Jean D. Vernet, II is a long-time community activist and organizer who played a very visible and crucial role in mobilizing the Haitian American community in participating in the historic march of April 20, 1990 against the unscientific designation of Haitians as particularly susceptible to the HIV virus.  Subsequently, Jean worked on issues of voter participation, civic education and was successful enough to be solicited to run for the city council of New York in 2001.  His unsuccessful campaign was a high-water mark in the political participation of Haitian Americans in New York City. Jean holds a B. A. in Comparative Literature with a focus on African identity in the Diaspora and Africa; he also holds a Master’s of Science in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. Jean has an abiding interest in economic empowerment as key to community resiliency.  He has worked in that field in New York City and Haiti, providing training in business skills, money management and assets acquisition to marginalized communities.  He has also worked as a consultant to the Central Bank of Haiti, the Office of the President of Haiti and the Deputy Speaker Assembly of the State of New York. Jean’s commitment to community empowerment has recently been focused exclusively on financial education which is a natural outgrow of his education.  He currently works as Senior Financial Counselor on Long Island, New York.