an active member of the Haitian Cultural Club on the campus. I noticed those innate leadership characteristics throughout my life, especially in school and work. I never sought out those positions. However, the roles came to me naturally. Apparently, I was a risk taker and problem solver as a personality trait. I do not take as many risks these days. The chamber president position was presented to me based on my ethics and drive for success. Someone noticed my leadership qualities when I spearheaded the B.E.L. Initiative as a member of GAHCCI. I suppose that God given characteristic to take initiative, inspire people and seek solutions were perhaps my main qualifications.
Lakol: Did you face any challenges as president of GAHCCI?
Dr. Cetoute: Yes, absolutely. There has not been any role I have not faced challenges. My biggest challenge is overcoming my own thought process by getting out of my own way. Being president of the chamber is a weighty commitment and comes with many responsibilities. I suppose that I had some insecurities including the challenge of leading a chamber in all aspects. Leading other leaders can be a bit intimidating. I had to mentally accept that role. The leader holds the burden of responsibility for many people; it can be a lonely position at times. I had to become confident enough to lead the chamber since this role was a new territory for me. The learning curve of operating from the top proves challenging as well. I must make sure the chamber is progressing, on track and interactive with its development to grow and serve the community despite being a novice industry/domain to me.
Lakol: What is the role of president for GAHCCI?
Dr. Cetoute: I usually refer to myself as the humble servant of the people and community. My role is to drive and execute the vision and mission the board has agreed upon and ensure the members are being served. Pushing forward the need, vision, and mission that the chamber has for the community and its members is the focus. My duties are in direct alignment with GAHCCI mission of empowering the community one business at a time.
Lakol: What qualifications do you possess to fill this role?
Dr. Cetoute: (laughter) To be honest I never felt I had the qualifications to fill the role. When I was first approached about being a potential president, I was hesitant. I did not say “yes” immediately; it took a while because I didn’t feel qualified to lead the chamber. What stood out in my life most were my leadership roles since grade school. My leader skills began in the Boy Scouts. Middle school included joining the band, learning the instruments, and becoming a section leader. College was similar trajectory. However, my experience and maturity level as a band section leader in high school led to being selected for that position in college, my first professional institution. I also spearheaded a crime watch organization on the campus as well as being an active member of the Haitian Cultural Club on the campus. I noticed those innate leadership characteristics throughout my life, especially in school and work. I never sought out those positions. However, the roles came to me naturally. Apparently, I was a risk taker and problem solver as a personality trait. I do not take as many risks these days. The chamber president position was presented to me based on my ethics and drive for success. Someone noticed my leadership qualities when I spearheaded the B.E.L. Initiative as a member of GAHCCI. I suppose that God given characteristic to take initiative, inspire people and seek solutions were perhaps my main qualifications.
Lakol: Did you face any challenges as president of GAHCCI?
Dr. Cetoute: Yes, absolutely. There has not been any role I have not faced challenges. My biggest challenge is overcoming my own thought process by getting out of my own way. Being president of the chamber is a weighty commitment and comes with many responsibilities. I suppose that I had some insecurities including the challenge of leading a chamber in all aspects. Leading other leaders can be a bit intimidating. I had to mentally accept that role. The leader holds the burden of responsibility for many people; it can be a lonely position at times. I had to become confident enough to lead the chamber since this role was a new territory for me. The learning curve of operating from the top proves challenging as well. I must make sure the chamber is progressing, on track and interactive with its development to grow and serve the community despite being a novice industry/domain to me.
Lakol: What is your vision for the chamber?
Dr. Cetoute: My vision for the chamber is to make it a world class organization, being the bridge between two economies while simultaneously creating an environment for entrepreneurs in the community and beyond. I want it to be a binational organization that empowers people on an international scale. I would like the chamber to impact Haiti and the United States economy. Make a healthy environment for the diaspora to thrive safely and confidently.
Lakol: How do you plan to move these goals forward?
