We have all been glued to the television and internet for news and information about Haiti's most devastating earthquake in 200 years. A 7.0 earthquake rocked the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Tuesday. Reports of bodies littering the streets are heart wrenching. Estimates of potentially 100,000 casualties marks this a s one of the most tragic events to hit our side of the world. World leaders, citizens and entertainers are rallying the effort to send aid. Wyclef Jean and his Yele Haiti Foundation is leading the way. Jean urged people on his Twitter account to help in the Haiti disaster relief effort by texting "Yele" to 501501. This donates $5 to the Yele Haiti Foundation, automatically charged to your cell phone bill. President Obama has directed people to the whitehouse.gov website for a list of relief organizations.
This tragedy has some personal significance for me. Two people of Haitian descent have specifically influenced my growth and career path. THE ZRO HOUR would not exist if it wasn't for my friend Danial suggesting I buy some time from him to broadcast on his pirate radio station. Radio Galaxy Plus in Brooklyn, New York only broadcasts Haitian language programming and we were the first english language and only hip hop show. Danial sparked the idea of presenting my vision in a radio show format. My first break in the music industry was given to me by Jerry Wonda, Wyclef Jean's production partner throughout his entire career. I began as an intern at Wyclef and Jerry Wonda's Platinum Sound Studio in 2002 and it lead to a staff position and engineering credits on projects ranging from Tom Jones to DJ Kay Slay to director Jonathan Demme. I owe a great deal to them and my heart goes out to their families and friends.
The HUFFINGTONPOST has compiled a growing list of organizations that you can donate to and provide aid HERE
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