CLOAK + Positivity Moves

HAITI QUAKE MARCH

2011-12-29T14:30:00.000-08:00

SECOND ANNUAL HAITI SOLIDARITY VIRTUAL MARCH, ENTITLED “ONE12,” TO KICK OFF ON TWITTER.

Last year, thousands of tweeters followed @CLOAKINC on twitter as they tweeted their love and support for Haiti using hashtag: #iLoveHaiti. The virtual march symbolized the solidarity people have for the nation that endured one of the most epic earthquakes in history. Community leaders and activists from around the country participated by tweeting their thoughts using the event hashtag at designated times throughout the day. The CLOAK INC moderated event garnered a huge following and even made the trending list on twitter for the day.

This year, CLOAK will continue the annual Haiti Solidarity Virtual March on twitter. The virtual event kicks off on the historic anniversary of the Haiti Earthquake, January 12, 2012 at exactly 4:53pm, the recorded time of the earthquake.

“It is important for us to continue our efforts to keep Haiti in our hearts and minds. We will not forget the nation that continues to need our support in so many ways, says CLOAK CEO, Ebonie Mukasa.” “We still maintain our position as a fashion company on a mission to promote hope and inspiration to all.”

CLOAK has really found a creative and unique way to bring hope and inspiration through fashion. The company has been at it since 2008 and shows no signs of slowing down.

Please follow @cloakinc on twitter now.
See the many ways you can be involved at: neverforgettheday.com/get-involved/ Partner and sponsorship information can be found at neverforgettheday.com/sponsorship/ or by calling 305-654-0035.

FANCY FACE... A MUST FOLLOW FOR THE MAKEUP-ISTAS OUT THERE!

2011-06-29T18:25:00.000-07:00

We stumbled on this amazing blog!

The face behind the "Fancy Face" is Tina, an electrical engineer by day and beautylicious genius by night. She has a passion for the art of make up and she uses herself as the canvas for her gorgeous creations. The best part about her blog is her disclosing what she used and how to achieve the amazing looks on display. For you aspiring make-up artists out there... take out your notebook and pay attention...class is in session at Fancy Face University.

Check out her blog here: http://thefancyface.blogspot.com/search/label/LOOKS

Legacy Of Student Killed In Haiti Quake

2011-06-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

BOCA RATON (CBS4) – Just days after officials confirmed Britney Gengel died in the devastating earthquake in Haiti her parents started a foundation called Be Like Brit.

In 16 months they have created what was once their daughter’s dream.

“She had the courage to do something that she wanted to do in her heart,” said Britney’s father Len Gengel.

Britney was part of a group of 14 students and professors from Lynn University in Boca Raton who were volunteering in Haiti when the deadly quake hit in 2010.

The young college student was one of six people who perished in the earthquake. Hours before the devastating tremor she sent her parents a text message that said she wanted to start an orphanage in Haiti.
Now her parents are full filling that dream.

“It’s the greatest business challenge of my life,” said Len Gengel. “To actually build a 90,000 square foot building in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.”

Len Gengel, a construction company owner, is overseeing the entire creation of the orphanage that will house 66 Haitian children. Construction has been underway for months, but right now crews are pouring concrete –a monumental step for the Be Like Brit Organization.

“We hope to be coming out of the ground in September,” said Gengel.

The orphanage should open sometime in 2012. In the mean time, The Be Like Brit Organization is looking for volunteers or what they are call “Britsionaries” to serve to in Haiti.

Britney’s former classmate PJ Tyska was on the mission trip with Britney when she died. He is serving as “Britsionary” on the construction sight and spending quality time with Haitian children.

“It’s about the whole experience of getting to know the people who live here,” said Tyska.

The family hopes creating a legacy will change and impact the lives of young Haitians.

“She gave us that gift, said Len Gengel. “That is a blessings that my wife and I will treasure.”

For more information on how you can become a volunteer for Be Like Brit organization- log onto: http://belikebrit.org

This story was sourced from CBS Miami (http://miami.cbslocal.com).

GO FROM BOYS TO MEN

2011-06-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

(click on the image to make larger)

In honor of father's day... which we're extending through the end of the month, we thought it would be nice to write an article just for the fellas. Read & enjoy!
It seems like the fashion industry is predominantly geared to serving the needs of women. When it comes to style, fashion and etiquette, men are too often neglected. This is an article for our guys out there that want to step things up a bit. We have just a few pointers to inspire men in their style and even their swag.

1. FIT IS EVERYTHING. You don't have to have a lot, but everything you do have should FIT! The days of over sized tees & sloppy pants sagging (although certain types of sagging is actually good). Your pieces don't have to be expensive to look haute. Getting your clothes taken in and hemmed (yes even your jeans) can make a man look like he just stepped out of a GQ mag.

2. ALWAYS ADD A LITTLE UNEXPECTED & COOL SOMETHING TO YOUR LOOK. Watches and funky kicks are great opportunities for guys to take any look from just ok to HAWT! Choose pieces with a little pop of color, unusual shapes & angles, and embellished with bold hardware. Caution: Don't go overboard... Being "extra" is never a good look! If your shoes are bold, then your outfit should be simmered down. You don't want everything you have on to be screaming at the same time.

3. JACKETS GO A LONG WAY. A well-dressed man should have timeless leather jacket, several different well-fitting blazers, sporty track jackets a denim jacket. Those pieces can make something as simple as jeans and a t-shirt look ultra stylish and very cool.

4. THERE IS A TIME & PLACE. Always be properly dressed for any occasion. A first date is about making a great first impression... put away the basketball shorts and think about what you're putting on. If you're going to a nice dinner, pull out the blazer and the leather boots or cool kicks. When in doubt ask a female someone to cosign on your look for the date. Dressing for work is about looking POLISHED, PROFESSIONAL and SMART. Some jobs allow you to be casual while others have uniforms or require full business attire. Whatever the requirement, always look clean and polished when going to work. Keep your nails clean & trimmed, wear a belt and iron your clothes. Your mother knew what she was talking about when she told you these things!

***BONUS: SWAG TIPS***

5. KEEP YOUR B.O. IN CHECK. by B.O. we mean Body Odor & Breath Odor. Here are a few ways to do the B.O. check.
Step 1: Look down your shirt and then stick your face in it.
Step 2: Take a deep breath through your nose.
Step 3: If you smell anything else besides body wash, deodorant, or cologne chances are... you need to freshen up.
Step 4: Handle that.
Now for the Breath check
Step 5: Cup your hands over your mouth and nose.
Step 6: Take a deep breath with your nose keeping your mouth open.
Get a second opinion from one of your REAL friends.
Step 7: If you smell anything else besides minty goodness... you need to freshen up. Step 8: Handle that.
Step 9: Repeat steps 1-8 every 2 hours or more frequently just to be sure.

6. FACE ON. We were surprised to learn that men typically do not really take care of their skin. Now we're not suggesting avocado mud masks or full on facials. We're just saying... wash your face in the morning and before you go to bed... and not with regular bar soap! Get a good facial wash like Anthony's, Mario Badescu or even Neutrogena (or what ever else works). We promise that your manhood will not be questioned. All you need is a cleanser and a moisturizer. There is no point in stepping up your style if your skin is... well... gross.

These are just a few things to get you looking your best! There is nothing hotter than a well-swagged man with a good heart. These tips will help with the "well-swagged" part... tune in next time for the "good heart" part.

For the ladies reading this: if you have more tips for the fellas, please chime in. PLEASE BE NICE. We're here to help not hurt.

Check out our store on Facebook for our latest men's pieces. (click here) or copy and paste this link in your browser: http://www.facebook.com/pages/CLOAK-inc/94508785616?sk=app_135607783795

Like us on Facebook.

PROM DRESS GIVEAWAY

2011-05-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

If you need a prom dress, a Miami Community Organization is giving them away to girls for their proms. Any student is eligible. Contact Sharon Marbury at: 786 251 1170

Prom Dress Giveaway

480 NW 11 Street
Miami Community Police Benevolent Assoc.
The members of the M.C.P.B.A. has started an
initiative to collect new and barely worn dresses (dry
cleaned) and make them available for any
underprivileged students to attend the prom.

What: Prom Dress Giveaway
When: May 8-13, 2011
Where: 480 NW 11 Street
Time: Please call
Other: Must show school ID to attend.
Contact: Traci Sloan 786-306-8779,
Sharon Marbury 786-251-1170,
Melissa Stuckey 786-231-7776, or
Cherise Gause 786-246- 0265

LED Technology Takes Fashion

2011-05-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

Recently, Katy Perry was spotted in an LED gown at the Met Gala in New York.

That got us thinking of how this LED fashion trends may really start blowing up in the next few years. Katy Perry is certainly not the first to rock this LED trend.

Rhianna took the stage in a red LED creation in 2010 and Swarovski crystals were paired with LED lasers to create a dazzling effect the year before. Several years ago I attended an event at Luminaire Lab in Miami's Design District where an LED fashion show took place. Models strutted down the runway in LED dress designs.

Here are some highlights in LED fashion (pun totally intended):

Soomi Park has created what we think is probably one of the most innovative LED creations... LED LASHES!

Creative Recreation really turned it out last year with their version of LED kicks.

At first we thought... WOW!!! That's so new and fresh and then we remembered LA LIGHTS!!! They were so ahead of their time. Anyways, we still give props to the Creative Rec design which is far more advanced and stylish. We could totally see a slim and sexy high (Louboutin-esque) pointy high heel covered in LED lights in a similar look as the gorgeous spiked Louboutin heels.

Rodarte Glowing Heels 2010

Not really digging the bag design but we do love

the idea of having an LED built into my maze of a purse.

So you can expect more and more LED creations to start popping up on fashion pages, runways and racks over the next several years. Who knows... an LED CLOAK Apparel™ tee may light up the scene sooner than you think...

Look out for our next review on new trends and fashion.

A CHANGING WORLD

2011-05-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Just read this and thought it would be great to share with our readers... enjoy!

THE WORLD WILL SEE MORE CHANGES IN THE NEXT 25 YEARS THAN IT HAS IN THE PAST 200. JUST THINK ABOUT THE CHANGES FROM 1940 -- 1990

Coming Changes
Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them but, ready or not, here they come!

1. The Post Office. Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

2. The Check. Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.

3. The Newspaper. The younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper. They certainly don't subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man.
As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

4. The Book. You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. And the price is less than half that of a real book and think of the convenience once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can't wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you're holding a gadget instead of a book.

5. The Land Line Telephone. Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don't need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they've always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes.

6. Music. This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It's the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is "catalog items," meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, "Appetite for Self-Destruction" by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, "Before the Music Dies."

7. Television. Revenues to the networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they're playing games and doing lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time
shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator. Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it It's time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.

8. The "Things." That You Own. Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in "the cloud." Today your computer has a hard
drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest "cloud services." That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system.

So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider. In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That's the good news. But, will you actually own any of this "stuff" or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big "Poof?"
Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

9. Privacy. If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That's gone. It's been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that
24/7 "They" know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. And "They" will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again. All we will have that can't be changed are Memories.