Dr. Cetoute: There are a few things we are putting in place to achieve our goal and vision which is to see Haiti as a developed country in our lifetime. The first task is to take care of our GAHCCI members by empowering them to be their best. We do that by providing education, connections, and resources to expand and grow. That empowerment allows them to be a powerful voice, tool, and resource for Haiti by being positioned in an environment which allows them to succeed. The second is making sure the chamber remains in sync with its binational status. It is about being a lot more intentional with our activities in Haiti. We will take care of our members and continue to provide the tools for them to succeed. Promoting trade and commerce is also important. We are launching a trade mission soon. Haitian entrepreneurs coming from Haiti can learn about business trade enabling them to compete as buyers and sellers of goods and services on a larger scale which will promote more international trade. The focus of this new program will be commerce. Haiti conducting business with the diaspora and U.S. needs to increase and is extremely important to be inclusive with the market. The GAHCCI offers a program I have already sprouted called the B.E.L. Initiative for new entrepreneurs coming from Haiti to learn the key to a successful business via education. Therefore, making sure that our members and chamber are financially stable to contribute on a larger scale. We will be able to hire more full-time employees and people can access our services day and night. This will require fundraisers and other activities to raise money for the program, but it’s achievable.
Lakol: What is a typical day for you at GAHCCI?
Dr. Cetoute: First thing, I meet with our administrative manager about the weekly calendar. He works wonders and my right-hand man when it comes to executing and completing various tasks. We go over what needs to be done, what is complete and pending issues. Checking in with our event chairperson about the monthly events is very important as well. I review the chamber finances with our treasurer. I touch base with many other committees under the chamber umbrella. My day varies from working with one committee to many. I’m very aware and active with the groups and help where it’s required for progress. I like to make the online public process as user friendly as possible. All committees have full autonomy while remaining in alignment with the GAHCCI vision and mission.
Lakol: Why is it important to have strong community bonds and resources for the GACCHI?
Dr. Cetoute: We want everyone to picture the chamber as part of a large ecosystem. Technically, the chamber itself is an ecosystem. For our members to receive resources, they must also contribute. Therefore, a give and take system exists bearing fruit from each, hence an ecosystem. Think of the system as a relationship. Those contributions vary in form as gifts, skills, time, money, charity, philanthropy, etc. Eventually, everything comes full circle.
Dr. Cetoute: My vision for the chamber is to make it a world class organization, being the bridge between two economies while simultaneously creating an environment for entrepreneurs in the community and beyond. I want it to be a binational organization that empowers people on an international scale. I would like the chamber to impact Haiti and the United States economy. Make a healthy environment for the diaspora to thrive safely and confidently.
Lakol: How do you plan to move these goals forward?
Dr. Cetoute: There are a few things we are putting in place to achieve our goal and vision which is to see Haiti as a developed country in our lifetime. The first task is to take care of our GAHCCI members by empowering them to be their best. We do that by providing education, connections, and resources to expand and grow. That empowerment allows them to be a powerful voice, tool, and resource for Haiti by being positioned in an environment which allows them to succeed. The second is making sure the chamber remains in sync with its binational status. It is about being a lot more intentional with our activities in Haiti. We will take care of our members and continue to provide the tools for them to succeed. Promoting trade and commerce is also important. We are launching a trade mission soon. Haitian entrepreneurs coming from Haiti can learn about business trade enabling them to compete as buyers and sellers of goods and services on a larger scale which will promote more international trade. The focus of this new program will be commerce. Haiti conducting business with the diaspora and U.S. needs to increase and is extremely important to be inclusive with the market. The GAHCCI offers a program I have already sprouted called the B.E.L. Initiative for new entrepreneurs coming from Haiti to learn the key to a successful business via education. Therefore, making sure that our members and chamber are financially stable to contribute on a larger scale. We will be able to hire more full-time employees and people can access our services day and night. This will require fundraisers and other activities to raise money for the program, but it’s achievable.
Lakol: What is a typical day for you at GAHCCI?
Dr. Cetoute: First thing, I meet with our administrative manager about the weekly calendar. He works wonders and my right-hand man when it comes to executing and completing various tasks. We go over what needs to be done, what is complete and pending issues. Checking in with our event chairperson about the monthly events is very important as well. I review the chamber finances with our treasurer. I touch base with many other committees under the chamber umbrella. My day varies from working with one committee to many. I’m very aware and active with the groups and help where it’s required for progress. I like to make the online public process as user friendly as possible. All committees have full autonomy while remaining in alignment with the GAHCCI vision and mission.
