SPOTLIGHT ON HAITI

Voices of the Diaspora

This month, two law students who are part of the Haitian Diaspora share with us their hopes for Haiti as we kick off our first edition of Spotlight on Haiti.

Marlynne Bidos

As a young attorney, it is my life goal to set an example
that will inspire other young Haitians to become involved in
the law. Through community activities, academic excellence,
and professional success I hope to create a path for those
who come after me to know there is no limit to the dreams
they aspire to attain. Today, Haiti has been drained,
through much of its political upheaval, of many talented
young men and women who are educated at fine institutions
all over the world that do not return to the island to help
change it for the better. It is my aim to begin an
organization that will bring brilliant minds from the legal
and other professions together to create a series of schools
whose aim is to teach a curriculum that provides students a
variety of professional options to which they may have not
been exposed. The organization will obtain sponsors for
each child for them to study at the college level in the
United States and then return to Haiti to donate their time
to the community that helped them. I look forward to this
initiative creating a cycle that enables young Haitians to
see the importance of returning home and helping younger
generations persevere.



Kim Sassine

As an aspiring attorney, one preliminary contributions I can
make is to, in fact, return to Haiti or to stay close to it.
Too easily we find ourselves escaping our duty and
responsibility be keeping our involvement distant and
dismissive.

In light of the inner turmoil and the insufficient
international response, it becomes crucial to return home
and participate in the rehabilitation and development of
Haiti, creating a more favorable understanding of this
country so as to facilitate a fellowship amongst Haitians
within the country and those abroad.



Meet The Committee


Jackee Missick: New York

Jackée Missick was born in The Bahamas, but came of age in Brooklyn, New York. She is however, a true island girl-laid back and always smiling. She attended college at New York College of Technology. She studied independently for a BS in Interpersonal Communications and Hospitality Management.

She now attends Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in Central Islip, New York. She is an active member of The Women’s Bar Association, Touro BLSA, and NBLSA International Relations Committee. She enjoys mentoring young children and is involved Touro BLSA High School mentoring program as well as her work with the youth at her church. She is committed to helping young people succeed.

She considers herself, “a church girl.” The most important thing in her life is her relationship with God.

Her goals for NBLSA’s International Relations Committee:
Establish an ongoing program that encourages American law students to perform community service in those international countries that need it most.
Establish “The Caribbean Summer Internship” program in the Caribbean nations for NBLSA members. This would allow students especially with a Caribbean connection to give back.Make the practice of International Law a viable choice for NBLSA members