 "Photo: Jorge Solares")
In less than two months, Austin Community College student Levar Emmanuel, the Student Government Association, and ACC Student Life pulled together a major fundraising event. The Haiti Benefit Concert was Emmanuel's idea and took place with the collaboration of Student Government Association and Student Life. All of the money raised went to the Red Cross to support their efforts in Haiti.
“I didn’t see or hear of our community – the hip-hop community in Austin – doing anything so I decided to run with it,” said Emmanuel, who is also known as hip-hop artist NIKKAGE.
Emmanuel first presented the idea to the Student Life staff at Eastview campus in January and he became the primary organizer of the event on Feb. 27.
“It’s been stressful and hectic, but it’s for a good cause. I’ve been getting a lot of help from people I’ve never met before. It’s very rewarding as well,” said Emmanuel.
In the past SGA has held different supply drives and had smaller types of community activities, but it hasn’t had experience with raising funds. For their first effort, the Red Cross volunteers took charge of all the funds raised. According to volunteer Christina Denmark, that was about $480.
“I’m surprised it came together so well in such a short amount of time,” SGA Pinnacle Campus Senator Dylan Pera said. “I think student government should be involved in raising money; students need to get more involved.”
Besides the stress of organizing something of this size that required the participation of so many, there were worries about whether it would be considered a success. Following the event, Emmanuel said that it could have been a lot better. However, he definitely considered it a success because everyone who was there enjoyed themselves immensely.
Student Jaime Herrera said that it was a great line up and overall good atmosphere.
“I had no idea it was going to be like this. This is awesome. It’s better than I expected,” said Red Cross volunteer Linda Amador.
The audience was largely made up of those who had a connection to the concert – SGA members, musicians and their supporters.
From the beginning a primary goal was that it should appeal to everyone. Emmanuel connected with friends and colleagues in the music industry who worked to bring in musicians from rock, hip-hop, R&B and more.
“I have a lot of Haitian friends so for me it was personal; it was more than just watching it on TV. Plus, I think a lot of times after you see a disaster like this, after the TV and press dies down, people tend to forget,” said Nelson “Nelz” Young, the producer of Atlanta based artist Qwezt. “People in Haiti still need food supplies. It doesn’t stop after the press coverage… I think we need to mindful of that.”
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