September 8, 2019
Greetings!

Hurricane Dorian is the most powerful storm to ever hit the Bahamas. Making landfall as a Category 5 on September 1, the hurricane not only brought flooding rains and wind gusts up to 220 mph, but it stalled over the area, moving at just 1 mph for much of the day. The devastation is greatest on Abaco and Grand Bahama islands. More than 13,000 houses, or about 45 percent of all homes, were damaged or destroyed in these areas, The Associated Press reports.

The reported dead is approximately 50, however, with thousands missing, the death toll is expected to rise as rescue workers work through the devastation.

Thousands of people on the majority Black islands need food and clean drinking water.

COAL calls on its members to pray for the people of the Bahamas and to do what you can, if you can.

Below are information and various charities focused on responding to the need for major relief for the people of the Bahamas.

Thank you,

COAL Board of Directors

" The time to work seriously and collectively, to improve the state of our Community, is upon us... "   
Let's Get to Work.
Hurricane Dorian has delivered a devastating blow to two of our major islands – Grand Bahama and Abaco. We are extremely saddened by the loss of life, homes destroyed and landscape damaged. The spirit and resolve of our people remains strong, and we will continue to help everyone impacted. CLICK HERE
8 Ways To Help The Bahamas Recover From Hurricane Dorian
“We are in the midst of one of the greatest national crises in our country’s history.”
As residents recover, there will likely be stark differences in how various communities access financial resources; beyond the resorts on Grand Bahama,  Abaco  is mainly inhabited by fishermen, manual laborers and migrants from Haiti. As one of the Caribbean islands closest to the United States—it is just  50 miles  from the Florida coast—Americans frequently visit the Bahamas for both vacation and business. So it is not surprising that many in the U.S. have mobilized to organize relief efforts. These organizations are working to help communities facing socioeconomic challenges after Dorian:

Several U.S. charities are supplying medical teams, tarps, radios, food, water and other relief supplies. You can also contribute by clicking here.

Facebook's Crisis Response is set up for people to mark themselves safe for friends and family.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority has set up the Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Fund. It says 100 percent of the donations will go to relief efforts and funds will be managed by the non-profit Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina with donations tax deductible in the US.
Quick facts: Hurricane Dorian's devastating effect on the Bahamas
An aerial view of damage caused by Hurricane Dorian is seen in Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island on September 4, 2019 in Great Abaco, Bahamas. A massive rescue effort is underway after Hurricane Dorian spent more than a day inching over the Bahamas, killing at least seven as entire communities were flattened, roads washed out and hospitals and airports swamped by several feet of water, according to published reports. PHOTO: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Message from Phil Davis via the COAL website:
" Black brothers & sisters in Abaco must be wondering why the US Black Community is ignoring the needs of their people....Jessie Jackson is silent...Farakann is silent ...."

COAL then asked Phil:
" What are your thoughts on what needs to be done ? "

The following suggestion was Mr. Davis' response:
" How about all the wealthy “rappers” do a benefit for these people without taking a dime in: Detroit, Chicago, Brooklyn, Miami, New Orleans,…every location that has a big AA population..
Then contract with distributors of Manufactured homes to put a thousand on cargo ships to be delivered to Abaco?
Florida, near by, is a big source of these homes….this could be done…"

Finally, from COAL:
" If any of our members or community-of-interest have the connections to get the ball rolling on this, let's do it !"
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What We Believe
The Coalition of African American Leaders believes that it is important to examine the critical issues confronting the African American community where injustice, inequality and the absence of access and opportunity continue to prevail, thereby negatively impacting us as a people. COAL is an assemblage that advocates and organizes for appropriate and responsible public policy change, system behavior change and equality of opportunity. We aim to achieve for all of our people the fullness of the life experience without any form of racism or exclusion as a deterrent. We believe we must prepare ourselves for the opportunity of this full participation, thereby achieving the necessary education and training to participate.