LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Brianna Armstead Sworn In as NHAEON Secretary, Becomes Youngest Executive Officer

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ — In a moment that reflects both hometown leadership and national reach, Linden Board of Education Commissioner Brianna Armstead has been sworn in as Secretary of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON National) for the 2026–2028 term, expanding her public service footprint beyond New Jersey.

The national appointment comes just weeks after Armstead was sworn in to her second term on the Linden Board of Education by then New Jersey Lt. Governor-elect Dale Caldwell during the board’s annual reorganization meeting, marking a period of momentum and continued trust from both her local community and national peers.

Armstead’s induction to NHAEON leadership took place January 31, 2026, in Washington, D.C., during a ceremonial leadership transition held as part of the organization’s 17th Annual Leadership Summit. The gathering brought together Haitian American elected and appointed officials from across the country to align priorities, strengthen collaboration, and formally install the leadership team for the next two-year term.

The oath of office was administered by Lionel Jean-Baptiste, a Circuit Court Judge in Cook County, Illinois, punctuating a milestone moment in Armstead’s expanding public service journey.

“I am grateful to serve and happy to be serving alongside such a dynamic group of leaders committed to uplifting Haitian American communities across the country,” Armstead said following the ceremony.

In addition to assuming the role of Secretary, Armstead made history as the youngest member serving on NHAEON’s executive committee. Her election follows prior service as a Member-at-Large, reflecting both continuity and the trust placed in her by colleagues nationwide.

As Secretary, Armstead will help support the organization’s governance and national communications while advancing NHAEON’s mission to advocate for domestic policies, legislation, and issues affecting Haitians living in the United States. NHAEON is the largest network of Haitian-American elected and appointed officials nationwide, representing millions of constituents and serving as a collective voice in national policy discussions.

Armstead expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in her by the organization’s leadership, thanking Chair Vanessa Joseph and Vice Chair Christine Ellis for their leadership and partnership. She also acknowledged the service of outgoing Secretary Charnette Frederic, noting the strong foundation built through her tenure.

Together, the back-to-back milestones—locally in Linden and nationally in Washington—underscore Armstead’s growing influence as a civic leader rooted in education, advocacy, and community-centered leadership at a moment when representation and collaboration matter more than ever.