The Meridian Arts Centre came alive Wednesday night as Harmonies of Hope gathered performers like Jully Black, Sean Jones, Quisha Wint, Steele, and The Hardcore Band.
A Toronto benefit concert has raised almost $2.3 million to help Jamaica recover from Hurricane Melissa.
On Wednesday night, the Meridian Arts Centre was buzzing as Harmonies of Hope brought together performers like Jully Black, Sean Jones, Quisha Wint, Steele, and The Hardcore Band. The show wasn’t just about music—it was a full room coming together for Jamaica in the wake of the storm.
Canadian rapper and producer Kardinal Offishall hosted the evening alongside GMI CEO Brandon Gonez. They were joined by artists, community leaders, politicians, and supporters for a night inspired by the music and spirit of Bob Marley.
Organizers told Now Toronto that in just three weeks, the fundraiser pulled in $2,282,558 for Hurricane Melissa relief efforts. Every dollar is headed straight to groups working on health care, education, and rebuilding infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas. They stressed, though, that recovery won’t be quick or easy.
“The process to recovery will be a long one,” they said. “We will continue to look for support from our community.”
EDMUND BARTLETT ON SOLIDARITY
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, said the generosity from Canada has been deeply touching.
“It is not only the Jamaican diaspora that is responding, but the Canadian family overall,” he told Now Toronto. “What it says is that Jamaica’s presence in Canada has added value to this great country, and they’re giving back to us.”
When asked what Canadians can do to help, Bartlett had a simple answer: visit Jamaica.
“Tourism is the essence of our economy,” he said. “Bringing back tourism as quickly as we are is a sure guarantee to bring back the economy of Jamaica.”
Bartlett added that seeing Canadians—far beyond just those with Jamaican roots—step up in support has been heartwarming. To him, it’s a reminder of how strongly the two countries are connected.
“It warms my heart greatly… tonight is not just the response of the Jamaicans, but it is a response of the Canadians.”
He also spoke proudly about Jamaica’s spirit—its resilience, its generosity, and its ability to rise again and again. He shared an expression many Jamaicans know well: “With little, but with talawa… we punch 10 times our weight.”
WES HALL KEEPS JAMAICA TOP OF MIND
For event patron Wes Hall, the cause hits close to home. He grew up in rural Jamaica, where poverty is widespread and support is often scarce.
Hall said many people assume life on the island has returned to normal, but the reality is very different.
“People have moved on from the hurricane, right?” he said. But many communities still lack basics like clean water, food, medical supplies, and consistent help. “They just don’t have support.”
That’s why Hall believes Harmonies of Hope is so important—it keeps Jamaica’s struggles visible even as global attention drifts.
“This event for me is to keep Jamaica top of mind until we fully recover, and that’s probably going to take some time.”
Still, he was excited for the night itself, soaking in Jamaican joy and unity through Bob Marley’s music.
“I’m just looking forward to listening to some Bob Marley and ‘One Love’ and just chilling… we’re celebrating that resiliency tonight.”
Hall also shared that he’ll be heading to Jamaica right after the concert to make sure the aid reaches the communities that need it most.
The evening, grounded in Marley’s timeless “One Love” message, showed that even in the face of hardship, Jamaica’s spirit—joyful, strong, and united—continues to shine.