STYLE TIPS FROM A 78 YEAR OLD FASHION LEGEND

2011-04-22T12:58:00.001-07:00

Lynn Dell's Top Ten Style Tips

1. "We must dress everyday for the theatre of our lives."

2. "You must have a smile, you never get a second chance to make a first impression."

3. "My philosophy is fashion says 'me too,' while style says 'only me.'"

4. "It's not what you are wearing, It's how you put it together."

5. "Dress for yourself. If you are happy, you will make the world happy."

6. "Accessories are the most important thing. You can wear the same thing many times by adding different jewelry, scarves or a hat."

7. "Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative."

8. "Your attitude is your altitude."

9. "When you walk into a room with a hat, you own the room."

10. "I like strong colors and I like strong people. All colors work if the intensity is strong enough."

CASTING OPPORTUNITIES

2011-04-20T12:09:00.000-07:00

From time to time, we like to post great opportunities for our readers to take advantage of. This one in particular is for NYC residents who own their homes or rent from a landlord that wouldn't mind signing a release for you to be on the show. Check it out and please let us know if you get chosen. We'd love to post your story on our blog!

Casting NY Residents

Name: Amy Zane (Style Network)

Category: General

Email: query-157e@helpareporter.com

Media Outlet: Style Network

Deadline: 07:00 PM EST - 22 April

Query:

Does your home have too much stuff? Does it look more like a
storage unit than a place to come home and relax? IF SO, you're
a prime candidate for STYLE Network's hit show "CLEAN HOUSE"!
We're currently casting NYC residents who desperately need to
downsize 3 rooms that are over-flowing with clutter. Please
email a brief description about your "situation" and don't forget
to include your contact information. Pictures are ALWAYS welcome!
Deadline to submit is FRIDAY APRIL 22ND.

HERE IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR MOM's IN THE TRI-STATE AREA

Mom's Who Want to Start A Successful Business

Name: trina dailey (TV Show)

Category: Entertainment and Media

Email: query-14q4@helpareporter.com

Media Outlet: TV Show

Deadline: 07:00 PM EST - 22 April

Query:

Do you know a hard working Mom who wants to start her own
business? Are you a mom who's crafty or runs a side business,
but you have dreams of quitting your 9 to 5 to pursue becoming an
entrepreneur? Does she needs a little push? We're looking for
moms who live in the Tri-State area only. Send us her / your
story and include a recent photo!

EARTH WEEK GREEN LIVING TIPS

2011-04-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Earth week is April 17th through the 23rd.
Do your part and jump start your green living lifestyle this year.
See our top picks for green living.

Stop buying plastic water bottles
...especially if you are not participating in a recycling program.
Most water bottle are recyclable but people aren't actually recycling.

Participate in your community's recycling program.

Use your Energy Star Rated dishwasher.
They actually require less energy than standing over your sink and washing dishes the old fashioned way. Keep in mind that this is is relevant only when you run a full load.

Make your own cleaning products.
They'll work better, its cheaper and its great for the planet.
All Purpose Cleaner Recipe
½ cup pure liquid soap
1 gallon hot water
¼ cup lemon juice
Source: Greenpeace

More recipes: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html#
http://organizedhome.com/clean-house/pantry-recipes-homemade-cleaning-products

Cook with a pressure cooker
It's faster, food tastes better, and because its faster you use less energy plus your energy bill will be lower.

Solar Panels are becoming more affordable. Get a quote... you might find that you can actually do this!

Reconstruct your old clothes into one-of-a-kind pieces
Turn old over-sized shirts into stylish one of a kind dresses.
Take your baggy jeans and take in the leg for a tailored look.
Turn your old shirts and jeans into tote bags and clutches.
Don't know how to sew? Hire a local seam tress or fashion student. You can negotiate a comfortable price for you.

For All You Miami Fashionistas

2011-04-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

Check out Bill Cunningham's NY at Cinema O in Miami this week. The fashion documentary will be playing in Wynwood at Cinema O through Sunday. YOu can order your tickets online or at the theater. For all you fashionistas and photographers... this is a MUST SEE! Hope to see you there... we'll be the ones rocking CLOAK Apparel of course!

Sourced from: Wikipedia

William J. Cunningham (born 1928/9) is a fashion photographer for The New York Times, known for his candid and street photography.

Cunningham dropped out of Harvard University in 1948 and moved to New York, where he initially worked in advertising. Not long after, he quit his job and struck out on his own, making hats under the name "William J."^[1] After being drafted and serving a tour in the U.S. Army, he returned to New York and got a job writing for the Chicago Tribune. During his years as a writer, he contributed significantly to fashion journalism, introducing American audiences to Azzedine Alaia and Jean-Paul Gaultier.^[2] While working at the Tribune and at Women's Wear Daily, he began taking photographs of fashion on the streets of New York. As the result of a chance photograph of Greta Garbo, he published a group of his impromptu pictures in the Times in December 1978, which soon became a regular series.^[1] His editor, Arthur Gelb, has called these photographs "a turning point for the Times, because it was the first time the paper had run pictures of well-known people without getting their permission."^[3]

Cunningham photographs people and the passing scene in the streets of Manhattan every day. Most of his pictures, he has said, are never published.^[1] Designer Oscar de la Renta has said, "More than anyone else in the city, he has the whole visual history of the last 40 or 50 years of New York. It's the total scope of fashion in the life of New York."^[3] Though he has made a career out of unexpected photographs of celebrities, socialites, and fashion personalities, many in those categories value his company. According to David Rockefeller, Brooke Astor asked he be invited to her 100th birthday party, the only member of the media so honored.^[3]

In 2008 he was awarded the title chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.^[2]

In 2010, filmmaker Richard Press and Philip Gefter of The Times produced a documentary about Cunningham, his bicycle, and his camera, ^[2] entitled Bill Cunningham New York.^[4] The film's American theatrical was released on March 16, 2011.

CLOAK Sponsors Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High School Fashion Program

2011-04-15T09:47:00.001-07:00

Activism takes the runway. In an effort to inspire students in Miami to start the new wave of campaigns and fundraisers to help the young people of Haiti, CLOAK is sponsoring the Vis-à-vis Fashion Show. The event will be on this April 15, 2011 at 6:30pm at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High. CLOAK's celebrated LOVE HAITI collection will be presented on the runway by students of the High School. CLOAK, through their new line, will be bringing Haiti awareness to the next generation.

Sponsored by and collaborating with the Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High Fashion Program whose mission is "to provide a developmental program that will facilitate and support the educational achievements of all students".

Together CLOAK and The Alonso and Tracy Mourning Senior High Fashion Program will be rocking the runway and promoting youth involvement in their communities.

FASHION OPPORTUNITIES

2011-04-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

From time to time, we find awesome opportunities. Here is a volunteering opportunity to help budding designers or anyone that wants to get into the fashion industry.

DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE TEAM THAT MAKES
MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK SWIM HAPPEN?

This event represents what the cutting edge fashion events industry is all about and will be a great experience for anyone interested in a career in events, fashion, media or marketing.

For the opportunity to be involved with the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Volunteer Program, please email your resume and cover letter to MBFW_Volunteers@imgworld.com »

Volunteer roles will include:

Runway Venue Preparation
Designer Guest Ushers
Backstage Assistance and Set Up
Assemble Gift Bags and Press Kits
Help maintain the main event Information Desk
Assist in the Volunteer Center
Various other tasks for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Staff

All resumes must be received by June 15th, 2010 in order to be considered for the 2011 Collections, taking place July 15 - 19, 2010 in Miami.

Disclaimer: CLOAK Inc. is not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz Swim.

HAITI FILM SCREENING, MIAMI

2011-03-09T07:13:00.006-08:00

HAITI

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

Haiti film screening Wednesday at Miami Dade College

As a special event during the Miami International Film Festival, Miami Dade College will host a fundraising screening Wednesday of Nou Bouke, a documentary on Haiti’s past, present and future, following the 2010 massive earthquake.
The one-hour documentary - whose title means “We’re Tired” in Creole - is narrated by Haitian author Edwidge Danticat. The year-long project was produced by The Miami Heraldand El Nuevo Herald in association with independent filmmaker Joe Cardona and WPBT2. The documentary will be shown at 5:30 p.m. at MDC Wolfson Campus Auditorium, 300 NE Second Ave.
Admission is $12 for the general public; $5 for students with ID.
The profits go to Haiti relief efforts.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/08/2104838/haiti-film-screening-wednesday.html#ixzz1G6d5RcWu

NOW AT MOCA: Photographs of Miami's Haitian community by celebrated photographer Bruce Weber

2011-02-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

Haitian Flag Day, Little Haiti, Miami 2010. Copyright Bruce Weber

This extraordinary exhibition of photographs of Miami's Haitian community by celebrated photographer Bruce Weber is part of MOCA's Knight Exhibition Series and includes over 150 photographs taken by Weber from 2003 to 2010.

Bruce Weber: Haiti/Little Haiti is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art and curated by Executive Director
and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater.

Made possible with major support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Additional support provided by Irma and Norman Braman.
Media sponsorship by The Miami Herald.

Media Sponsor:

WE'VE MOVED!

2011-02-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

Connect with us our new FACEBOOK page: CLOAK Inc

FASHION DESIGN FOR TEENS at MOCA

2011-02-02T11:26:00.001-08:00

Great opportunity to learn about fashion!

Virtual March Hosted by CLOAK

2011-01-11T06:58:00.001-08:00

Join the march at: twitter.com/cloakinc.

If you have a twitter account just follow @cloakinc.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE TWEET TIMES BY REGION

2011-01-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

HAITI REGION

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 21:53:10 (UTC) - Coordinated Universal Time
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 04:53:10 PM local time at epicenter

North America:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 06:23:10 PM (NST) - Newfoundland Standard (St. John's)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 05:53:10 PM (AST) - Atlantic Standard (Halifax, San Juan)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 04:53:10 PM (EST) - Eastern Standard (New York, Toronto, Jamaica)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 03:53:10 PM (CST) - Central Standard (Chicago, Mexico City, Costa Rica)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 02:53:10 PM (MST) - Mountain Standard (Calgary, Denver, Phoenix, Mazatlan)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 01:53:10 PM (PST) - Pacific Standard (Vancouver, Los Angeles, Tijuana)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 12:53:10 PM (AKST) - Alaska Standard (Anchorage)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:53:10 AM (AHST) - Aleutian Standard (Adak)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:53:10 AM (HST) - Hawaii Standard (Honolulu)

South America:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 04:53:10 PM - Bogota, Quito, Lima
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 05:53:10 PM - Caracas, Manaus, La Paz
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 06:53:10 PM - Belem, Buenos Aires, Santiago
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 07:53:10 PM - Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Montevideo

Europe:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 09:53:10 PM - London, Lisbon
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 10:53:10 PM - Madrid, Rome, Berlin, Warsaw
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:53:10 PM - Kiev, Istanbul, Athens
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 12:53:10 AM - Moscow, St. Petersburg

Africa:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 09:53:10 PM - Casablanca, Abidjan
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 10:53:10 PM - Algiers, Lagos, Kinshasa
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:53:10 PM - Cairo, Lusaka, Cape Town
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 12:53:10 AM - Addis Ababa, Nairobi

