TMLA’s Black Student Union (formerly the African Heritage and Caribbean Culture Club) launched a fundraising campaign after Hurricane Melissa severely impacted Jamaica on Oct. 28.
To amplify their message, TMLA seniors and BSU/AHCC members Mahlania Flores and Morgan McEachern explained the purpose behind using a mini-documentary—to highlight the hurricane’s aftermath and rally support.
“We also wanted our community to understand the severity of what happened, so we reached out to Jamaican staff and students—people with close ties to Jamaica. We first spoke to a junior whose grandfather’s house had been impacted; she told us the whole roof was gone and how difficult it was for them to move around or even manage basic needs,” Flores said.
They interviewed Howard Holness, facilities director, and Dameon Gordon, facilities associate, choosing familiar faces who understood events in Jamaica and could speak authentically.
“We were able to use footage from Gordon, who had visited Jamaica to help his mother. He shared videos showing the impact on his community and the people he knew (in Black River). We paired that with insight from Howard and commentary from one of our classmates, Malia Mangaroo, whose cousins lost their roof and can no longer attend school. Including her perspective helped students our age imagine themselves in that situation,” Flores added.
McEachern emphasized the campaign’s urgency: “I want viewers to grasp the seriousness—lives are in danger, people need help, and immediate action is necessary.”
This school year, TMLA collections run Nov. 24 to Dec. 19, 2025. The BSU/AHCC has raised over $7,500. Distribution in Jamaica is set for February.
Holness and Gordon, both from St. Elizabeth Parish, will deliver goods to Black River and work with local Anglican churches to identify families and schools in need.
Flores believes the campaign is designed to give Jamaican families a foundation to begin rebuilding their communities, fostering lasting change.
“Whether the donations are small or large, everyone who contributes is helping. Our goal is to help reform and rebuild, which connects back to TMLA’s mission of helping the dear neighbor and working in unity. Our school came together to support an entire country,” Flores explained.
Discussing how she’d want this project to be part of her legacy, either personally or on behalf of the BSU/AHCC, Flores thinks the mini-documentary really opened eyes and changed hearts.
Our documentary changed hearts and showed this is more than fundraising — it’s about restoring comfort and safety and leaving a legacy of community support.
For the BSU, it feels good to help people. It reassures us that we’re doing the right thing and that we’re in the right place. Helping others is something we want to be known for.
