Music Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Grammy Nominee Melky Jean of The Carma Foundation Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
As a Haitian-American whose family members are from Haiti, I have always had a connection to the Caribbean. It is in my blood. However, Haiti has often been victim to natural disasters, political interference, and a tumultuous government and much of this plight falls on the innocent citizens of the nation. The corruption and mismanagement of the leadership affect those who may not have the resources to change their circumstances. That is what inspired me to create the Carma Foundation. I wanted to use my platform to bring awareness to the issues facing Haiti and develop resources to assist them in their efforts to uplift its underserved communities.
As a part of our series about music stars who are making an important social impact, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Melky Jean.
Melky Jean, aka Melky Sedeck, is a Singer, Songwriter, Author, Director, and Humanitarian who happens to be the younger sister of Fugees founder Wyclef Jean. As a performer, she has opened up for groups like the Roots, Black Eye Peas, Outkast and has gracefully shared the stage with living legends Sheryl Mclaughlin and Patti Labelle. Melky is also a Grammy-nominated songwriter who has written for artists like Sinead O’Connor, Regina Belle, and many others. Growing up, her musical influences ranged from Gospel (Tremaine Hawkins and Mahalia Jackson), Sam Cook, Janis Joplin, Patti Labelle, and Betty Wright.
She was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in New Jersey, making her a first-generation Haitian-American. Melky attended the Performing Arts High School in New Jersey, where she learned opera and used her dad’s church as her sanctuary to write music and perform in her family’s band. Following the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Melky’s song “Better” was included in The CARE For Haiti charity album. The album is in tribute to the quake victims and includes appearances by Patti LaBelle, Wyclef, Brook Hogan, Natasha Bedingfield, and Sean Paul, to name a few.
Her most gratifying accomplishment to date is an organization she has founded, The Carma Foundation. A non-profit dedicated to addressing the needs of women and children in her native homeland Haiti. As a victim of sexual abuse, she chooses not to let such tragedy overcome her and instead uses her platform to advocate for women and young children as Melky is happiest when she is helping others.
Currently, Melky Jean is working on returning to music with her upcoming single “Lose Urself,” set to be released in September, and is also working alongside her brother Wyclef John for the soundtrack to hit show The Chi.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?
I am a first-generation Haitian-American who was born in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of four, we moved to New Jersey and I started learning opera. My siblings and I grew up singing and performing in our father’s church. Unfortunately, there weren’t many Women of Color singing opera, so there weren’t many opportunities to start an opera career. That is when I gravitated towards the gospel, R&B, and Soul music. Even though I have a famous brother, I have been able to carve out my own career in the entertainment industry that includes a Grammy nomination, soundtracks for TV and film, and music production credits. I am also the founder of the Carma Foundation that does work assisting the underserved communities of the Caribbean, especially in my family’s home country of Haiti.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
My family was heavily involved in music but it was always affiliated with the church. Due to their religious beliefs, my parents did not allow us to listen to secular music. When I was 17 years old, my friend exposed me to an album by Betty Wright with the song “Tonight is the Night That You Make Me a Woman” and it changed my life. I decided to cover the song and while I was recording it in the studio, Betty Wright happened to be in the same building recording in a different studio. She had heard that I was doing a cover of her song and she wanted to hear my version. At the time, I was a naive teenager with little life experience who was about to sing for my idol. It was an overwhelming moment but after singing for Ms. Wright, she said, “Now I need you to stop singing and start feeling.” This advice has resonated with me throughout my entire career. I learned at that moment that creating music is more than just writing melodies and singing, it is about capturing the emotions of the lyrics and getting the audience to FEEL the music, not just hear it. After that day we met, Betty Wright and I became friends. She actually sang at my wedding. She was an incredible mentor to me and we remained close up until her death in May 2020. Her advice and friendship continue to resonate with me and I strive to be an advocate for women in the industry.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What was the lesson or take away that you took out of that story?