Asia:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:53:10 PM - Ankara, Damascus
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 12:53:10 AM - Baghdad, Riyadh
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 01:23:10 AM - Tehran, Mashhad
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 01:53:10 AM - Samara, Baku, Tbilisi, Muscat
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 02:23:10 AM - Kabul
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 02:53:10 AM - Yekaterinburg, Tashkent, Karachi
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 03:23:10 AM - Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 03:53:10 AM - Novosibirsk, Almaty, Dhaka
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 04:53:10 AM - Krasnoyarsk, Bangkok, Jakarta
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 05:53:10 AM - Irkutsk, Beijing, Manila, Singapore
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 06:53:10 AM - Chita, Seoul, Tokyo
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 07:53:10 AM - Vladivostok, Guam
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 08:53:10 AM - Magadan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 09:53:10 AM - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy

Australasia/Oceania:
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 06:53:10 AM - Perth
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 07:23:10 AM - Darwin
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 07:53:10 AM - Port Moresby, Brisbane
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 08:23:10 AM - Adelaide
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 08:53:10 AM - Sydney, Melbourne, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 09:53:10 AM - Fiji
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 10:53:10 AM - Auckland, Christchurch
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 10:53:10 AM - American Samoa
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:53:10 AM - Tahiti

Twitter March to Commemorate First Anniversary of Haiti Earthquake

2011-01-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

Miami, Jan. 5, 2011-- January 12th will mark the first anniversary of the earthquake that shook the nation ofHaiti like never before. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake claimed well over 200,000 lives and left millions homeless and in need of emergency aid. With a total population of approximately 9 million people, the effects of the earthquake have been devastating to the already impoverished nation. While the effects have been devastating to the country, there have been countless stories of hope that have resonated in our hearts and mind as we reflect on the event that occurred.

To commemorate this time in our human history, CLOAK is leading a virtual march on Twitter. The march will celebrate the people that endured the earthquake, those that sacrificed themselves to help others, and those that have participated and are still contributing to solutions to help those in need. “This is a march about love,” says CLOAK CEO, Ebonie Mukasa.

People from all over the world will participate in solidarity to the nation of Haiti. Logon to your Twitter account and follow @cloakinc to participate in the momentous occasion and to show your solidarity and love for Haiti. The virtual march will begin at 4:53 EST on January 12, 2011. A message will be released to mark the beginning of the march. Follow @cloakinc on Twitter today to be connected to the movement. A satellite virtual march will also be happening on Facebook for those who do not have a Twitter accounts.

CLOAK Inc is a for-profit fashion brand whose mission is to promote hope and inspiration. CLOAK has supported organizations focused on Haiti relief since 2008. Before the earthquake in 2010, Haiti was a nation stricken by poverty and an unbelieveable food-crisis. As Haiti rebuilds, CLOAK will continue to support trust-worthy organizations and do more work on the ground.

Fore more information contact Johanne P. Wilson at jpwilson@cloakinc.com or call 917 837 5853.

Official CLOAK website

http://cloakinc.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cloakinc

http://twitter.com/cloakinc

Haiti Solidarity apparel is now available at http://cloakinc.com

in assorted colors. The "LOVE HAITI" design comes in dresses,

as well as, t-shirts for women & men.

Limited quantities available. Wholesale inquires are welcomed.

CHECK CLOAK OUT AT 19|ONE Art Showcase

2010-10-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

When: Oct 28th, 7:00PM

Location: Crossbridge Church, 6605 North Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33156

Phone: 305.661.9900

Host: 19|ONE Art Showcase

BIO: http://www.19-one.com/about/

Web Site: http://www.19-one.com/

NON-PROFIT HIGHLIGHT: MISSION OF HOPE awareness tour

2010-10-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

Lespwa

Lespwa is a movement of hope. Passion, pursuing restoration with the vision of Haiti transformed.

Opportunities to get involved :

1. Get on a Plane!

Come on a trip with a group, or apply for our internship program

2. Donate time and skills from home

* Be on a “street team”

* Find a way to plug in your talents

* Host events

3. Donate Money

* Fund Raise

* $35 for a kid to go to school

* $500 for a prosthetic leg

* $5000 builds a home (Our goal is to build 500 homes)

4. Wear it

* Buy our Merchandise and Raise Awareness

Tour Info

This is our tentative schedule for the fall tour.

November 1st- Detroit/Ft Wayne

November 8th- Greenville/Charlotte

November 15th- Nashville/Chattanooga

November 22nd- Norman/OKC

November (Dallas- Watermark in between Norman and Austin)

November 29th- Austin

December 6th- Miami/FLL

December 13th- Orlando

December 20th- Jacksonville

Goals for the tour-

To engage 20,000 people with the vision of Lespwa Means Hope.

Identify 1,000 Partners of Hope

Goals per region-

Housing and Transportation for Jeremy and Ruben

Address 2,500 people

If you’d like to get involved please indicate which areas you can assist in and email Jeremy at Jeremy @mohhaiti .org, and Jay at Jay @mohhaiti .org when you get home.

Haitian Heritage Museum & MACYs

2010-09-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release We need your help to support the Haitian Heritage Museum programming.

CONTACT: Eveline Pierre, Haitian Heritage Museum/ Executive Director
http://www.haitianheritagemuseum.org/

(Marisol Cruz), Macy’s Media Relations
(1-800-251-1431, Marisol.cruz@macys.com)

(Haitian Heritage Museum) to participate in Macy’s Fifth Annual
Shop For A Cause Day
(Haitian Heritage Museum ) to benefit from sale of Macy’s savings passes

(Miami, FL) – Month Day, 2010 – (Haitian Heritage Museum) today announced its participation in Macy’s fifth annual “Shop For a Cause” charity shopping event, which has raised more than $34 million for local charities across the country since 2006. This year’s Shop For A Cause will take place at all Macy’s stores and on macys.com on Saturday, October 16, 2010 and also select stores only on Friday, October 15, 2010.

Through Shop for a Cause, Macy’s provides participating organizations with shopping passes to sell for $5 each. Organizations keep 100% of every ticket sold. Pass holders will enjoy 20% or 10% off most regular, sale and clearance purchases all day, plus 25% off one regular, sale or clearance item in men's, women's or kids apparel or accessories. Some exclusions apply, see pass for details. By purchasing a shopping pass to the event, customers will be supporting their favorite cause while enjoying a day of spectacular discounts, entertainment, special events and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree.

“Macy’s is committed to giving back to our communities, and we are proud to offer our customers an easy way to make a positive difference while enjoying great savings at our stores. Last year alone, the Shop for a Cause program raised more than $6 million for nearly 10,000 charities,” said Martine Reardon, Macy’s Executive Vice President of Marketing. “Shop for a Cause is a meaningful way for Macy’s customers and associates to give back to the charities, schools and non-profits that matter most to them.”

This is a great opportunity to help raise funds for the Haitian Heritage Museum educational programs.
This is the (1) year that (Haitian Heritage Museum) has participated in Macy’s Shop for a Cause day.
Customers who want to purchase a ticket to benefit Haitian Heritage Museum can call (305 371-5988) or email (hhmeveline@comcast.net) for more information. Supporters who have purchased a Shop for a Cause pass can log-on towww.macys.com to find their nearest Macy’s store.

About Macy’s
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers.

For Macy’s media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.

About Charity
The Haitian Heritage Museum (HHM) is a not for profit organization that is committed to highlighting and preserving Haiti’s rich culture and heritage locally, nationally and internationally. Our goal is to provide a cultural Mecca for Little Haiti where individuals outside of our community and within our community boundaries can come to enjoy beautiful Haitian art, historic artifacts, ethnic sounds of Haitian music, view Haitian films and enjoy a collection of Haitian Literary works. By providing this platform as a linkage to Haitian Americans all over the Diaspora and educating the public about the phenomenal contributions that Haitian Americans made as a people, this will in turn create a legacy for the future generations of young Haitian Americans.

CLOAK : LOVE + HAITI event

2010-09-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

CLOAK launched their “LOVE + HAITI” collection at a multi-dimensional event benefiting the earthquake victims in Haiti.

The anticipated “LOVE + HAITI” event will combined fashion, music and art to create a mosaic of unity and love for the socially conscious fashionista. Since 2008, CLOAK has supported organizations focused on Haiti relief. With an unwavering passion to give back to the community, CLOAK raised the funds through donations collected for entry into the event and auctioned artwork to benefit Peacemakers’ Peace for Haiti – Earthquake Relief humanitarian effort, which is the perfect collaboration of several organizations coming together to provide urgent aid for Haiti. The event featured an edgy fashion exhibition. There were performances inspired by Haiti by artists such as: renowned Haitian spoken word artist and activist, Mecca aka Grimo, choreographer, Angela Lowe, and Jowee Omicil, multi-instrumentalist/composer/educator and surprise guests. Fine artist, Terrance Wilson did a live painting throughout the event and music was provided by Zack of Element DJs. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in an interactive painting.

Stay connected to the movement

2010-06-07T21:51:00.000-07:00

CLOAK Announces its annual CLEARANCE SALE!

2010-06-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

CLOAK YOUR DADDY!

2010-06-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

2010-04-29T00:01:00.001-07:00

5 Important lessons: Someone just sent this to me.

2010-04-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read
The last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times.. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely, " said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant... They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2 - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home A special note was attached.
It read:
"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.. because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's' bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies.. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway... Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts....
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

Most importantly.... "Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's watching."

Joww Omicil Performance at Love + Haiti

2010-04-19T18:11:00.001-07:00

Mecca aka Grimo "Haiti was born in me"

2010-04-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Mecca aka Grimo is a humble guy with great passion for Haitian culture. His signature statement, "I wasn't born in Haiti, Haiti was born in me," is a testament to his solidarity and love for Haiti. The very busy actor, poet, teacher, activist and mentor was kind enough to donate his time at the Love + Haiti event on April 10th. He performed a spoken word piece where he talked about his experience with growing up Haitian and the social struggles he had to endure in the process. He proudly proclaimed his Haitian roots and invited the audience to participate in a fun crash course in Creole. CLOAK salutes Mecca aka Grimo... Thanks for joining us in CLOAK'ing Haiti through Peacemaker's Peace for Haiti. Check him out on his myspace page.

The Jowee Omicil Experience

2010-04-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

Jowee Omicil, multi-instrumentalist/composer/educator, blessed us with his talent at the CLOAK Love+Haiti event this Saturday. He opened his set with a beautiful rendition of the Haitian National Anthem. He then went into an energetic yet smooth set where he invited the audience to participate. Jowee is a highly noted, respected, beloved and amazing talent. He graciously donated his time and talent to help our cause. We are so grateful to him and his manager Bernice. Check out his webpage: joweeomicil.com and his myspace page, buy his CDs and support this truly inspirational artist.

