"Ensanm nou ka fe nenpot bagay. Bondye beni Ayiti."

Transaltion: Together we can accomplish anything. God bless Haiti

Have you ever noticed how long 35 seconds is? It is long enough for a 7.0 magnitude earthquake to rock a country leaving 1.5 million people homeless and hundreds of thousands dead.

On January 12, 2010, Haiti's land, infrastructure, and people were changed forever by a catastrophic earthquake. On January 13, 2012, Community 2 Community (C2C) a grassroots non-profit organization at the forefront of relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti, chose to help others remember this nation and its people.

The night highlighted the work C2C has been doing in Haiti and brought together artists like jazz/gospel legend Oleta Adams, R&B sensation Chrisette Michele and Haitian-Kompa band CaRiMi to celebrate Haiti.

The concert was held at the Walt Whitman Theater on the campus of Brooklyn College, an ideal location for the strong Haitian community that attends the school and also lives in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York.

Before the main event began, the theater's lobby furnished a very festive atmosphere reminiscent of the islands. 

Attendees were met with music from Monvelyno Alexis, a Haitian guitarist. He was accompanied by a drummer with a simple two-piece set as Monvelyno sang selections from his latest album. Artwork from Haitian-born painter Patricia Brintle was displayed, showcasing all original works of vibrant color, depicting flora, women, and island life.

As the show got into gear, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz offered a presentation of proclamation to founder of C2C Marie-Yolaine Eusebe for her commitment to rebuilding Haiti.

The C2C Haiti Restoration and Transformation Project in the city of Petit Goave, Haiti, an area heavily affected by the earthquake, partnered with the community to construct 15 new latrines to provide access to proper sanitation. They even organized an intense one-day education and aqua-tabs distribution intervention to ward off a cholera outbreak.

Additionally, C2C's water initiative is working to a have a complete water system in place for Petit Goave that they may have clean water for everyday living. The organization has already taken the first step by building a spring box and excavating land for a water tank.

As if to celebrate Eusebe's achievement, the Coalition Dance Company opened up with an upbeat, riveting piece set to the sounds of the popular dance track, "Hot," choreographed by Jessica Lynch.

A musical presentation entitled "And the earth shook" was performed by the house band and swiftly captivated the audience with sounds akin to an earthquake. The drums, percussions - with full on bongos, congas, timbales - bass guitar, and keyboards played an intense set of rumbles and rattling sounds.

After a memorial of light display, the projector screen became a chilling reminder of that 35 seconds felt by the nation in 2010. The theater was in silence as a counter ran on the screen from 35 to 0; everyone paused to remember how swiftly so many lives were taken and/or devastated by this disaster.

Beautifully interwoven into many of the evening's presentations was the underlying imagery of the land and nature in all its elements - albeit destructive as it is beautiful.

Spoken word artist Ortavia "Wisdom" Jackson accompanied by dancer John "Mavrick" Colon addressed the audience with "After Shock, Wave," admonishing attendees to be resilient in the face of adversities through God, like the waves of the ocean.

"He is your strength in any state, island or continent," resounded Wisdom as Mavrick popped and locked with precision, perfectly in sync with Wisdom's verses.

A short skit involving a mother and her young son dialoguing about Haiti and its beginnings as a civilization cleverly segued into "Then in Hispaniola," a presentation by ConcilioTainoGuatu-Ma-Cu. The Tainos were the first inhabitants of the island. An intriguing yet an unnecessarily protracted rendition, the performers were dressed in native attire complete with accessories, playing native percussive and woodwind instruments.

Mozayik, a Creole Jazz band that infuses Kompa music into traditional jazz, performed an excellent original piece, which had the audience swaying to its smooth sounds.

"Crying Out for Ayiti," the CEO of C2C Marie Eusebe recited a soliloquy from "Haiti's Children of God" by Lorey B. Hayes, wearing traditional Haitian attire. The emotions and sentiment of the soliloquy were felt through her tone and passion of delivery.

After intermission, the special performances for the night took the stage. The incomparable Oleta Adams - on a lovely grand piano - performed her hit "Get Here." The band accompanied her lightly as she played and sang with the elegance of all her years. Her song, "Window of Hope," was an ode of encouragement to those who lost loved ones in the earthquake.

New York's own Chrisette Michele, donning long locks, gave love to the borough that she frequented growing up. She opened up with a song from her debut album entitled "Let's Rock." Michele's vocal skills were on full display as she scatted at the tail end of "Let's Rock," very precisely phrasing with excellent breath control and enunciation.

"If no one else sings along" was the audience's reminder that despite every situation in life, we should always stand tall and persevere. 

The final special guests were hometown favorites - CaRiMi. The popular Haitian band was in Haiti the day of the earthquake but, thankfully, survived and made it out to tell the story. All the members of the band wore t-shirts designed by Fashion With A Conscience. They read: "God Save Haiti."

Singing mellow soulful songs in Creole, many patrons sung along. But it was the group's breakout single of 2001, "Ayiti Bang Bang," which had the entire auditorium on their feet and waving their hands in unison. The song depicts the political and social troubles of Haiti, while paying homage to their beloved country. The Kompa grooves played by the band were truly infectious.

The finale for the event, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now," was performed by all the participants and led by James "D-Train" Williams and the Christian Cultural Center choir.

The snapshot of all these people of different walks of life joined on stage to support the country of Haiti was heartwarming and moving. It showed the true essence of the human will and the power of unity. Indeed, it was a wonderful close to an inspiring night.

*Event Photography Credit: K'Von Jacques