At the age of 26, Brianna Armstead, daughter of Linden First Lady Danie Orelien and Mayor Derek Armstead, has made history by being elected as a Member at Large on the Executive Committee of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON).
This significant appointment solidifies her position as the youngest member to represent Haitian American elected officials nationwide.
The groundbreaking announcement was made during NHAEON’s 15th Annual Leadership Summit, held from January 26-28, 2024, in Washington, DC.
The summit, themed “Reignited The Fire,” served as a platform to bring together over 200 community and non-profit leaders, alongside more than 50 current and former elected officials of Haitian descent from across the nation.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Brianna Armstead stated, “I’m happy to share that I have been elected by Haitian American elected officials across the country to serve as Member at Large for The National Haitian American Elected Officials Network.”
NHAEON, a 501c3 non-partisan organization, is dedicated to education, empowerment, and engagement in the political process, with a focus on amplifying the voice of the Haitian-American community.
As a non-partisan coalition of elected and appointed officials, NHAEON acts as a vital resource and advocate for Haitian American elected officials throughout the United States.
In her role on the committee, Armstead will play a pivotal role in fostering collaborative networking among Haitian American elected officials.
NHAEON’s network addresses social justice issues impacting disproportionately affected communities while building strong partnerships with community-based organizations and faith-based groups to enhance the livelihood of the Haitian American population.
Brianna Armstead’s election to NHAEON’s Executive Committee marks a significant milestone in her commitment to community service and advocacy.
Her passion for social justice and dedication to the Haitian-American community align seamlessly with NHAEON’s mission, promising a dynamic contribution to the organization’s goals.
Brianna Armstead, a distinguished figure in both the corporate and public service sectors, has emerged as a dynamic force in the realms of community engagement, economic development, and education. Born and raised in Linden, New Jersey, Armstead has been committed to making meaningful contributions to her community from an early age.
Currently serving as a Board of Education Commissioner in Linden, Brianna Armstead has been a trailblazer throughout her career. Her most recent achievement involves her appointment as a Senior Officer in Events & Marketing at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), a role she has undertaken since July 2022.
In her capacity at NJEDA, Armstead has been instrumental in spearheading event sponsorship activities. She actively seeks opportunities to increase the NJEDA’s presence by researching collaborations with industry organizations. Demonstrating her prowess in marketing, she has implemented innovative strategies to enhance public awareness about EDA programs and initiatives. Her responsibilities extend to preparing and securing contracts for trade shows, overseeing marketing agency contracts, and managing a comprehensive database associated with community engagement projects.
Not only is Armstead a key figure in economic development, but she is also a co-founder of MetaCasso, a Web3 company established in December 2021. MetaCasso focuses on collaborating with artists and brands to create unique NFTs, showcasing Armstead’s interest and involvement in cutting-edge technologies.
Armstead’s journey in the media industry has also been marked by noteworthy accomplishments. As a Co-Producer for the Rants and Gems Podcast from October 2021 to May 2022, she played a pivotal role in booking guests, editing, and curating content for social media pages. Her skills were further honed during her time at Jesse Collins Entertainment, where she served as a Facebook Live Audio Rooms Producer for four months.
Prior to these roles, Armstead contributed to the acclaimed Tamron Hall Show as an Associate Producer from December 2019 to June 2020. During her tenure, she excelled in producing full shows virtually, writing scripts, booking and pre-interviewing guests, and managing various aspects in the control room.
Her journey began with internships at The Wendy Williams Show and Union County Social Services Legal Department, where she displayed a strong commitment to learning and contributing to the dynamic fields of media and law.
Brianna Armstead’s multi-faceted career, marked by her dedication to economic development, community engagement, and media production, showcases her versatility and commitment to making a positive impact on the world around her. As a Board of Education Commissioner, she continues to bring her expertise and passion to the service of the Linden community.