Wyclef Jean, Royce Reed, Singer Olivia Hosting Fundraiser For Haiti

Melky Jean has dedicated herself to helping the people of Haiti through her Carma Foundation, using its funds to improve the conditions of women and children in the country.

This year the charity does it again, with its fourth annual "Geminis Give Back" fundraiser.

Held on June 16th at Saatchi & Saatchi, the charity event will have a huge line-up of stars including Wyclef Jean, K. Foxx, Royce Reed of VH1's Basketball Wives, and John Starks of the NY Knick among various others.

Attendees will also see performances from G-Fella and songstress Olivia.

Last year stars such as Patti LaBelle, Vivica A. Fox, and  Miss USA Rima Fakih came to support the cause.

Haitians are still struggling through the effects of the tragic earthquake that hit just last year, however, the continued support and aid has has brought hope to its citizens.

On December 16th, Wyclef Jean, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, fashionista Donna Karan and music mogul Andre Harrell will host a special event where items from the film and art industry will be auctioned, with benefits going towards Haiti's relief project.

"The Truth" is a multimedia exhibition and auction of film images and artworks by Haitian, Haitian American and Haitian inspired artists.

Some of the entertainment industry's elite will be in attendance such as Forest and Kiki Whitaker, Spike Lee, Erykah Badu, David Arquette, Maria Bello, Gary Dourdan, Michael Stahl and Jimmy Jean-Louis.

The exhibition and Auction will raise funds to give the Haitian people "Gifts of Love" packages this holiday season and into the New Year. Packages will include critical items such as shoes, solar flashlights and whistles to help prevent night attacks and rapes on women living in the Haitian camps.

The premier reception will include human rights activist Kerry Kennedy as “Master of Ceremonies," renowned fashion photographer Marc Baptiste will be the “Exhibition's Curator”, and Christie's Lydia Fenet will act as the evening's “Auctioneer."

The event will include a special performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean, followed by a live three-hour "Twitter party" hosted by Ms. Kardashian.

Tickets can be purchased for $125 at www.UrbanZen.org.

MORE  HIP-HOP WIRED NEWS AND VIDEOS

Flo Rida Talks New Album, Eva, Brandy & Secrets To His Success [Video Interview]

German Man Castrates Teen Daughter's 57-Year-Old Boyfriend

As previously reported the former Fugee's organization Yele Haiti contributed over $1 million to the country's relief efforts.

Now according to Clef, the relief efforts are far from over and he says the progress is going at the “speed of a turtle.”
Wyclef reports that at least 1.6 million people are still homeless and living in tents and the country's unemployment rate is at 70 to 80 percent.

Wyclef shared the shocking news in a blog for CNN saying,

“It's been almost six months since the January 12 earthquake that devastated my beloved Haiti. Speaking for myself -- not for my organization Yéle Haiti -- I will say it: Speed is of the essence. I feel that progress is being made at the speed of a turtle.

With the amount of money that has been raised to help our country, I was expecting to see construction projects. I was expecting to see thousands of heavy tractors and loaders lifting up rubble. I was expecting to see people relocated from tents and starting to get into temporary housing. And yet, during my last visit, just a few weeks ago, I saw very few, or none, of these…”

Clef also says he and his wife Claudinette spoke with Haiti's special envoy to the United Nations and shared with him an idea to make temporary housing that would eventually turn into a city called “Exodus.”

"Then we showed him the most important project we're working on: the temporary housing that we want to create that would become permanent homes. We're proposing a city called Exodus. We could then start to relocate families who don't have homes into this new place…the goal for Exodus is to eventually build 1,000 homes, which translates to housing for 5,000 people. We are working with the government on agreeing to a site in the area of Croix-des-Bouquets for building our first hundred units.”

Ultimately Clef wants the speed of Haiti's progress to increase, with a renewed focus on jobs and education.

“We need to bring business back to Haiti, we need to focus on jobs -- and, of course, education. As we reach the six-month mark, let's make a renewed commitment to cooperate, collaborate, do whatever it takes to make sure the next six months are eventful in terms of real progress. Let's do what we have to do to see things start to move more quickly. No more turtle speed; let's try to pick up the pace of Haiti's rebirth.”

Check out the rest of Wyclef's CNN blog here.

As previously reported the artist and founder of Yele Haiti penned a letter to the government asking them to further help Haitians left homeless during the nation's rainy season.

Now he's moved on to the American public and saysthat people are still suffering.

According to Wyclef there are still a number of people in need of aid including millions who are still homeless.

“1.2 million people are still living out of tents, people are still hungry and the situation of helping through medicine is very important…What I want people to understand is you have a population that's still suffering and is still in need of aid.”

Wyclef also says that the infrastructure of the country must be strengthened so they can continue to rebuild.

“As we rebuild we have to make sure there's a strong education program in this country where kids are learning how to read and write. You're not going to move a country forward until you do that…”

Check out Wycelf's interview with MSNBC below.

Recently his wife, Marie Claudinette, stumbled upon Jean's cell phone and in depth detective work revealed nude pictures of his manager, according to sources.

Clearly enraged, Claudinette had stated that she wants his manager, Lisa Ellis, fired.

A source relayed the story to the Daily News and the reaction of Jean's wife after discovering the nude image.

"Claudinette flew into a jealous rage," claimed one insider. "She jumped to the conclusion that something may be up between Wyclef and Lisa. She told Lisa to stay away from her husband. To embarrass Lisa, she also e-mailed the nude picture to a number of people in the music business."