LOVE + HAITI

2010-03-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

Cloak Hosts Multi-Faceted Fashion Event For The Socially Conscious Fashionista 4/10/10

2010-03-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

Please join CLOAK Apparel, Inc. as they launch their exclusive collection, “CLOAK + LOVE.” The event will raise funds to benefit Peacemakers’ Peace for Haiti-Earthquake Relief humanitarian effort,which is the perfect collaboration of several organizations coming together to provide urgent aid for Haiti. The event will feature an edgy CLOAK fashion exhibition. Renowned Haitian spoken word artist and activist, Mecca aka Grimo; choreographer, Angela Lowe; Jowee Omicil, multi-instrumentalist/composer/educator and surprise guests will perform pieces inspired by Haitian culture. CLOAK creative director, Terrance Wilson will do a live painting throughout the event and music will be provided by Zack of Element DJs. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an interactive painting, which will be auctioned off to benefit Peace for Haiti.

WHAT:

CLOAK Apparel, Inc. will be launching their new collection “CLOAK+LOVE,” benefiting the earthquake victims in Haiti in a multi-faceted fashion event. The event will be a celebration of the beauty of Haitian culture and aims to raise funds for Peacemakers’ Peace for Haiti – Earthquake Relief humanitarian effort, which is the perfect collaboration of several organizations coming together to provide urgent aid for Haiti.

WHO:

The anticipated “CLOAK + LOVE” fashion event will combine fashion, music and art to create a mosaic of unity and love for the socially conscious fashionista. Since 2008, CLOAK has supported organizations focused on Haiti relief. With an unwavering passion to give back to the community, CLOAK will be raising the funds through donations collected for entry into the event and auctioned artwork to benefit Peacemakers’ Peace for Haiti – Earthquake Relief humanitarian effort, which is the perfect collaboration of several organizations coming together to provide urgent aid for Haiti. The event will feature an edgy fashion exhibition. Performances inspired by Haiti will from artists such as: renowned Haitian spoken word artist and activist, Mecca aka Grimo, choreographer, Angela Lowe, esteemed recording artist Jowee Omicil, and surprise guests. Fine artist, Terrance Wilson will be doing a live painting throughout the event and music will be provided by Zack of Element DJs. David D. Jaded will provide hair styling. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive painting which will be auctioned off to benefit Peace for Haiti. CLOAK will also promote their “Give One, Get One” campaign, which will donate one shirt for every shirt purchased from a select line for the Haiti initiative.

WHEN:

Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 7 p.m.

WHERE:

Moore Building in Design District
4040 N.E. 2nd Ave. Ste. 103
Miami, FL 33137

COST:

$10 will be collected for entry into the event of which 100% will be donated to
Peacemakers' Peace for Haiti, who will be on site at the event. Donation is not mandatory for press. MEDIA, PLEASE REGISTER AT PR@CLOAKINC.COM.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE YOUR $10 NOW.

HAITI CLEARED OF $709 MILLION IN DEBT!

2010-03-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

Late Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed the Haiti Debt Relief and Earthquake Recovery Act of 2010!

The passage comes a week after the US Senate approved the Haiti Recovery Act (S2961). Both bills will make sure that Haiti will receive debt cancellation fast.

Last month, thanks to advocacy around the world, G-7 finance ministers committed to cancel Haiti's $709 million in outstanding debts to the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and International Fund for Agricultural Development. Now it's just a matter of making sure they act quickly, which Congress is doing by using the influence of the United States in the financial institutions.

The passage of both bills shows that our leaders on both sides of the aisle can respond quickly when the call for justice is heard loud and clear.

Melinda St. Louis
Deputy Director, Jubilee USA

SUPPORTING LINKS:

http://caribbeanlifenews.com/articles/2010/03/08/news/national/caribbeanlife-cl_news_national-2010_03_08_nelson_haiti_debt_relief.txt

http://www.gop.gov/bill/111/2/hr4573

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h4573/show

BUSINESS OWNERS: OPPORTUNITY

2010-03-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

CLOAK in the process of planning its 2010 Spring Collection Launch event taking place on Saturday, April 10, 2010 during Art + Design Night in Miami Design District. Art + Design Night takes place monthly (every second Saturday). The night attracts Miami's cultural consumers who are both social and ecologically conscious. The night's demographics range from young, trendy professionals to wealthy, mature art and fashion connoisseurs. Well over 4000 individuals gravitate to this area to get a taste of the "newest" and "hottest" in the design + fashion world.

Dacra Realty has generously donated a space for us to showcase our collection inspired by the resilience of the Haitian people. With the help of our PR and Marketing team, we will launch a campaign to get the word out effectively to a target audience that generates a high energy and productive night.

CLOAK 's heart is to help those in need. We have been an advocate for Haiti since 2008. After careful consideration, CLOAK has chosen, Peace for Haiti, as its beneficiary organization for this launch event. The Peace for Haiti Earthquake Relief humanitarian effort is the perfect collaboration of several organizations coming to the urgent aid of the tragedy-stricken island. Since the tragic earthquakes of January 2010, they have served well over 3 million meals to the affected residence.

Space is available on a first-come, first service basis.

If you are interested please contact us by March 25th at info@cloakinc.com.

Commercial flights to Haiti to resume Friday

2010-02-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

(CNN) -- American Airlines announced Tuesday it will resume commercial flights into Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Friday, making it the first airline to do so.

Commercial flights ended on January 12, when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake killed more than 200,000 people and damaged many of the country's buildings, including some at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, in the capital.

The first flight will depart Miami International Airport in Florida at 6:40 a.m., arriving at 8:35 a.m. in Port-au-Prince, American Airlines said in a news release.

"This is that crack in the dam that we so badly needed and our passengers so badly wanted, to start moving regularly scheduled traffic into and out of Haiti," spokesman Tim Smith told CNN Radio.

"We'll start out with three main flights a day from south Florida, two from Miami and one from Fort Lauderdale. Then we'll also fly a JFK New York flight into Haiti four days a week."

Smith said that, despite damage to the airport, the airline was prepared to deal with passengers.

"One of the things we did very soon after the earthquake is that, as we were going in carrying relief supplies, we also sent in some American employees and folks from a construction firm that we worked with on the mainland to actually begin working to repair our facilities there at the Port-au-Prince terminal."

Haitian customs officials will work out of a cargo facility because of damage at the main terminal, Smith said.

"These flights serve as major milestones toward helping the country rebuild," Peter Dolara, American's senior vice president for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, said in the news release.

"With commercial air service restored, we can better connect loved ones and provide consistent transportation to and from Haiti."

Also beginning March 12, American Eagle will commence new service into Port-au-Prince from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and daily flights from the Dominican Republic cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago.

"We have begun our journey to recover from the catastrophic earthquake, but with support from companies like American Airlines, we hope it won't be nearly as long," said Ralph Latortue, consul general of Haiti in Florida.

American has served Haiti since 1971 and employs more than 100 people in Port-au-Prince, according to the airline.

Since the day after the earthquake, American Airlines and American Eagle have continued flying into and out of Haiti -- carrying relief workers, medical personnel, humanitarian aid and evacuating hundreds of people.

A spokeswoman for Spirit Airlines, which had a daily flight from Fort Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince, said the company was working to gain approval to resume its flights beginning Friday.

"We're awaiting the response from the airport," said spokeswoman Misty Pinson.

A spokesman for Delta Air Lines said it was working with Haitian authorities to reinstate service "as quickly as possible."

The work on the American Airlines terminal was carried out by Odebrecht, a Sao Paulo, Brazil-based construction company that built American's terminal at Miami International Airport, said spokeswoman Renata Pinheiro.

A cargo building that was undamaged by the earthquake was transformed into a terminal, and immigration and customs services were located there, she said.

A terminal that suffered only minor damaged was fixed. "It wasn't a reconstruction of the airport itself, it was really making it operational," she said about the effort.

The company's workforce of 75 included 30 Haitian baggage handlers who "became construction helpers," she said. "Odebrecht's people trained them to do welding and painting. The really cool thing that we're super happy about is the fact that the whole thing came about in just three weeks."

Among the toughest challenges was finding construction supplies, the company said in a news release. Odebrecht solved that by obtaining materials in Puerto Rico and sending them by barge to the Dominican Republic, then moving them by truck to the Haitian capital.

"This has been a genuine labor of love, but also one of absolute commitment," said Antonio Pinto, Odebrecht's project executive in Haiti. "In the most basic human terms, it is essential to reopen this airport and to reconnect the people of Haiti with their families and friends abroad."

The company's other projects include rebuilding and fortifying levees in New Orleans, Louisiana, under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Bergeron Emergency Services is hiring:

2010-02-11T07:06:00.000-08:00

Bergeron Emergency Services is hiring for the following positions for work in assisting our neighbors in Haiti:

Supervisors - Project Managers - Heavy Equipment Operators
To perform demolotion and debris removal in Haiti. Must have experience on Backhoe, Trackhoe, Dozer, Loader.

We will provide:
-All living facilitities
-Transportation
-Food
-Immunizations
-Excellent salary
-24-hour onsite security

Passport is required. Ability to pass criminal background check and drug test. Working conditions will include travel by boat, close quarters with fellow employees, long work days. Long term, serious commitment required (6 months minimum).

Send resume to: margie@bergeroninc.com or fax to 954-680-6750 or apply in person at the Bergeron offices at Sheridan Street and 196th Avenue in Pembroke Pines .
--
Rev. Linda P. Freeman, M.S.
Executive Director
Peacemaker Family Center , Trinity Church
www.peacemakers.com
(786) 888-4777 (phone)
(786) 787-2781 (fax)
(954) 562-8638 (cell)
lfreeman@peacemakers.com

PAID JOBS AVILABLE TO HELP HAITI

2010-02-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

Maybe you know someone that would love to go. Please pass this on, read below.

ACET, Inc. has received an immediate request to provide assistance to the devastation from the recent earthquake that has befallen the nation of Haiti . We are looking for anyone interested in going to Haiti to help for a 3- 6 month period. There are no particular skills sets defined at this point, except the willingness to help wherever
needed. We will be presenting folks and highlighting their unique skills and trade qualifications, so if the opportunity to help in your area exists - it will be noted and presented. As you can well imagine, any skill that you may have - can be of great help.

Typical skill sets needed:

> Carpenters
> Masons
> Electricians
> Medical Personnel
> Communications
> Builders
> Heavy Equipment Operators
> Plumbers
> Logistics
> Etc.

THIS IS NOT A VOLUNTEER REQUEST - you will be paid for the work you do. This is a temporary employment assignment that will include travel, expenses, remuneration with an understanding that housing accommodations will be very basic. All that is needed at this point is a passport or ability to obtain one ASAP.

If you are seriously interested or know of someone who would be interested - please email me back ASAP or forward this email, and I will provide more details for you at that time.

This is a unique opportunity to make a difference to the people of Haiti !

Onekqua Beverly
Corporate Recruiter/Security Specialist ACET, Inc.
301-861-5023 (Office)
301-885-3199 (Fax)
otbeverly@adamscomm.com
www.adamscomm.com

BRAIN+STORM (Thoughts from our team)

2010-01-29T16:40:00.001-08:00

I've asked our Fashion & Branding Director, Johanne Wilson, to write about the on-going crisis in Haiti. She is of Haitian descent and her voice addresses the heart of the crisis. Also included in this edition of the newsletter are some resources that will help you in your search to help. Highlighted is Peacemakers, the organization we have chosen as the beneficiary for our upcoming Spring 2010 Launch Event taking place this April.

