Gepsie M. Metellus Executive Director, Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center Miami, Florida

Gepsie M. Metellus is cofounder and executive director of Sant La, Haitian Neighborhood Center, a social service organization that serves the Haitian community of South Florida. Sant La seeks to provide information and referral services in the areas of social services, education, housing opportunities, economic self-sufficiency, and access to healthcare and legal services.

Ms. Metellus is a Haitian-American, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She earned an undergraduate degree from Queens College, City University of New York and a graduate degree from Florida International University. Ms. Metellus has experience in education and public administration from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Miami-Dade County Government. She is a founding member of Haitian Women of Miami, the Association of Haitian Educators of Dade County, and the Haitian American Grassroots Coalition. Ms. Metellus has authored several books on the Haitian community in South Florida. She is a strong advocate for Haitian-American women and Haitian political refugees.