Melky The Humanitarian
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Melky Jean is the daughter of Haitian immigrants who migrated to Brooklyn, New York. Pastor Jean, her father along with his young wife Yolande, left Haiti in search of political and economic freedom.
Melky is the fourth of five children. She has three older brothers, Wyclef, Samuel, Sedeck and a younger sister Rose. You can imagine the joy her parents felt when their first daughter was born. In Haitian culture it is believed that the name you give a child shapes their personality and their future. Pastor Jean decided to name his daughter Blandinna Melky Jean after a Christian martyr who was burned at the stake for her beliefs. Melky was a devoted “daddy’s girl” and when he passed she found herself looking for the meaning of life. Her father, a minister and missionary had instilled in his children the importance of living righteously and giving back. Melky exhibited musical talent at a very young age and the family recognized that she was gifted and had her own mind. At the age of five, she was directing the church choir and singing alongside her talented brother Wyclef in the family band. Everyone knew that little Ms. Melky was born to be on stage.
Melky attended the Newark School of the performing Arts where she graduated at the top of her class. She enrolled in Rutgers School of Music but was disillusioned with the Music program and decided to leave. Shortly after she landed a recording contract with MCA Records.
Melky’s credits include: a Grammy nomination; she is featured on countless soundtracks; was the voice of Sanaa Lathan in disappearing Acts; she featured on Carlos Santana, The Shymans album; she wrote songs for Sinéad O'Connor and Regina Belle. The Rolling Stones Magazine once named her “as one of the most influential underground artist.”
Melky migrated to Miami and after witnessing the manner in which the Haitians refugees were being treated, she decided to become an advocate for Haitian TPS and Haitian rights. In 2007 Melky started her own organization, the Carma Foundation, Dedicated to improving the lives of Haitian women and children.
After four hurricanes hit the island, Melky was one of the first people to get aide to those in need. 0bserving that children were without shoes she partnered with Crocs and donated over 12,000 pairs of shoes to the children of Haiti. Prior to the January 2010 devastation, Melky through her Carma foundation scholarship program is responsible for sending several children to school.
Melky’s Philosophy is simple but rebellious like her name sake. She realized that bringing aid to Haiti was not stimulating the local economy, so she decided to start what she calls her “Haiti Stimulus Package.” Whenever her organization brings food to orphans and villagers, she buys from the local merchant. She also believes that when you empower a woman you empower a village and in 20I0 has worked on developing programs geared towards health and wellness.
Melky has used her influence as an artist to encourage other artist to give back to Haiti. She is the executive producer of the Care for Haiti album project which includes some of the top entertainers in the business. Legendary performers like Patti Labelle, Sean Paul, Krs I, Youssor Ndour and of course her brother Wyclef Jean who lend their talent in support of Haiti. All I00 percent of the proceeds from this project will be donated to Yele Haiti and the Care foundation.
Melky looks to the future and hopes to be a part of a new school of Haitians who will usher Haiti into a brighter future with affordable and effective education, sustainability, and economic growth. Her Carma Foundation launched their first Carma Kitchen. A micro lending program for women in the town of Lassare.
Melky believes that the way to turn around Haiti’s economic situation is through creating jobs and education.
In 2009 the city of Miami celebrated Melky by naming a day in her Honor for her artistic achievement and philanthropic works.
March 20I0 Melky Jean has been honored for her humanitarian efforts through her work with the Carma Foundation by the City of, New York Parks and Recreations Department, in conjunction with LOTUS Music & Dance.
In September 20I0 Melky Jean was honored at The 5 Continents Academy Awards for her work in Haiti and as a role model to the Haitian Jaspora.
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Carma Foundation
The Carma Foundation's is a non-profit organization classified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The mission of Carma is to measurably improve the health of poor and vulnerable women and children in Haiti. Carma effectively utilizes media and pop culture to create a platform of awareness, dialogue, and then action. Carma, an urban spin on karma, embodies the belief of cause and effect behavior or practices to affect the lives of others. It is with this belief that Carma mobilizes others to not only care, but to become involved. Since its inception in 2007, Carma has already impacted the lives of tens of thousands of Haitian women and children and plans to extend its reach to the millions of Haitian citizens.