A Night of Legacy and Leadership: Inside the 14th Annual Eritaj Business Awards Gala

Dr. Darline Wilkenson
Jul 30, 2025
8 min read

Updated: Aug 8, 2025

A Night of Legacy and Leadership: Inside the 14th Annual Eritaj Business Awards Gala

At the heart of Atlanta's Buckhead district, beneath the gleam of crystal chandeliers at The Whitley Hotel, the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce once again demonstrated why it remains a cornerstone of cultural excellence and entrepreneurial empowerment. The 14th Annual Eritaj Business Awards Gala was more than an evening of glamor, it was a carefully curated tribute to legacy, leadership, and community resilience. It was a breathing testament to what happens when a community refuses to let its dreams die.

From the moment guests arrived, there was a sense of purpose in the air, an ambiance that merged elegance with authenticity. Musical Jay and his band created a cultural symphony that swept through the hallways, blending the heartbeat of Haiti with modern flair, notes that carried the weight of revolution and the lightness of hope. The music didn't just play; it conversed with guests, whispering of sugar plantations transformed into freedom songs, of boat journeys that became bridge-building expeditions.

Vibrant Haitian artistry adorned the ballroom: handcrafted pieces, symbolic décor, and rich textiles, all paying homage to Haiti's enduring spirit and creativity. But beyond the décor and the music, it was the people, the visionaries, the trailblazers, the students, that anchored the event in meaning, each one representing a living story of resilience and excellence.

When Heritage Meets the Present

Before the first award was announced, before the first speech was delivered, the room was already telling its story. When Gabrielle Antoine's voice rose in ancestral song, the ballroom fell into profound reverence. Her voice didn't just carry melody; it carried memory, connecting every person in that room to the revolutionary spirit that once shook the world on a small Caribbean island.

The Kaju Haitian Dance Company took the stage next, their movements painting stories in the air. Bodies became brushstrokes, feet became drumbeats, and suddenly the ballroom was no longer in Atlanta, it was everywhere Haitian feet had ever danced, from Port-au-Prince to Brooklyn, from Montreal to Miami.

Then Dr. Erlange Elisme stepped forward to recreate Bois Caïman, and the air itself seemed to change. Her reenactment of that legendary ceremony, where enslaved Africans planned the revolution that would birth the first Black republic, wasn't performance, it was invocation. In that moment, everyone understood: this gala wasn't just celebrating current success; it was honoring the shoulders upon which today's achievements stand.

A Call to Renaissance

Under the soft glow of chandeliers and the hum of ancestral pride, Eddy Benoit Jr., President & CEO of The Benoit Group, LLC, took the stage, not just as a CEO, but as a son of Haiti carrying the weight of generations in his voice. His message was not a speech; it was a call to awaken. With a cadence that rose and fell like the waves off Cap-Haïtien, he summoned the room to remember who we are.

"Pride, resilience, and hope," he declared—three words that pulsed through the veins of every listener like a heartbeat echoing from 1804, words that would echo throughout the Georgia Haitian Chamber of Commerce Eritaj Gala long after the last toast was raised.

Benoit painted a portrait of a people scattered across continents but united by an unbreakable dream: a Renaissance for Haiti. Not a return, but a rebirth. He spoke of legends like Naomi Osaka and Yvonne Silva (Haiti's first female physician, born in 1907), alongside nameless warriors and artists, reminding us that excellence is etched into our DNA. But he did not linger in nostalgia. He pushed forward.

"We can't repair without being repaired," he said, pausing just long enough for the truth to settle deep. He challenged the room to do more than clap, to act. To teach their children Creole not as a second language, but as a sacred inheritance. To stop scrolling for solutions and start building them. To choose collaboration over competition, unity over division, and above all, action over silence.

And as he closed, his words carried the weight of revolution and the tenderness of a prayer: "May the same light of freedom that shone on the dawn of January 1st, 1804, which allowed us to be the first free Black nation in the world, shine forth a new republic, a renewed republic."

A renaissance was no longer a dream. It was a summons.

The Next Generation Rises

One of the most poignant moments of the night came during my interview with Gabrielle Renée Roach, a poised and ambitious scholarship recipient whose story embodied the very spirit of the Eritaj Gala: resilience, family, and purpose. When asked what this recognition meant to her, Gabrielle responded: "It means everything. It tells me that people are paying attention, not just to grades but to character and resilience. The Chamber sees us, and that motivates me to give back."

A recent high school graduate and certified lab assistant, Gabrielle earned her recognition through academic excellence and extracurricular dedication in marching band, choir, and the Innovation & Technology Academy. "I think they nominated me because of the resilience I've shown throughout my high school career," she said. Yet beyond her accolades, Gabrielle spoke most passionately about her inspiration: her mother.

"Her integrity and her resilience... the way she carries herself, I really aspire to be like her," she shared with quiet reverence. Now pursuing a degree in business management and creative arts with a concentration in music, Gabrielle dreams of helping lead her mother's nonprofit, Legacy Foundation: Edutech, to expand educational opportunities, especially for talented Haitian youth who lack resources.

"There are so many brilliant students in Haiti," she said. "It's not ability they lack, it's access. I want to be part of changing that." Gabrielle's voice carried the promise of a new generation rising, with heart, heritage, and hope.