Let us all continue make a positive impact through our acts of love by continuing to give.

Stay Positive +
Ebonie M. Mukasa
CEO & Founder, CLOAK INC

"Going through difficult times prepares you to fulfill your purpose & destiny."
(Derived by: A melange of excerpts, authors and writers.)

It has been 3 weeks since the earthquake in Haiti. Graphic images have painted our television and computer screens. There have been so many stories of devastation countered with stories of hope. As media coverage begins to slow down, it is important that those images and stories not be forgotten as they can remind us that there are people still in need. As the recovery phase goes underway, there will be a clearer picture of what is needed to help repair the nation of Haiti.

It is interesting that the media has covered so many stories demonstrating the resilience of the Haitian people. These are a people that have survived one of the most devastating natural disasters in history. There have been many miraculous stories of people defying the laws of science. People have been found alive amid the rubble after what science called an impossibility of survival. We have seen an outpouring of giving from people all of the world. Rescue workers have gone above and beyond to save the lives of people they have never met. Against the order of the established government, some have even gone ahead and successfully continued search and rescue efforts.

Its is my belief that the resilience of the Haitian people is really rubbing off on volunteer workers, medical professionals, military officials and rescue workers that are currently serving in Haiti and their hopefulness is teaching the world to be thankful. Although the people of Haiti will continue to endure hardships as the recovery period continues, I am reassured that they will be able to come out on the other side better and stronger than ever before.

I wonder why "they" (whoever "they" are) don't give names to earthquakes like they do to hurricanes and storms. If I could be the one that named this earthquake, I would call it: "Espoire" (the French/Creole world for hope).

With Love,
Johanne Wilson
CLOAK Fashion & Branding Director

CLOAK + VH1 Save the Music Foundation

2010-01-07T09:41:00.000-08:00

CLOAK is a proud participant in the VH1 Big Shopping Event.
Profits from CLOAK items purchased were donated to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

SHOP CLOAK HOLIDAY SALE

2009-12-17T11:08:00.001-08:00

VH1 Save the Music Celebs get CLOAK'ed

2009-12-04T14:06:00.000-08:00

Miss Jay Alexander with CLOAK representatives: Aurelia & Yinka

Katherane McPhee (American Idol)

Max Ehrich (High School Musical

Nigel Barker (Top model)

(Erin Lucas, The City)

CLOAK Partners with VH1 Save the Music

2009-11-30T20:08:00.001-08:00

CYBER MONDAY SALE

2009-11-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

GOGO SALE CONTINUES FOR CYBER MONDAY

2009-11-30T08:59:00.001-08:00

2009-11-24T13:53:00.000-08:00

Introducing CLOAK "ONE"

2009-10-22T09:35:00.001-07:00

CLOAK Releases the new ECO-Hoody... see more new pieces at cloakinc.com

2009-10-22T05:03:00.000-07:00

The CLOAK ONE Collection:

Inspired by Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." It is about the beginning of time, our relationship with the environment and the innate responsibility that we all have to take care of it. We are part of the earth-created from it and from it we depart. We are man, woman, child, all connected by the creator.
We are ONE.

This eco-friendly hoodie and more are now available at cloakinc.com.

Eco-Trendy Under the Stars: CLOAK Goes green with the CLOAK ONE Collection

2009-10-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

Cloak - Fashion Show South Beach from matt weichel on Vimeo.

Eco-Trendy Under the Stars : FASHION EVENT

2009-09-21T20:37:00.001-07:00

CLOAK Apparel Inc will be hosting the “Eco-Trendy Under the Stars” fashion show on Wednesday September 30th at 9:00 pm, at the chic Plunge Lounge in the Gansevoort South Hotel, 2399 Collins Ave , Miami Beach, Florida.

CLOAK will launch their exclusive Fall 2009 collection, an “Eco-Trendy” extension of their brand, produced by Squeegee Science (squeegeescience.com). CLOAK (www.cloakinc.com) will share the spotlight with local fashion designers: Ombu Lifestyle (www.ombulifestyle.com), Celestial Designs (www.celestialdesigns.net), Bottary (zhibit.org/bottary), My Obessession and Puresa Organics (puresaorganics.com).

These fashion designers, handpicked by the CLOAK management team, use environmentally friendly materials to create their pieces, or are involved in socially conscious projects where proceeds from their products go directly to charity. CLOAK is partnering with these inspirational designers to create cool, everyday looks for the conscious fashionista.

The event will feature a runway show, designer boutiques for buyers & patrons to view and purchase products, complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served courtesy of STK Restaurant, and a signature cocktail inspired by CLOAK and created by the Gansevoort South Hotel mixologist. This event is sponsored by The One Group, in association with STK Restaurant and Roberto Cavalli, as part of their Fashion Wednesdays event series. Event management by Ol Models and hair by David D. Jaded of Qiu Salon.

CLOAK donates a portion of its proceeds to trusted non-government organizations that support Haitian relief. The high level of child malnutrition and child mortality rate in Haiti is “alarming” according to the IFPRI Global Hunger Index, and 80% of the nation still lives on less than $2 per day. Haiti needs all the help the world and its people can provide. In a prior endeavor to bring aid and enhance the lives of people living in Haiti , CLOAK donated 100% of its proceeds from their “Positivity Moves” limited edition t-shirt collection to charities dedicated to improving the lives of people living in Haiti .

Continuing their mission to promote hope and inspiration through fashion, CLOAK will be donating 10% of all sales from the new Eco-Trendy line to benefit Haitian relief through FONKOZE (fonkoze.org), Haiti ’s largest bank for the organized poor.

“We believe that we can use CLOAK to bring awareness and help support good causes around the world,” says Ebonie Mukasa, CEO and founder of CLOAK Apparel Inc.

This event is free to attend. Please RSVP at: info@cloakinc.com. Please check cloakinc.com on September 30th for “in case of rain” information.

For more information contact: Johanne Wilson, Branding & Design Director
Mobile: (917) 837-5853 E-mail: jpwilson@cloakinc.com

ARTIST IN FOCUS

2009-09-11T09:02:00.001-07:00

Terrance Wilson is the Executive Creative Director of CLOAK Apparel Inc. Terrance became an award-winning artist at a young age. He then went on to study at the prestigious Maryland Institute College of Arts where he obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Illustration and digital media. Terrance’s hand can most clearly be seen in CLOAK’s
latest collection, TATÚ. He describes this collection as “wearable art”, he also said that he is exposing his very thoughts and feeling onto pieces of clothing that you live in everyday.

The greatest thing about Terrance is his heart and passion to help people, especially young people. He currently leads a youth program (supported by Peacemakers) where teens get: emotional support, financial support (on a case by case basis), relationship development education, counseling, career related guidance and activities like dance, step, spoken-word, art and singing lessons.

Terrance is a man of many talents with a big heart. He does everything with passion and purpose. I once asked him how he’s able to do everything he does so well. He said, “When I am asked to do something, even if I don’t know how at the time, I say yes and just figure it out. I never limit myself. I live by the common phrase that you can do anything you put your mind to because it’s so true.” Through his refusal to limit himself, he has acquired so many new skills. “It all started with art and now it is so much more. My life is dedicated to using all of my skills to help people in need,” explains Terrance. “CLOAK is the cornerstone of my life’s mission. CLOAK is the means by which patrons can participate in helping others.”

Terrance is an inspiration to us all.

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS & SELL YOUR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES

2009-08-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

Do you or any of your friends:

- Have a business
- Have a business on the side
- Want to sell or display their products or service
- Want to network
- Work for a non-profit agency or have one
- Want to advertise or promote their business or services

Hairdressers, mechanics, legal services, consultants, Mary Kay or others similar to that, real estate agents, cell phone salesmen, artists, art gallery owners, a recording artists, restaurant owners, bakeries, models... ANYONE that wants to promote or sell anything!

CLOAK is now offering ADVERTISING SPACE (starting at $75) and VENDOR SPACE($100). Contact us at: info@cloakinc.com for details and to secure your spot.

ART & DESIGN NIGHT in WYNWOOD

2009-08-05T10:54:00.001-07:00

Stop by the Wynwood Social Club for the hottest event during Art & Design night in Miami. CLOAK is one of the featured designers at the Art & Design Market and Lounge.
August 8th and every 2nd Saturday of every month thereafter. Enjoy free app's, bevies and one-of-a-kind shopping in the salon from 4-midnight. Get there early to get first dibs on everything.

CLOAK is a featured designer at the event. Stop by and we'll give you a $5 off coupon towards a CLOAK pruchase of $25 or more.

CLOAK Rocked the Runway at Rendevous Compel Night

2009-08-03T11:53:00.001-07:00

CLOAK was the feature designer at the Rendevous Compel night 5.
New pieces were featured as live band: Dinner and a Suit rocked out on the main stage.

These pieces are now available at: cloakinc.com. For questions or if you don't see an item that is featured on the runway, contact us at info@cloakinc.com.

+ Positivity Moves +

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2009-07-02T08:48:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2009

Miami – THE ART & DESIGN MARKET & LOUNGE OF WYNWOOD launches July 11 at the Wynwood Social Club (and will run each 2^nd Saturday/monthly). Admission to The Market is free from 1pm-5pm – then from 5pm-9pm The Art & Design Lounge opens with complimentary bar sponsored by Grolsch and Hpnotiq, light bites, live music – and of course – shopping! Admission to The Lounge is only $10 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Fonkoze, a very worthy charity.

THE ART & DESIGN MARKET & LOUNGE OF WYNWOOD will offer the opportunity to shop, drink and mingle with local designers, artists and musicians. The Market believes in taking a transitional approach to mixing the new with the classic, and has created a venue where people shop a mix of eco-friendly vendors like GREEN VERANDA, GI AND PINDO and retro furnishings from MOD ROB FOR URBAN GARDEN with designers in the forefront of Miami’s fashion scene such as KRELWEAR, TRICIA FIX, CLOAK and contemporary Italian furniture from imoderni.

THE ART & DESIGN MARKET & LOUNGE OF WYNWOOD founders Alexis Mclean and Arlene Weiss bring their combined 30+ years in music, fashion, art and film to create a new cultural “happening” in Wynwood each month. The vision of The Market morphed into an outlet for artists, designers and musicians and as a place for art and commerce, all while supporting our Miami arts community that has claimed it’s rightful place in the art world. “We both feel it is imperative that this creative community join forces to support each other and give back at the same time - thus the idea for a featured charity each month. As a young artist once told me, ‘We must participate in creating a vehicle for expression as it automatically creates energy’ -that is the best idea for a stimulus package that I could think of!,” Arlene Weiss

ART & DESIGN MARKET & LOUNGE OF WYNWOOD will feature many unique designers, artists, galleries and businesses including: Cloak Inc., BellaSkin Inc, Gabriel and Anat Vanessa Ichak Design Studio, KRELwear, Sweat Records, imoderni, Naerik Jewelry, Candy Woolley, Designed by Diana, Green Veranda, Gi and Pindo, Mod Rob for Urban Garden, The Tricia Fix Collection, Oyla Melinkaova, Carla Fache, Belinda Scoot of Befeathers, Gianfranco and Guliano Cavallo, and more.