According to Ellis, the relationship with Jean has been strictly professional, but stated that a portrait taken of her for an art book back in December 2008 was leaked out.

Ellis has resigned from her position since the incident, but gives assurance that the photo had nothing to do with her departing from her position three weeks ago.  She adds that she has no issues with Claudinette.

"She resigned because she just was not happy with the way Wyclef was conducting himself.  He wasn't listening to her advice,” stated a friend of Ellis.

Trust, the feeling might not be mutual.

Jean and Caludinette were married in 1994 and renewed their vows in August 2009.  They have a daughter together.

A photo of Ellis and Jean together.  Damn, homie...gotta delete those picture messages.

"It's all about Haiti.  Whatever you can do for Haiti, that's what it's about.  No matter how big or small, it's most definitely needed."

As many continue to donate funds to the county of Haiti after the earthquake, others are finding ways outside of their pockets to give back.

Holding a blood drive, rapper Rick Ross was able to bring people together for the greater cause and provide any donations, food blood and anything else that they were able to give.

The day of mourning was led by religious leaders of the country's two official religions, Catholicism and Voodoo.

Survivors were asked to wear black during the ceremonies which have been ongoing since 6:00 a.m.

A tearful President Rene Preval was quoted by the Associated Press as saying,

“The pain is too heavy — Words cannot explain it.”

The people of Haiti are asking for a worldwide moment of silence at 4:53 p.m. today, the time the earthquake hit.

As previously reported BET will broadcast their “SOS Saving Ourselves-Help For Haiti” telethon tonight, bringing together acts from around the country.

Hosting the telethon at Miami's American Airlines Aren are three powerhouses in Hip-Hop, Diddy, Pharrell and Queen Latifah.

The hosts will be joined by several of their musical counterparts who'll take the stage including Drake, Justin Bieber, Ludacris, Robin Thicke, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Nas, Akon, Ptbull, Monica, India.Arie, Kirk Franklin, Common, David Banner, Missy Elliot, The-Dream and T-Pain.

Nas and Damian Marley will also give their first performance together via their Distant Relatives collaboration.

The telethon airs tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET /5:00 p.m. on BET and Centric, as well as MTV Networks' MTV and VH1.

It will also be streamed live on www.bet.com for desktop and mobile viewers.

Proceeds from the broadcast will go directly to Yele Haiti, CARE, Project Medishare and Children's Safe Drinking Water.

She will throw another one of her "Fashion For Relief" fashion shows bringing together designers and celebrities around the country to raise funds for the country in despair.

This is not Campbell's first time helping people in need, she previously staged fashion shows to help Katrina victims and victims of a terrorist attack in Mumbai.

Now one of the world's top super model's is organizing another “Fashion for Relief” runway show scheduled to take place during New York Fashion Week.

Speaking on the event, Campbell says that she has yet to find a designer that has turned down the opportunity to help.

"Everyone else is trying to help Haiti, and we wanted to do our part on the fashion side of things. The response has been overwhelming. No one has said 'no' -- which means a lot because it's such a busy time with designers preparing their fall collections."

The event takes place Feb. 12.

Tickets for the show will go on sale Feb. 5 exclusively for American Express card holders  for $100 or $15 before becoming accessible to non-American Express members.

The fashion show is expected to gross over $100,000 in ticket sales alone.

Originally produced by Quincy Jones and co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, the song made $30 million for African humanitarian programs 25 years ago.

Now in light of the devastation in Haiti, Richie and Jones have put together an all-star lineup of artists to remake the song to help the embattled country.

Helping to produce the song is Wyclef Jean who'll be joined by producer RedOne and producer-musical director Ricky Minor.

Lending vocals to the song will be Drake, Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus, T-Pain, Kanye West,  Jay-Z, Adam Levine, Jason Mraz, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Kid Cudi, Usher, LL Cool J, Bizzy Bone, Snoop Dogg, Anthony Hamilton, Gladys Knight and Trey Songz as well as a number of others.

The list of “We Are The World” contributors given to the media so far is below.

Carlos Santana, Orianthi, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Sugarland, Adam Levine, Jason Mraz, Earth Wind & Fire, Natalie Cole, The Jonas Brothers, T-Pain, Jay-Z, Eminem, Brian Wilson, Justin Bieber, Nicole Scherzinger, India.Arie, Julianne Hough, Mary Mary, Melanie Fiona, BeBe Winans, Mya, Tyrese Gibson, Anthony Hamilton, Raphael Saadiq, Gladys Knight, Keri Hilson, Joel and Benji Madden, Heart, Brandy, Pink, Musiq Soulchild, Miley Cyrus, Akon, Jordin Sparks, Celine Dion, Rob Thomas, Katharine McPhee, Jeff Bridges, Randy Jackson, Patti Austin, Kid CuDi, Usher, Will.i.am, Kanye West, LL Cool J, Issac Slade (of The Fray), Snoop Dogg, Nicole Richie, Trey Songz, Ethan Bortnick, Taryll Jackson, Taj Jackson, TJ Jackson, Vince Vaughn, Drake, Freda Payne, Faith Evans, Robin Thicke, Rashida Jones, Barbra Streisand, Jimmy Jean Louis, Enrique Iglesias, Zac Brown, Lil Wayne, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Sean Garrett, Harry Connick Jr., Al Jardine, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (Bizzy Bone) and A.R.Rahman