Help Haiti: Fast and Easy
http://www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake

As noted on the White House blog, Americans can:

> Donate $10 to the Red Cross that will be easily charged to your mobile phone bill by simply texting “HAITI” TO “90999.” Painlessly efficient; just sent my text. Like you, I’ve been glued to CNN and will do more as the US and 30 other countries get a handle on this seemingly insurmountable humanitarian rescue effort.

> In the area of corporate social responsibility, remember which companies have helped out once the news crews have departed and you’re making a decision how to spend your hard-earned dollars. Take note of those companies who make an impact locally or globally via effective long-term corporate social responsibility programs. Many make it easy for customers/clients to do good by waving fees for those who make contributions to the Haiti earthquake victims.


Social Media Steps Up

Facebook, Twitter, Skype and other social media sites are proving to be “miracle” communications mechanism for distributing basic information and helping people to connect regarding news about their loved ones. And, old school communications tools like radio are providing vital links in the homeland and in US Haitian communities and beyond.


Haiti: The Face of a “Raceless” Tragedy

When an earthquake or tsunami hits, isn’t it interesting how discussions about race are quickly replaced by compassion and human need.

Color doesn’t matter; it’s all about the caring. Countries come together. Everyone counts. Whatever your ethnicity or politics, everyone “gets” the fact that a nation is in ruins.

While Hurricane Katrina comes to mind, this is different. One Haitian community executive based in Miami described the natural disaster as “apocalyptic.”
Aptly put.

As my husband Roland recalled last evening, “Say what you want about America, but within a week or so, Louisiana residents were airlifted to other parts of the country. They had shelter, food, at least a start at a new life. In this case, that won’t happen.”
Sadly, this is true.

Haitians will rebuild, because they’re a proud people. In a square in Port-au-Prince, there were numerous news reports about last night’s prayer vigil. In the midst of destruction, Haitians paused to hold each out, chant, pray and give thanks—for merely having survived. Hopefully this can give a second of peace and solace to the echoes of wailing citizens who question why a higher power would or could cause this type of unfathomable death and destruction.

Somehow, people dig deep and survive. They manage to find a way to lift themselves out of the ashes. The least Americans can do is give thanks for our way of life and learn to stop complaining about trivial things

Perhaps, with a renewed interest in global affairs, world leaders can use their influence and power to rebuild Haiti as the global economy rebuilds from the ground up. The country’s proximity to the United States could be a benefit as the mid-Americas region finds its place in the international landscape.


Kudos: Sec. of State Hillary Clinton

Let’s commend Sec. Clinton for immediately jetting back to DC to oversee State Department and USAID rescue effort. Way to go Hillary! One thing’s for sure, the
Obama administration has leapt into action this time around.

Even former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are using their persuasive powers for the public good, helping to mobilize international relief efforts. We need these power couples and many more because the task at hand is seemingly insurmountable.

Somehow, some way, the job will get done. In your own circles, try to do the same thing and effect change where you can, even if it’s here in your own back yard. While Haiti holds our attention for the moment, don’t forget their needs once the cameras are focused on something else.

For that matter, don’t forget your neighbors or those in need right here at home.


Celebrity Shout Out

Kudos to Bragelina (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) for donating $1 million to the Haiti Rescue effort via Doctors Without Borders. Years ago, I had the pleasure of attending one of their seminars at the Fashion Institute of Technology; the organization does fantastic work all over the world.

Other power couples … making your matching donation now! Disasters like this make me want to be uber rich so I’ll have more to give.


Race Relations: Reality Check

Last weekend, news channels were abuzz regarding Sen. Harry Reid’s (D-NV) comments that President Barack Obama was an acceptable black person to run for leader of the free world because he was light-skinned and didn’t speak with a Negro dialect.

Thankfully, that topic has been displaced by real news: the tragedy in Haiti, something really worth discussing.

Here are a few ways you can change the game in your own community or be effective among audiences you influence:

> Speak up in class or in the workplace;
> Start frank discussions;
> Be confident enough to be yourself;
> Display excellence;
> Demonstrate your top-flight work ethic each day of the week;
> Practice ethical integrity;
> Forge new connections by joining a networking group or professional association where your ethnic group is the minority;
> Continue to learn and expand your worldview by having a real conversation eye-to-eye, in addition to online conversations (when you’re dealing with race, face-to-face is important)
> To understand how backroom politics really works, purchase Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, HarperCollins Publishers. For a taste of the book, check out:

An Excerpt From John Heilemann and Mark Halperin's 'Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime' -- New York Magazine http://nymag.com/news/politics/63045/#ixzz0ccv4sU36

Diligent implementation of the above will show friends, colleagues and peers that you can relate. That’s race relations in its finest hour. Don’t merely sprint, be a race relations realist for the long haul. Government or human resources won’t solve the problem; you have to do the heavy lifting by starting a dialogue with people who sit right next to you, in the office, at school or on the subway. Take a risk and have a substantive dialogue, rather than a “lamestream” packaged approach.

Think about race. Bring up the subject in small forums. Be honest about your feelings. Understand your comments may receive raised eyebrows, but you’ll aid in a frank discussion about something we all need to talk about in order to move forward.

And, understand race relations is a subject for the ages. It will take time, but you’ve got to remember to make time and a safe place to talk about it in the first place.


Shout Out to Sarah!

Think what you want about Alaska’s favorite hockey mom (like me) and politician, but Gov. Sarah Palin has parlayed her time on the national scene into a multi-million deal with Fox News. Girlfriend has achieved the American dream—good for her!

While I don’t agree with most of her politics, she’s an excellent case study of personal branding at its finest.

Sarah’s lesson: Go for your dream. Really, what do you have to loose? You might even succeed!