The Art & Design Lounge:

Patrons visiting The Market can expect amazing shopping starting at 1pm, and then at 5pm, The Market will morph into The Art & Design Lounge – a Lounge & shopping experience with live music by DJ Ben Shaul and a live performance from by Fabian Hernandez and Fenevia. In the lounge guests enjoy complimentary food and drinks from Grolsch and Hpnotiq. Admission to the lounge is only $10 and portion of the proceeds go to Fonkoze.

Fonkoze is Haiti’s largest Microfinance organization dedicated to building the economic foundations for democracy in Haiti by providing rural poor with tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

THE ART & DESIGN MARKET & LOUNGE OF WYNWOOD will be held monthly at Wynwood Social Club, 2501 NW 2^nd Ave, Miami, FL from 1pm – 9pm, second Saturday of each month.

For press inquiries, please contact Brian Long at MrLong@bl-pr.com or 917-294-7370 or for vendor or market information please visit www.artandesignmarket.com.

Own a piece of Original Art for just $25 and help save lives!

2009-06-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

Own a piece of Original Art for just
$25 and help save lives!

Order your limited edition TATU Poster - the original
hand drawn "Lion' design by artist, Terrance Wilson.
Be one of the few to own a CLOAK collector's item.
Only 500 of these posters exist in the world.

Terrance Wilson will personally sign your poster
and it will be promptly shipped to you.
Valued at $175. You can own an original print for
just $25.

50% of the profits from the sale of these
limited edition prints will be donated to FONKOZE.

CLOAK is committed to doing what ever we have
To help Haiti. Hurricane season is underway, these funds
are urgently needed. CLOAK is literally giving these
prints away in order to raise the funds needed to help.
Participate in the solution, please order your print today.

HOT NEW RELEASE!!!! CLOAK™ Custom Painted Kicks!

2009-06-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

Order your custom pair of Converse® exclusively painted by artist, Terrance Wilson, at cloakinc.com. Be the first and only person EVER to have your one-of-a-kind custom painted kicks! Once you place your order, we will contact you to get to know a little but about you. Based on what you tell us, a pair of Classic Converse will be designed and painted just for you. Order a pair for yourself or as a gift for someone special. CLOAK™ Custom Kicks will have you walking in one-of-a-kind style.

What have we been up to?

2009-05-14T20:52:00.000-07:00

We've been really busy doing a lot of fun events and PR opp's.

At the beginning of our forming this company, we made it clear to each other that we wanted to stay connected with people. We never want to be the ghost corporation that no one ever sees.

CLOAK is all about transforming negative surroundings into Positive Spaces.™

Stay connected to learn more...

In the meantime, check out our calendar to see where we'll be over the next few weeks.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO ON SATURDAY?

2009-05-01T09:12:00.001-07:00

Looking for something to do on Saturday?

Go to the Cinco de MiMo Street Festival!

There are many mini events going during the festival. One of them is STYLE MIAMI.

CLOAK is one of the sponsors of: STYLE MIAMI hosted by B² events & Upper Eastside Garden. Includes refreshments and food from Jason Hedges’ who will be cooking in a revolutionary Triple Vertical chamber smoker! Smoked BBQ and veggie delights are on the menu! FREE goodie bags & a very cool mini golf course!!

Where is all of this happening?!!!!
Upper Eastside Garden 7244 Biscayne -
$5 cover
Noon - 6pm

CLOAK-ing + HAITI

2009-04-24T07:59:00.001-07:00

David (pictured) gave his CLOAK tee to one of his soccer player team mates from the Mission of Hope Orphanage : )
That's what its all about, CLOAK-ing others!
David is currently in Haiti on a missions trip.

Fashionistas got a dose of Art at the TATÚ Launch Event

2009-04-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

TATÚ is an infrastructure of images and messages throughout. A web of intricate details, it represents the inner workings of

CLOAK. It's technical and organic. Each section is made with fluid precision and has many layers to uncover. Forms morph into each other to create a larger form.

It's like a continuous dream. There is no beginning and no end. Each section tells a different story and the whole image is the artists inner thoughts on display. The TATÚ illustrations were created by Miami-based artist and CLOAK Creative Director: Terrance Wilson. Terrance has put his soul into each of these drawings.

The TATÚ collection is where art meets fashion.

On April 11th, CLOAK launched the TATÚ Collection at a fashion/art exhibition during Art + Design Night in the Miami Design District. Local fashionistas really got to see the work of the CLOAK creative team brought to life. The idea of the exhibition started as a dream and it was a surreal experience to actually see it in the real world.

This was truly an event where fine art and fashion came together. It was an amazing experience and we cant wait until the next collection launch event!

Shop the TATÚ Collection at cloakinc.com.
Wholesale/Buyers please contact us at info@cloakinc.com.
Emails are immediately addressed.

INTRODUCING THE SPRING COLLECTION: TATÚ... WEARABLE ART

2009-04-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

SOUND TRACK FOR THE TATÜ COLLECTION FASHION SHOW

2009-04-13T10:49:00.001-07:00

So many people have been asking for the information on the song we used during the live model fashion show.

CLOAK + Paul Mitchell Hi Tech Fashion Show

2009-03-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

FASHION SHOW COLLABORATION W/ RAGAMUFYN

2009-03-22T19:38:00.001-07:00

CLOAK + Fashion Show

2009-03-21T13:22:00.001-07:00

CLOAK Inc. was a feature designer at Paul Mitchell Hi-Tech Fashion Show at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL.
Special thanks to RAGGAMUFYN ( http://www.ragamufyn.com/) and BALA shoes (bala.fr) for partnering with CLOAK on the show.

ART + FASHION MERGE AT THE CLOAK SPRING COLLECTION LAUNCH EVENT

2009-03-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

RSVP at info@cloakinc.com

U.S. will continue to deport Haitians

2009-03-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Old request. New administration. Same answer.

Days after President Barack Obama's inauguration, advocates wrote to him and the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, asking that they stop deporting undocumented Haitians and allow those already here to stay legally.

The answer arrived Tuesday: No, for now.

"At this time, DHS intends to continue to coordinate the removal of Haitian nationals to Haiti," wrote Susan Cullen, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Policy and Planning.

While the first official response from the new administration disappointed immigrant advocates, they still hope Obama will alter course. They pledge to keep pushing him and his appointees.

To that end, members of the South Florida Congressional delegation plan to meet with DHS officials Tuesday to continue an "education process," one aide said.

"We obviously have seen that this issue has not moved forward," said Lale Mamaux, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar.

Hastings and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, have had recent talks with Obama and his top officials about the issue, aides said.

"They're bright people. They're fair people," said Randy McGrorty, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Legal Services in Miami. "I remain optimistic the policy will change once they understand the need for change."

Said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigration Advocacy Center: "We were advised that the intent was not to deny our request. It's still under consideration. But time is of the essence."

In her letter, Cullen said since 2004 the U.S. has given $400 million to Haiti in assistance, including disaster relief. But she didn't explain the decision to continue deportations.

Advocates and congressional leaders have been asking the government to grant Haitians protected status for years. Those calls increased after four tropical storms ravaged the island nation last summer.

In September, ICE halted deportations to Haiti, raising advocates' expectations. But the agency resumed them in early December. Since then, many in the Haitian community have turned their attention to swaying Obama.

Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, which advocates for tighter immigration controls, said advocates should set benchmarks for when Haitians granted protected status would go back. In other cases, the designation has been extended for years.

"I think the Haitians are victims of the people who have abused TPS," Beck said.

Staff Writer Georgia East contributed to this report.

Luis F. Perez can be reached at lfperez@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4553.

Haiti policy statement for President Obama and Congress

2009-02-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

by Marguerite Laurent, Esq., president, Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network

The issues for development of the Southern Hemispheric nations are very similar. As in Africa, Haiti has been ravaged by neocolonialism and its attendant power grabs through the tools of endless debt to the former colonial powers, their plundering of resources, and unfair trade that promotes famine and dependency. The U.S. Congress and new U.S. president should support the institutionalization of the rule of law, human rights, workers’ rights and food sovereignty and stop supporting global corporate interests that promote coups d’etat, instability, financial colonialism and containment-in-poverty. Ideology of all sorts, including “democracy,” “neo-liberalism,” “free trade,” “globalization” and all such “privatization” schemes ought not to be more important than the welfare of humanity, peaceful co-existence, environmental protection and the future survival of humanity and Planet Earth.

Haitian-Americans are working for change on the following priorities and urge President Obama and the new U.S. Congress to incorporate them into a more effective foreign policy that centers on promoting sustainable development, self-sufficiency, and a sovereign, prosperous and stable Haiti.
Haitian-American priorities

1. Grant TPS to Haitians

Stop the United States’ unequal immigration treatment of Haitian refugees, grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and work permits to Haitian nationals in the U.S. with a specification to stop all deportations until Haiti has recovered from the ravages of hurricanes, floods and instability. Haitians in the United States should receive equal treatment and protection under all the immigration laws. Four tropical storms and hurricanes battered Haiti during last year’s harvest season, killing almost 1,000 people nationwide, decimating Haiti’s agriculture and causing $1 billion in damage to irrigation, bridges and roads. Haiti qualifies for Temporary Protected Status and should be granted this disaster relief.

But the U.S. has never granted Haitians TPS, which permits short-term residency to nationals from countries that are enduring political or environmental turbulence. In 2002 the Bush administration renewed TPS for Nicaraguan and Honduran immigrants owing to Hurricane Mitch in 1998. At this point, Haiti is in much worse shape than Central Americans were at the time. The damage in Haiti is worse than three times the damage left after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. In Haiti, mudslides still cover entire towns. Houses are flooded. Schools have collapsed on children and people are starving. It’s inhumane to deport Haitians back to Haiti under these devastating conditions, where they will find no home, no employment, no food, no personal safety and security.

2. End the UN military occupation

The U.N. troops in Haiti are paid $601.58 million per year and have been in Haiti for four years. That is $50.13 million per month, $1.64 million per day. Yet, during the recent floods and hurricane season in Haiti, the Haitian president had to call for help from the international community. Wasn’t that help already in Haiti, to the tune of 9,000 U.N. - MINUSTAH - troops already cashing in $1.64 million per day? Why are they there, if incapable of providing emergency help? If they had not one amphibious unit or temporary bridge, no caravan of trucks or equipment to reach Haitians in distress, what use are they to the people of Haiti? Are their war tanks, heavy artillery, guns and military presence in Haiti making Haitians more secure, more safe, more free, more prosperous, better nourished, educated and healthier than before they landed four years ago? No.

End the U.N. military occupation. Haiti needs development, infrastructure assistance, poverty reduction assistance and tractors - not tanks and guns. Community policing, not war soldiers.

3. Cancel immediately and without conditions all Haiti debt to international financial institutions, including old Duvalier-dictatorship debts

Haiti is suffering famine, the repercussions of the 2004 U.S.-supported coup d’etat and the ravages of the greatest natural disaster in remembered history, three times greater than the Katrina damage. Yet, instead of using its resources to provide relief for its people, Haiti is forced to pay out in excess of $1 million per month to foreign banks.

