SGA teams up with hip hop artists to aid in Haiti relief

In an effort to help with the the rescue and rebuilding process in Haiti, the Student Government Association (SGA) has partnered with Student Life and hip-hop artist NIKKAGE to plan the Haiti Relief Concert that will be held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Eastview Campus.
The cost to attend is a minimum $5 donation. Coordinators have partnered with the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to ensure that 100 percent of concert proceeds as well as 10 percent of food vendor sales go towards helping Haiti through the Red Cross.
"[The earthquake] touched several of us. None of us have any personal ties, but it touched several senators and they brought it to our meeting," SGA Director of Communications Sophia Downing said. "We definitely felt moved to respond to that call and do something as a whole."
SGA became involved when ACC student, Levar Emanuel, who is the hip-hop artist NIKKAGE, presented the idea to the Eastview Campus Student Life. Emanuel has become the primary coordinator and contracted as a third party fundraiser for the Red Cross.
"This is the first fundraiser of this type and size at ACC that I know of," SGA Vice President Mike Reid said. "We wanted to find a way to help the citizens of Haiti and do humanitarian aid. We decided this was the best use of our resources and time."
SGA has organized different charitable giving opportunities in the past, but they have usually been toy or food drives.
At this time, nine acts: LoonaC, Drankola, Lungzilla, Anti-Scene, 5th Element, Glitter Billies, Texas Youth, White Chocolate, poetry slam group Word Collective, and NIKKAGE, have agreed to perform at the concert, but more are still needed. Coordinators are eager to have performers from all musical genres so that everyone will enjoy the concert. Musicians and food vendors interested in participating can send an email to sga@austincc.edu.