The second annual AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event will serve to highlight and showcase some of the most diverse and impactful young professionals across the Philadelphia region.

At the event, taking place on August 27, 2021, Nahomie Laurore will be one of the 40 honorees. She is the program director of the Community Center at Visitation.

Laurore is a native of Haiti, who grew up Haitian Creole and French in her home country. She would also pick up English, Portuguese and some Spanish as she made her way in life and eventually settled in Philadelphia.

Here, she is now the program director of the Community Center at Visitation, where she works to improve education and job opportunities for vulnerable populations in the city, especially immigrants.

Before that, Laurore was a self-employed certified medical interpreter and also completed an apprenticeship with Philadelphia’s Office of Adult Education as an immigrant fellow.

Here are Nahomie Laurore's responses: 

The biggest challenge that I have faced in my professional career is sudden changes of roles. In my most recent company, former coworkers have left their job unexpectedly. They were team leaders of important programs during unprecedented times (COVID-19 Pandemic). When they left, my manager asked me to take over the programs. While I had never performed their job duties in the past, I had previous leadership experience and problem-solving skills that I used to push the programs forward, encourage the rest of the team and complete my new responsibilities. As a result, I successfully re-implemented a variety of in-person programs at my company in a safe way and on deadline.

In my current industry (non-profit) we impact the lives of people from diverse religious, political, language and cultural backgrounds. Two steps that can be taken to improve diversity, equity and inclusion are the following:

First of all, challenge our biases as people. When you challenge your biases you become conscious of the dynamics of oppression that might exist within your organization. Once challenged you have to be committed to making changes.

Secondly, re-evaluate the use of words and images. Meaning of words and images come from a long historical line that carries many times traumatic experiences. Small changes in the way we use language and images are essential to fostering more-inclusive organizations. For example when you refer to enslaved people as “slaves” as if it was a metaphysical condition you leave out the involuntary, inhumane and arbitrary aspect of the word. Most importantly you deny the humanity of enslaved people.

Leaders recognize issues that affect their community. They take initiative to build trustful environments and use effective communication tools to bring people together to discuss challenges and provide guidance that leads to inclusive solutions. They help other people develop their skills while they work on their own.

Leaders understand their boundaries and seek help when necessary.

In five years, I hope to explore and improve my skills in program management. I want to have gained experience in leading projects in the educational setting specifically in under-served and immigrant communities. I will be looking for opportunities to learn, grow as a leader and expand my responsibilities towards my goals as well as opportunities that promote improvement of quality of life for communities regardless of ethnicity or religious background.

As an engaged resident of the City of Philadelphia, I want to continue to provide guidance through CFP and other channels to the immigrant community by sharing resources that can help them integrate the US society and overcome immigration challenges while I improve my understanding of US culture.