4. Begin reciprocal trade

Stop failed policies and trading through the U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.AID), churches and predator NGOs. A great portion of food aid from such entities does not reach the intended beneficiaries in Haiti and instead ends up for sale in the marketplace. Start fair trading with Haiti and supporting grassroots, indigenous Haiti capacity building organizations. U.S. AID denies Haitian sovereignty and progress by blocking, declining and subverting any direct assistance to empower the Haitian government while engineering so that the majority of Haiti’s national budget - provided by the international community as a consequence of the 2004 Bush-U.S.AID regime change - is currently managed by its approved non-governmental organizations. For instance, some 800 NGOs control part of the budget, thoroughly undermining the state’s ability to deal with the famine and food crisis.

Direct that the U.S. re-orientate its resource allocation to Haiti to trade with the Haitian government, not, in effect, with U.S.AID, foreign NGOs, churches and charities in the name of Haitians. For this U.S. foreign policy effectively forms a shadow government enchaining Haiti that undermines Haiti’s sovereignty, emboldens and empowers NGOs with no public responsibility or accountability to Haitians or Haiti’s long term well-being.

It is in the best interest of the United States to directly support Haitian democracy, good governance, development, self-reliance and self-sufficiency. This cannot be done if the Haitian government has to compete with foreign funded NGOs and charities that are not elected or accountable to the people of Haiti, but are predatory and promoting dependency and their own organizations’ interests for self-perpetuation in Haiti.

To effectively support grassroots, indigenous Haiti capacity building organizations, the U.S. Congress must demand greater fiscal accountability, transparency and quantifiable evidence of sustainable development achievements, from reform projects designed, supervised and financed through U.S.AID and their subcontractors, corporate consultants and charity workers using federal funds in Haiti. And, in particular, these new Haiti foreign assistance guidelines should ensure that food and other aid actually reaches its intended beneficiaries and does not end up for sale in the open market or stay in Washington or be used in Haiti mostly on administrative salaries, fees and expenses for U.S.AID’s political benefactors, shipping companies and nonprofits.

5. Void grossly unfair free trade deals

Stop grossly unfair free trade deals and ineffective initiatives such as the Caribbean Basin Initiative Investment Support (OPIC) or the Special Export Zones (SEZ) under the Hope Act, which bans trade unions to protect workers’ rights, or other such agreements - pummeling, bullying and beating Haiti into the dust of misery, debt and poverty. And, instead, support Haitian food production and domestic manufacturing, job creation, public works projects, sustainable development and a good working culture that values human rights. After the storm emergency, calibrate food aid so to assist and not further destroy Haiti’s food production.

Support post storm rebuilding and reconstruction of environmentally degraded areas. Invest in Haitian-led projects to built flood barriers and better drainage as in La Gonave; support food sovereignty, energy and reforestation, such as planting of fruit trees for food, capital building and trade and use of indigenous Haiti plants, such as Jatropha, for biofuel energy. In the process of providing crisis assistance, the U.S. must promote Haitian self-reliance wherever possible instead of the cycle of dependency. For instance, instead of water purification tablets, add also, whenever possible, the more long term and permanent bio-sand filters apparatus that will last forever and purify toxic water on a continual, not just a one-time basis.

6. Support the institutionalization of the rule of law

The new U.S. Congress and president should support the institutionalization of Haitian laws, not “democracy enhancement” projects through U.S. AID, IRI or NED that promote coups d’etat, instability and financial colonialism and containment-in-poverty in Haiti through neo-liberalism - “free trade,” “globalization” and other such “privatization” schemes.

Every time the United States supports the destabilization of a duly elected government, it visits enormous economic pressures and political turmoil upon Haiti. The turmoil and pressures undermine Haitian justice, participatory democracy, self sufficiency, sovereignty and self-determination and promote insecurity, debt, dependency, foreign domination, injustice, a rise in fleeing refugees and a structural containment-in-poverty. This instability has widespread and deep and disturbing repercussions. It keeps Haiti underdeveloped, dependent and contained-in-poverty.

7. Encourage maximum leveraging of Diaspora remittances

The Haitian Diaspora invests $2 billion per year in Haiti. That investment is destroyed, diluted and undermined when it must be used to bury family members killed in political turmoil or kidnapped in the chaos of anarchy and instability that follows coups d’etat or to move and help rebuild the family of a relative or friend traumatized by the U.N. soldiers’ rapes, molestation, arbitrary detention and indefinite incarcerations of their children, relatives and friends in Haiti. Instead, families should be able to use those funds to buy books for their children and relatives to go to school, supplies to carry out a viable family business or seeds to plant next year’s harvest, or to invest remittances in Haiti’s tourism, schools, reforestation, agriculture, road construction, flood barriers, communication, energy, sanitation or health needs. Moreover, when the U.S. deports an income earner to storm-ravaged and starving Haiti, this decreases remittances and further impoverishes family members who depended on the remittances from family members abroad. Diaspora remittances are the most effective and direct aid to the Haitian poor in Haiti.
Conclusion

The Obama candidacy promised change and a return to the rule of law and diplomacy as opposed to U.S. pre-emptive strikes, war, terror and torture to attain perceived U.S. foreign policy interests in the world. Candidate Obama promised human rights, workers’ rights, environmental protection and reciprocal trade. To grant Haitians TPS, end the U.N. military occupation, assist Haiti with poverty reduction, domestic agricultural investments and community policing, and cancel unfair debt to international financial institutions - all those initiatives would support stability and participatory democracy, stop the flow of refugees and illegal immigration and meet the policy interests of the United States.

For further information, see the complete policy statement at “What Haitian Americans Ask of the New U.S. Congress and President.”

Marguerite “Ezili Danto” Laurent, Esq.
Marguerite “Ezili Danto” Laurent, Esq.
Marguerite Laurent, an activist attorney, award winning playwright, performance poet, dancer and actor born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, founded and chairs the Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network, supporting and working cooperatively with Haitian grassroots organizations promoting the civil, human and cultural rights of Haitians at home and abroad. Visit her website at www.margueritelaurent.com or email erzilidanto@yahoo.com.

Haiti: World Bank Approves US$10 Million Grant to Help the Government to Respond to the Food Price Crisis

2009-02-04T07:11:00.000-08:00

Available in: Español, Français
Press Release No:2008/336/LCR

Contacts

In Washington: Alejandro Cedeño (202) 473-3477

acedeno@worldbank.org

Patricia da Camara (202) 473-4019

pdacamara@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2008 – The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a US$10 million grant for the Republic of Haiti to help the Government respond to the food price crisis and help it continue with the implementation of its poverty reduction strategy.

The grant is part of the Fast-Track Facility for Food Crisis launched by the World Bank today, which would support global efforts to overcome the global food crisis with a new US$1.2 billion rapid financing facility, including US$200 million in grants targeted at the vulnerable in the world’s poorest countries.

”This grant will support the Government’s program aimed at maintaining gains in macroeconomic stability,” said Yvonne Tsikata, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. “The World Bank grant complements the efforts of other international development partners, with whom we are coordinating, while supporting the Government’s efforts to put in place a better safety net system that improves Haiti’s resilience and response to shocks.”

The aim of the grant is to safeguard the Government’s ongoing reform and poverty reduction program--which the World Bank is supporting through the Economic Governance Reform Operation series--by helping to partially fill the unanticipated financing gap created by the food price crisis. The food crisis has put pressure on the state to increase its expenditures on social assistance, directly (through school feeding programs, mother-child programs, and labor intensive public works) and indirectly (through subsidies on food commodities, such as rice).

Soaring food prices hit the poor especially hard because they spend a large percentage of their income to feed themselves. In Haiti, the prices of rice, corn, beans, cooking oil and other foodstuffs have increased significantly since late 2007. Food inflation increased from 6.4 percent in July 2007 to 20.8 percent in April 2008, while overall inflation rose to 16.5 percent in April 2008. This jump was explained by higher prices for food, fuel, and public transportation.

The protection and subsidization of the production of grains for biofuels, the increased costs of diesel fuel and fertilizer, and bad weather in traditionally big food production regions have been among the factors triggering the world-wide food price increases. In addition to global factors, food prices have also risen in Haiti because of hurricanes and flooding in the latter part of 2007, which considerably damaged the agricultural sector.

In addition to this grant, the World Bank will also contribute to the Haitian Government’s efforts to address the crisis by extending the school feeding program underway through the Education for All Project. The program will be adapted to cover 15,000 children over the summer break and to expand coverage of the program to approximately 45,000 in the new school year starting September 2008. The Bank will also provide technical assistance to the Government to develop medium-term solution towards improved agricultural productivity, risk management, and a well functioning social safety net.

Since 2005, the World Bank has provided approximately US$220 million in grants in support to Haiti.

NEW COLLECTION PREVIEW

2009-02-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Our most anticipated collection is on the way! PRE-ORDER

your TATU Collection piece today. CLOAK tees are limited

edition to ensure that you have a unique piece of wearable

artwork. These will go fast so please don't delay. Get a

complimentary Spring Preview Tote Bag when you pre-order.

www.cloakinc.com

2009-01-16T13:37:00.000-08:00

CLOAK KIDS ARE HERE!!!

“As I was making these, I just started to cry because I just imagined kids running around CLOAK-ed in these tees, J.Wilson, CLOAK Designer.” CLOAK is more than just a fashion label, its a lifestyle, a philosophy, its how we believe the world should live. We are all in this world together and we interact, connect and relate to one another in different ways. We believe all of our relationships should always have love weaved into them. Even if you have just met someone or have a split encounter with someone through eye contact… love can always be a part of that. Take a simple encounter while driving. Someone is trying to get over to your lane on the highway. Rather than being a jerk and speeding up so that person can not get over, why not just let them in? There may a good reason why that person needs to get to that lane. You may have helped that person reach the hospital just in time to be with a family member. You may have prevented that person from being in an accident that was to happen a few minutes later. Who knows! The point is… simple acts of kindness are really all about love. Love is not a feeling, its an ACTION that may produce feelings. I cried because I really love children and was really honored and overjoyed to make these tees just for them. These tees are all about my act of LOVE for them. Our relationship is created through these shirts. One of our patrons wrote us an email and it said: “When I gave my niece her CLOAK tee that I bought for her, I saw her eyes light up and she immediately grabbed it and put in on. She refused to take it off for the next 2 days! She even wore it to bed! I think we’re going to need some more shirts!” Of course I started bawling again ! Thanks so much to all who have partnered with CLOAK. For all who haven’t yet joined the movement, please check out our website: cloakinc.com. We’d love to CLOAK you!

CLOAK WINTER CLEARANCE!!!

2009-01-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

CLOAK HOLIDAY SALE IS HERE!

2008-12-18T10:43:00.001-08:00

The CLOAK HOLIDAY SALE is here!

Check out cloakinc.com for wonderful gift ideas for everyone on your list, all at SALE prices.
Make your holiday shopping an easy and pleasant experience... CLOAK your loved ones this year!

