What to know
- Nearly $2.3 million was raised at the Harmonies of Hope benefit concert to support communities in Western Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa.
- The event featured performances by Jully Black, Sean Jones, Quisha Wint, Steele and The Hardcore Band, with a program inspired by Bob Marley’s music.
- Recovery efforts will take years, and organizers emphasized the need for continued support through donations and tourism.
- Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and event patron Wes Hall both highlighted the resilience of the Jamaican people and the importance of keeping the country “top of mind” throughout the rebuilding process.
A Toronto benefit concert has raised nearly $2.3 million to support Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa.
On Wednesday night, Harmonies of Hope filled the Meridian Arts Centre with performances by Jully Black, Sean Jones, Quisha Wint, Steele and The Hardcore Band, uniting audiences in support of Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa.
Hosted by Canadian rapper and producer Kardinal Offishall and GMI CEO Brandon Gonez, the event brought together artists, community leaders, politicians and supporters for a night of unity inspired by the music and legacy of Bob Marley.
Organizers told Now Toronto that the event raised $2,282,558 in donations in just three weeks of fundraising to support Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica.
All funds will go directly to organizations working on health, education and infrastructure rebuilding efforts in areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
They added that rebuilding will require ongoing attention and investment.
“The process to recovery will be a long one and we will continue to look for support from our community.”
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EDMUND BARTLETT ON SOLIDARITY
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, said the outpouring of support from Canada has been overwhelming.
“It is not only the Jamaican diaspora that is responding, but the Canadian family overall is responding. And that’s a good thing too, because what it says is that Jamaica’s presence in Canada has added value to this great country, and they’re giving back to us,” Bartlett told Now Toronto.
When asked what Canadians can do to support, he answered, “The best way to support us is to visit us.”
He added that the economic impact of tourism is crucial. “Tourism is the essence of our economy in Jamaica, and bringing back tourism as quickly as we are is a sure guarantee to bring back the economy of Jamaica.”
Bartlett said the overwhelming support from Canadians has been profoundly moving. He explained that seeing people outside the Jamaican diaspora rally behind the country reinforced how deeply connected the two nations are.
“It warms my heart greatly… tonight is not just the response of the Jamaicans, but it is a response of the Canadians.”
He also spoke about the spirit of Jamaica, a resilience and generosity he hopes people around the world come to understand. Bartlett shared a well-known expression that captures this identity, saying, “With little, but with talawa (meaning ‘we are special, we are there’)… we punch 10 times our weight in size and shape.”
WES HALL KEEPS JAMAICA TOP OF MIND
For event patron Wes Hall, the night was personal, rooted in his upbringing in rural Jamaica, where many people face deep poverty and are often overlooked.
Hall stressed that even as the world’s attention shifts elsewhere, the reality on the ground in Jamaica remains dire. He explained that many people assume the country has already bounced back, but that isn’t the case.
“People have moved on from the hurricane, right?” he said, noting that despite the perception of recovery, “there’s still a ton of communities in Jamaica that people don’t have fresh water, they don’t have food, they don’t have medical supplies, they just don’t have help and support.”
It’s precisely why he believes Harmonies of Hope carries such urgency. Hall said the concert is a way to keep the country’s needs visible.
“This event for me is to keep Jamaica top of mind until we fully recover, and that’s probably going to take some time.”
As for the concert itself, Hall said he was simply excited for the atmosphere of joy and unity that Jamaican culture brings.
“I’m just looking forward to listening to some Bob Marley and one love and just chilling and cooling about it… we’re just celebrating that resiliency tonight.”
And his involvement won’t end at the event. Hall confirmed he will be travelling to Jamaica immediately afterward to ensure the aid reaches the communities that need it most.
The night was guided by Marley’s timeless message of “One Love,” and Harmonies of Hope showcased Jamaica’s ability to remain joyful and united even amid hardship.
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