Dr. Ron Daniels is a giant in his field. Among African American scholars, he is a leader, visionary and highly progressive voice for issues that matter to people of color. One his great loves is Haiti, the country that is left suffering and forgotten in the midst of an earthquake, disease and persistent poverty. Dr. Daniels would like to do something about these problems, and he has an avenue that allows concerned Americans like yourself to become directly involved. He is the founder of the Haiti Support Project and the Pilgrimage of Hope Cruise to Haiti, providing an opportunity for all of us to visit the country's most challenged areas. AOL BlackVoices caught up with Daniels to discuss the work of his nonprofits:


What is the status of the situation in Haiti?
In the Communique from the Haiti Support Project's assessment, we describe the conditions as follows: Nine months after the earthquake, one has an impression of incremental but grossly insufficient progress in terms of crucial reconstruction challenges, particularly relocating displaced persons from the tent communities to permanent homes. Most streets in Port-au-Prince are open, commerce in the improvised marketplaces is bustling and there is less rubble. But the tent communities are the dominant reality as one travels throughout the city. There is a sense of inertia, which threatens to make these squalid dwelling places the new norm for hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti. The reference is to the capital of Port-au-Prince. In essence, the road to reconstruction for Haiti will require constant pressure on the U.S. government and international institutions and a sustained commitment from organizations like the Haiti Support Project.

What are your plans to help the people of Haiti?
The Haiti Support Project has been focusing on Haiti for the past 15 years with the objective of mobilizing and organizing African Africans and other people of African descent to partner with Haitian Americans to play a meaningful role in the process of democracy and development in the world's first black republic. During that period, we have mobilized more than $3 million in various forms of humanitarian and developmental assistance for Haiti. And we have established the Model City Initiative in the town of Milot in the northern region of the country near Cap Haitien. Milot sits at the foot of the citadel, the magnificent mountaintop fortress that King Henri Christophe built after the Haitian revolution to deter further foreign invasions. Conceived by black minds and built by black hands, the citadel has been declared one of the great wonders of the world. Accordingly, the goal of the Model City Initiative is to transform the lovely town of Milot into a Mecca for cultural-historical tourism as a foundation for people based on economic development. Toward that end, we say every person of African descent should visit the citadel at least once in a lifetime.

We also established the Haiti Relief Fund to support grassroots organizations on the ground engaged in the relief, recovery and reconstruction effort. To date, we have raised more than $140,000 and distributed over $100,000 to women's organizations, peasant organizations, youth projects and the Oasis Institute for orphaned children. People can secure more information about HSP's Haiti Relief Fund at ibw21.org.

What can the rest of us do to support your pilgrimage?
The goal of the For the Love of Haiti: Pilgrimage of Hope Humanitarian Cruise is to lift the spirits of the Haitian people by mobilizing hundreds of friends who care deeply about Haiti and want to see the nation restored. It is envisioned as a roll-up-your-sleeves initiative, where participants will have the opportunity to contribute humanitarian assistance, perform community service, explore opportunities for business investments and experience the rich history and culture of the world's first black republic. It's a seven-day cruise, from Oct. 7-10, but we need people to register with deposits to reserve their cabins by Dec. 15 of this year in order to charter Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas. Susan Taylor, George Fraser and Warren Ballentine are among the notable leaders and personalities supporting the Pilgrimage of Hope Humanitarian Cruise.

How do we get the information we need to support the pilgrimage?
We encourage and urge interested parties to call 866.502.8415 or visit the Website, pilgrimageofhopecruise.com.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our AOL BlackVoices audience?
Yes, I firmly believe that people of African descent in the United States must make rebuilding Haiti our cause in the 21st Century. As long as the world's first black republic can derisively be referred to as the "poorest nation in the western hemisphere," it reflects negatively on black people everywhere. Joining us for the Pilgrimage of Hope Cruise is one way to support this incredibly important cause!

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.