Featured gift ideas include:

SIGNATURE CLOAK GIFT SET
Your choice of 2 Positivity Moves II Collection Designer Tees
+ All (4) versions of the official CLOAK buttons
+ A special edition CLOAK tote bag
all for $54.99 (reg $67.98)

CLOAK KIDS GIFT SET
Your choice of 1 Hand Painted Designer Tee
+ Your choice of 1 of the official CLOAK buttons
+ A special edition CLOAK tote bag
all for $19.99 (reg $26.99)

STOCKING STUFFERS
20 of the official CLOAK buttons (your choice)
+ 5 special edition CLOAK tote bags
You can gift 5 people with 1 tote bag and 4 buttons (1 of each design).
all for $39.99 (reg $69.99)

We also offer raw edge off-the-shoulder tees in any design.
Please indicate that you want your shirt specially cut when you place your order..
Call or email customer service for additional information.

Place your orders as soon as possible, the holidays are just around the corner!

www.cloakinc.com

Children dying in Haiti, victims of food crisis

2008-11-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately the problem is still among us. We are doing everything we can to help. Join the movement... let's CLOAK the world!

By JONATHAN M. KATZ – 3 days ago

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The 5-year-old teetered on broomstick legs — he weighed less than 20 pounds, even after days of drinking enriched milk. Nearby, a 4-year-old girl hung from a strap attached to a scale, her wide eyes lifeless, her emaciated arms dangling weakly. (click on the link to read the full story).

CLOAK AT FONKOZE SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE 2008

2008-11-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

Fonkoze is Haiti’s Alternative Bank for the Organized Poor. It is the largest micro-finance institution offering a full range of financial services to the rural-based poor in Haiti. Fonkoze is committed to the economic and social improvement of the people and communities of Haiti and to the reduction of poverty in the country.

CLOAK attended the Solidarity Conference in Miami to connect with organizations that are actively addressing the needs of the people.

Pictured here is board member, Anne H. Hastings with Ebonie Mukasa, CLOAK Cheif Executive Officer.

CLOAK GOES TO THREADSHOW IN MIAMI

2008-11-18T09:14:00.001-08:00

CLOAK at THREADSHOW!

THREADSHOW is one of the hottest designer shopping events of the year.
Designers are chosen by the very selective organizers of the show.
Threadshow originated in London and has emerged in the most prominent
fashion-forward cities in the US: LA, San Diego, Miami, NY and Chicago.

WINTER SPRINGS AT A PRESS SHOOT IN GERMANY

2008-10-23T09:10:00.001-07:00

WINTER SPRINGS : RECORDING ARTIST

“A rising star” – “one of the most promising artist I’ve heard since ages”, these are just two examples of the overwhelming response from worldwide media after listening to her music or watching her vibrant performance. As a former member of the Duo “Seminole County”, with successful tours and gigs as opening act for Backstreet Boys “Never Gone Tour”, closing of worlds famous CBGBs in New York, one month Europe Tour, followed by the Florida GRAMMY Awards Showcase and in the beginning of 2008 a 30 days Asian Tour with 28 booked shows, in the summer of 2008 it was time for Winter Springs to focus on her solo project.

Winter Springs’ background was not originally in music entertainment, as a highly skilled athlete, she received numerous awards as a top performer, along with her brothers: notable Budd Thacker 72 Florida State University, and CJ Thacker, also 72 Seminole High School, playing football. As the only female on the SHS football team, she was so successful playing both offense and defensive positions, that she was gravely thinking about a career as a Football Coach, but life went a different way after her sophomore year when female prowess and size overtook skill for her. It was actually the support of her fellow football players that led her to begin her rap interest, ultimately leading to her now music career, initially performing at local events just for the fun of it. It was that strength and self-confidence that made Jj stand out. In 2004, she released her first CD, touring the East Coast on a Readers Digest supported School Tour amassing a solid fan base of young fans. Shortly after, she teamed up to perform with producer-singer; Byron J, thus forming the duo “Seminole County”, and releasing the second self titled CD through Dave Mac Records in 2005.

As an outstanding songwriter and performer, it was time to take the next step to a variant of opportunities, new music and collaboration opportunities.

Winter Springs is a fountain of music, never standing still.

CLOAK TEES MAKE GREAT GIFTS FOR YOUR PERSONALIZED GIFT BAGS!

2008-10-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

One of our patrons celebrated their birthday in style! She gave her guests CLOAK tees for attending her birthday celebration in LA! Contact us for your gifting solutions. We love customizing orders. www.cloakinc.com

CLOAK AT MONTREAL NETWORK ON THE RUNWAY 2008

2008-10-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

CLOAK was in full effect at Network on the Runway in Montreal! Thank you to all of you who have been supportive of our brand and cause! We made great contacts and connected with our core audience: young, trend-setting professionals who are social change agents.

Please check us out at cloakinc.com if you want to join the revolution. Register on our website to get the latest news about CLOAK, receive special discounts, VIP passes to our events and get exclusive previews of our upcoming collections (including pre-sale privies).

Stay + Positive.

Love,

Team CLOAK!

Disaster strikes in HAITI...again!

2008-09-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Haitian families scrambled onto rooftops and screamed for help Tuesday in a city flooded by Tropical Storm Hanna, as U.N. peacekeepers and rescue convoys tried in vain to reach them" (Sept. 3, 2008, SAINT-MARC, Haiti - source: http://www.superhaitian.com/articles/haitians-stranded-roofs-flooded-city.html). The death toll has climbed to over 500! (http://news.scotsman.com/world/Hurricane-death-toll-in-Haiti.4465775.jp)

The main concern is now in Haiti , where four storms in three weeks have killed at least 600 people and left hundreds of thousands in desperate need of food, clean water and shelter.

Officials continued aid operations in the flood-stricken town of Gonaives, devastated by flooding from Tropical Storm Hanna. Another 47 people perished in the village of Cabaret, near Port-au-Prince, in flooding caused by Ike, officials said.

"Many homes were destroyed in Cabaret, and we have seen some bodies of children in the water," a journalist for UN radio who spent the night on the roof of his house told AFP.

Hundreds of bodies were found in Gonaives, a town of 350,000 in northwestern Haiti, after a five-meter (16-foot) wall of water and mud engulfed much of the town.

UN peacekeepers on Saturday evacuated several thousand residents from Gonaives, a local official said, but thousands more are still awaiting relief.

Some 650,000 Haitians have been affected by the flooding, including 300,000 children, and the task of delivering crucial aid has been complicated by dismal transport conditions, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Officials said 200,000 people were without food and clean water, many for four days.

"What has happened here is unimaginable," member of parliament Pierre-Gerome Valcine told AFP from Cabaret, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital.

Massive flooding over the past week in the poorest country in the Americas has triggered a humanitarian crisis that was worsening by the day.

(source: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ihCjo1P9V67ivIDJ0fJPYHlWIWMg)

The Alarm is sounding...what are you going to do about it?
CLOAK can help you be apart of the answer. We launched 100% CLOAK'ed " Positivity Moves" limited edition t-shirts in June 2008.

100% of the proceeds from this limited edition collection will be given to the Convoy of Hope, a non-profit organization that has been meeting the need of the Haitian food crisis and is now participating with the hurricane disaster relief.

It's time to get into action friends. You can DO SOMETHING to help right now! Every moment you wait represents the life of a person that is not getting the URGENT help they need. Sept 8th - 14th, we have offered a 20% discount on all "Positivity Moves" shirts. We are offering FREE Shipping to all FLORIDA residents. Buy a shirt, buy several and give them out, spread the word, tell your friends, your community organizations, your student groups, churches whatever. Just start doing something.

Visit cloakinc.com to order your shirt today.

Seen in CLOAK

2008-08-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

Jason Kennedy from E! News and
Host of Primetime show : "Dance Machine" on ABC

Get to know CLOAK + Check out all our media coverage

2008-08-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

WEB INTERVIEW:
http://firstthreeinc.blogspot.com/2008/08/road-map-cloak.html

TV INTERVIEW:
http://miamibeach.plumtv.com/videos/positivity_moves

ARTICLES:

No Fear, Just D.I.V.A. - August 4, 2008
Point A (where you are now) + Point B (where you wanna be) = Fashion Freeway (What's getting you from A to B)
http://firstthreeinc.blogspot.com/2008/08/road-map-cloak.html

Fashion Company CLOAK to give 100% of their profits to the starving in Haiti - July 31, 2008
http://www.southfloridacaribbeannews.com/story.asp?ID=4257

Cloak Apparel Limited Edition Designer T-shirts : Positivity Moves - July 25, 2008
http://www.apparelsearch.com/News/Articles/Fashion/2008/July/7.25.08_Cloak_Apparel_Limited_Edition_Designer_T-shirts_Positivity_Moves.htm

Free Press Release, THE ORDINARY NEED NOT APPLY - June 4, 2008
http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200806/1212596932.html

ONLINE COMMUNITIES:

Apparel Search-
http://www.apparelsearch.com/news/articles/Fashion/2008/
July/7.25.08_Cloak_Apparel_Limited_Edition_Designer_T-shirts_Positivity_Moves.htm

Fashion Freaux, Europes Fashion Community - http://www.fashionfreax.net/en/outfits/Positivity+Moves-1790

CLOAK MySpace Profile -
myspace.com/cloakinc

Style Mob-
http://www.stylemob.com/user.php?login=cloakinc.com

Facebook
name: CLOAK inca

fashionindustrynetwork.com

2008-06-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

POSITIVITY IS CONTAGIOUS!

We’re all about being fabulous and socially conscious! These days we’re constantly being bombarded with the problems we face as a society, human race and citizens of planet earth. The depletion of our global resources, hatred and genocide among cultures and races, economic strife etc... We know that there are so many issues but, a lot of us are either overwhelmed by the responsibility to be part of the solution or we’ve become desensitized to it all and we just continue living out our lives. That is why we created CLOAK.

CLOAK is a way to become part of the solution. In short, we design and sell cool, unique and fabulous products available at www.cloakinc.com. A portion (and in some cases 100%) of the profit will be donated to active and legitimate charitable causes. Our goal is to become a vast resource for socially conscious causes and to develop missions projects that focus on specific issues around the world. Fashion is our vehicle, being a part of the solution to social problems is our purpose.

We are a fun and energetic brand that is focused on spreading positivity throughout the world in a stylish way. Everything we do falls in line with our core values: giving, sharing and loving. Our extensive background and experience in the art & design industry has given us much license to provide you with the most unique product offering.

Our launch campaign, THE ORDINARY NEED NOT APPLY, features the "Positivity Moves" limited edition t-shirt collection. In true CLOAK form, this collection is BOLD, VIBRANT and FUN. The design is clean and simple. The fabric (heather) is so soft and comfortable. We encourage personal style. That’s why we’re offering an array of color options for you to choose from. Mix, match and layer to create a look that is all your own! Girls, grab your neon pumps and metallic clutches and guys gather your cool kicks and stone-washed jeans, you’ve been CLOAK-ed. Check out images from our look book below!

100% of the profit made from the launch collection of "Positivity Moves" will be donated to non-profit charities focused on developing solutions to the overwhelming food crisis in the nation of Haiti.

Please become part of the solution visit: www.cloakinc.com

For any inquiries contact us directly at: 917.837.5853 or 305.493.1621

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF THE MOVEMENT!!!!