Lakol: Why is it important to have strong community bonds and resources for the GACCHI?
Dr. Cetoute: We want everyone to picture the chamber as part of a large ecosystem. Technically, the chamber itself is an ecosystem. For our members to receive resources, they must also contribute. Therefore, a give and take system exists bearing fruit from each, hence an ecosystem. Think of the system as a relationship. Those contributions vary in form as gifts, skills, time, money, charity, philanthropy, etc. Eventually, everything comes full circle.

Lakol: How does the GHCCI partnership with the Haitian Times influence the ecosystem?
Dr. Cetoute: This partnership is huge. The Haitian Times is one of the legitimate voices of the Haitian people reaching a large audience. Georgia is one of the top 10 states with Haitian residents. Unfortunately, many of the Haitians in Georgia are unaware of Haitian communities, events, businesses, restaurants, and other resources. The Haitian Times is a valuable resource, outlet for communicating awareness, share relatable stories and supports unification. Haitians can feel inclusive knowing there are places in Georgia which embrace their culture and commonalities. This partnership will communicate all the opportunities GAHCCI makes available to everyone including the Haitian communities. We can get GAHCCI brand out there! The Haitian Times can be easily accessible when someone is looking for help, resources or interested in being part of GAHCCI ecosystem. We are grateful to partner with such a major media outlet.
Lakol: How does someone become a member of the GAHCCI? Must you be of Haitian descent?
Dr. Cetoute: We made the process very easy through our website, GAHCCI.org and click join then, select one of three options which will populate. Three simple steps. We are a binational chamber. Therefore, being of Haitian descent is not a requirement. GAHCCI welcomes any and every nationality to join its membership.
Lakol: How does the GAHCCI contribute to uplifting the people of Haiti?
Dr. Cetoute: The B.E.L. Initiative empowers young entrepreneurs from Haiti. The students are willing and want a change for their homeland. The students are accommodated for weeks in the United States via comfortable housing, provided a formal education and connections to valuable resources to help expand their network in Haiti. Empowering the entrepreneurs and non-profits will contribute to the vision of Haiti being a developed nation in our lifetime.
Thank you, Dr. Cetoute, for being such a positive influence. Your contributions and zeal towards empowering the Haitian community and beyond speaks volumes of your leadership. Lakol Magazine looks forward to interviewing you in the future.
Dr. Cetoute: This partnership is huge. The Haitian Times is one of the legitimate voices of the Haitian people reaching a large audience. Georgia is one of the top 10 states with Haitian residents. Unfortunately, many of the Haitians in Georgia are unaware of Haitian communities, events, businesses, restaurants, and other resources. The Haitian Times is a valuable resource, outlet for communicating awareness, share relatable stories and supports unification. Haitians can feel inclusive knowing there are places in Georgia which embrace their culture and commonalities. This partnership will communicate all the opportunities GAHCCI makes available to everyone including the Haitian communities. We can get GAHCCI brand out there! The Haitian Times can be easily accessible when someone is looking for help, resources or interested in being part of GAHCCI ecosystem. We are grateful to partner with such a major media outlet.
Lakol: How does someone become a member of the GAHCCI? Must you be of Haitian descent?
Dr. Cetoute: We made the process very easy through our website, GAHCCI.org and click join then, select one of three options which will populate. Three simple steps. We are a binational chamber. Therefore, being of Haitian descent is not a requirement. GAHCCI welcomes any and every nationality to join its membership.
Lakol: How does the GAHCCI contribute to uplifting the people of Haiti?
Dr. Cetoute: The B.E.L. Initiative empowers young entrepreneurs from Haiti. The students are willing and want a change for their homeland. The students are accommodated for weeks in the United States via comfortable housing, provided a formal education and connections to valuable resources to help expand their network in Haiti. Empowering the entrepreneurs and non-profits will contribute to the vision of Haiti being a developed nation in our lifetime.
Thank you, Dr. Cetoute, for being such a positive influence. Your contributions and zeal towards empowering the Haitian community and beyond speaks volumes of your leadership. Lakol Magazine looks forward to interviewing you in the future.
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