Haitian New Yorkers Coalition Pushes for Advocacy of Independent App-Based Workers

The coalition aims to elevate the voices and needs of New York's independent app-based workers.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:39am

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The Haitian American Business Network, Haitian American Caucus, and Haitian Americans United For Progress have joined the New York Coalition for Independent Work to advocate for New York's independent app-based workers, many of whom are from immigrant and vulnerable communities that relied on app-based services during the pandemic.

Why it matters

The coalition seeks to protect the independence and flexibility of app-based workers while also finding solutions to improve their access to benefits and other workforce protections. This is particularly important for immigrant and minority communities who have come to rely on app-based work during crises.

The details

The Haitian American organizations joined the coalition to elevate the voices and needs of New York's independent app-based workers, many of whom are from immigrant and vulnerable communities that relied on app-based services during the pandemic. The coalition includes community, faith-based, business and tech organizations committed to finding ways to support these workers.

  • The coalition was announced on Wednesday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Jackson Rockingster

President and CEO of the Haitian American Business Network.

Samuel K. Darguin

Executive Director of Haitian American Caucus-Haiti.

Elsie Saint Louis

Chief Executive Director of Haitian Americans United for Progress.

New York Coalition for Independent Work

A coalition of community, faith-based, business and tech organizations committed to protecting the independence and flexibility of app-based workers while also finding solutions to improve their access to benefits and other workforce protections.

Long Island African-American Chamber of Commerce

An organization that has joined the coalition to demonstrate support for app-based workers and the businesses that rely on them.

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What they’re saying

“The Haitian American community, like many other communities of color, began to rely on app-based services when there were no resources available to get through the hardships of the pandemic. Now, more than ever, we have come to understand the value of independent work for vulnerable groups that are usually left in the dark when we face these kind of unprecedented crises.”

— Jackson Rockingster, President and CEO of the Haitian American Business Network

“Immigrant families, undocumented families, as well as first-generation immigrants, have faced enormous challenges throughout this public health emergency. App-based work has provided them flexibility and a steady income to support themselves. We must all stand together to protect these kinds of opportunities for the immigrant community who are important members of our local economy.”

— Samuel K. Darguin, Executive Director of Haitian American Caucus-Haiti

“The mission of our organization is to make sure Haitian Americans get the tools they need to succeed. We believe that app-based work is one of those tools, and we must work to guarantee these kinds of avenues of financial growth can remain open to our community.”

— Elsie Saint Louis, Chief Executive Director of Haitian Americans United for Progress

What’s next

The coalition will continue to advocate for the needs and protections of independent app-based workers in New York.

The takeaway

This coalition demonstrates the importance of supporting independent app-based work, especially for vulnerable and immigrant communities who have come to rely on these flexible opportunities during crises. The coalition aims to find ways to preserve the independence and flexibility of these workers while also improving access to benefits and protections.