Celebrating Excellence Across Industries

This year's honorees represented a breathtaking spectrum of industries and initiatives, each embodying the transformative power of innovation, impact, and unwavering community service.

Dr. Shaneque Metellus, crowned as a Dynamic Businesswoman, delivered words that reverberated through the ballroom: "I didn't win a title. I inherited a responsibility... We built the damn table." Her declaration captured the evening's essence, leaders who don't just seek seats at existing tables, but construct entirely new ones.

Mike Bellot of Kaw Academy emerged as a dual champion, receiving both the Social Impact Award and the Bridge Award for his revolutionary work connecting technology with education, proving that innovation thrives at the intersection of passion and purpose.

Attorney Lana Joseph of L. Marcius Joseph & Associates commanded recognition as a powerhouse force, earning both Social Impact and Innovator Awards, a testament to her ability to drive change while pioneering new paths forward.

The entrepreneurial spirit blazed brightest among the Best New Business winners: Grand Slam Pizza, 1804 Pizza Bar & Lounge, and Samaritan's Heart Foundation. These Haitian-owned ventures aren't just businesses, they're cultural ambassadors reshaping Atlanta's economic and culinary landscape, one authentic experience at a time.

The excellence extended to visionaries like Rony Delgarde, Dr. Alyssa Jean, Frank Junior Saint- Preux, Watson Escarment, and Rolande Valcourt of Precious Hands, leaders who understand that running a business means nothing without transforming lives.

Innovation Anchored in Authenticity

Among these remarkable honorees stood Renald Surpris, whose Innovator Award for Tru Safety Gear represents more than business achievement, it embodies a philosophy of authentic progress. "Innovation isn't about reinvention; it's about staying rooted in who you are while creating something that matters," he shared, his words carrying the weight of lived experience.

Surpris's journey from modest IT consultancy to revolutionary safety gear pioneer illustrates innovation anchored in authenticity. The father-turned-entrepreneur built his empire while nurturing three extraordinary children: one running her own business, another developing tech solutions across Asia, and the youngest pursuing a PhD at Harvard in music and film.

"Legacy is the kind of example you leave behind," he reflects with quiet pride. "Something your children can look at and say, 'That's in my blood.'"

His vision transcends products to embrace purpose. Plans to relocate production to Haiti's Caracol represent economic empowerment in action, creating local jobs and transforming opportunity into reality. "Why not us?" he challenges. "We already have what it takes."

To aspiring Haitian entrepreneurs, Surpris offers hard-earned wisdom: "Do your homework. Know your market. Lock down your resources. Be ready to do the work." When asked about his Haitian hero, his response comes without hesitation: "Toussaint Louverture, he took us from slavery to liberation."

Like his revolutionary predecessor, Surpris understands that true innovation isn't just about building products; it's about constructing movements rooted in freedom, resilience, and the untiring commitment to lift others while climbing toward greatness.

Unity Beyond Borders

The evening's powerful message of togetherness was elevated by the presence of both the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Orlando and the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Tampa. Their attendance was more than symbolic; it was a radiant reminder that when Haitian leaders come together across city and state lines, we create a chorus of unity that echoes far beyond the ballroom. Their presence added an undeniable sense of solidarity, collaboration, and shared purpose, an embodiment of what's possible when we build bridges, not silos.

Honoring the Foundation Builders

The Chamber's tribute to founding members Attorney Sandra Jean and Elizé Joseph was a deeply moving recognition of the vision and dedication that built the institution. As the community rose in heartfelt applause, it was clear this wasn't mere formality, it was a profound acknowledgment of transformational leadership.

Sandra reminded the audience that "each one of us has what it takes to really excel and bring others with us... it's not easy, but it's doable." Her message of collective empowerment resonated throughout the room, embodying the spirit that has driven the Chamber's success.

Elizé Joseph, humbly describing himself as a "silent seed," reflected on fourteen years of nurturing the organization's growth. "We never wanted to create something and keep going with our own vision," he explained. "We put the vision down so others could come in with theirs." This philosophy of planting seeds for future generations to cultivate captures the essence of their leadership approach.

As their names joined the Chamber's official history, their legacy became something far greater, a living testament to the power of building institutions not for personal glory, but for the communities they serve. In that moment, an entire room seemed to say in unison: "We remember. We are because you were."

A Night That Transforms

The 14th Eritaj Gala wasn't just an awards night, it was a living testament to the heartbeat of the Haitian-American diaspora, celebrating excellence grounded in sacrifice, faith, and vision.

Every award presented carried the weight of countless sacrifices made by those who dared to dream beyond their circumstances. This was excellence forged through determination and guided by unshakable vision. Each honoree stood as living proof that when heritage meets ambition, extraordinary things happen.

To the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce: this was a night to remember, a crystallization of everything you have built and inspired. You created a moment that reminded us why institutions built on love and commitment become the foundation for generations of excellence.

And to every student, entrepreneur, and trailblazer in attendance: this was a night that reminded us why we keep building. This was the evening that proved your dreams matter and your potential is limitless.

The 14th Eritaj Gala wasn't just a celebration of where we've been, it was a preview of where we're destined to go. When a community commits to lifting each other up, the results don't just inspire; they transform what's possible. This was our night. This was our reminder that the best is yet to come.

See you next year for the 15th Annual Gala.