I was traveling in Europe on a tour opening for The Roots. I was in a place in France called Bordeaux. I am a soul singer so it’s about getting personal with the audience and as I approached the end of the stage to interact with fans, the crowd started pulling me into the audience. My brother, who was djing for me at the time, grabbed me before the crowd snatched me off the stage. As they were grabbing me, I continued to sing. My brother gave me a good tug and pulled me back. I fell onto my back onto the stage and as I hit the ground, I hit the high note. Everyone was shocked that I kept performing. As I always say, “the show must go on” and that was the lesson I learned that day. I also learned not to get swept away by the audience, literally.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
Stay true to yourself. I know that sounds cliche, but it is true. I came up in a very different music industry than what it is today. Before the internet, recording executives had full reign over an artist. They controlled who they were, what they sang, how they looked, and carefully curated the entire artist’s image and career. It caused a lot of us, especially women, to be censored and manipulated into taking a path that wasn’t authentic to us. Today with social media, artists have a direct channel to fans that A&R executives cannot fully control. It allows them to be authentic, unfiltered, and able to engage with their followers. Getting that direct feedback from the audience is something we only experienced at live shows. With so many platforms for people to release music, it is hard to break through the noise. However, staying true to your artistry will showcase the uniqueness of your talents and that is what will separate you from the crowd. Continue to stay true, listen to your voice, and keep pushing forward.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
After I signed my first record deal, I bought a Mercedes-Benz. I was so excited about this first big purchase that I immediately asked my dad if he wanted to take it for a ride. He got in and the first thing he said was, “Beautiful car, no gas.” The meaning of this quote is to value what is on the inside and not just the outside. A luxury car is beautiful but without gas, it is useless. I take this quote with me because it humbles me. It reminds me to appreciate people for who they are and not what they look like or who they present themselves to be. The essence of the quote is about appreciating the things you may not be able to see. It is something I will never forget.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I think at different times in my career there were different people who helped me. The first person who gave me a chance was Jeff Redd, an A&R person at a record company. He was a former artist who had worked with Mary J. Blige and other artists. We did an album together and what I loved about the relationship with him is that he didn’t act like an “industry person.” He did not just tell me the things that I was “supposed to hear,” he had a genuine investment in who I was as a person and an artist. We had a bond and I felt that he was concerned with getting the best out of me. Another person who has helped me along the way is my husband. He is the person who has encouraged me to get back into singing and make new music. He is my rock and my support system.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
As a Haitian-American whose family members are from Haiti, I have always had a connection to the Caribbean. It is in my blood. However, Haiti has often been victim to natural disasters, political interference, and a tumultuous government and much of this plight falls on the innocent citizens of the nation. The corruption and mismanagement of the leadership affect those who may not have the resources to change their circumstances. That is what inspired me to create the Carma Foundation. I wanted to use my platform to bring awareness to the issues facing Haiti and develop resources to assist them in their efforts to uplift its underserved communities.
Can you tell us the backstory about what originally inspired you to feel passionate about this cause and to do something about it?
Growing up in New York and New Jersey as a first-generation Haitian-American, there was always an emphasis on family, Caribbean culture, and ancestry. When I moved to Miami, that awareness became heightened. The first time I saw Haitian refugees coming into the United States, I witnessed about 50 people on a boat that was made to suit no more than ten passengers. I started to see women with no other options jumping into the water with their babies held tightly in their arms so that they can make it to the United States. The risks that these individuals were taking for a better life made me so emotional that I had to take action.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
My first experience witnessing Haitian refugees coming to the states crammed on overcrowded boats desperate for a new life with little to no options was my “aha moment.” I could not stand to see women and children jumping into the water to try and swim to safety for a chance at a new life in the United States when there should be a more humane option for people to gain prosperity and safety in this country.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
There was a former colleague of mine who used to work alongside me for years. Her name is Seven and she has done missions with my foundation, the Carma Foundation, for years. She eventually joined the Peace Corps and continues to do great work. When you see that you are able to make a difference in the lives of thousands and then someone you mentor turns around and does the same, it shows the significance of your impact. There are stories of women that I have helped put through school, through college, and that is powerful as well. One of the initiatives we do is to conduct head-to-toe makeovers for women. Prior to the makeover, we receive a backstory about the women. Unfortunately, there is often some sort of trauma associated with the backstory and in this particular case, we were doing makeovers for victims of abuse. One of the women had a personal style that was more on the masculine side, and I wanted to make sure that we honored her individuality. I took it upon myself to choose this individual as my personal project. I took her under my wing and personally bought her outfits to properly represent herself. We fitted her with sneakers, clothes for job interviews, and everyday outfits. She was so happy that she hugged me and when we took her portrait after the makeover, you could see the elation in her smile. Unfortunately, six months after the photo shoot, the client passed away but the portrait we took was used for the obituary. She was also buried in one of the outfits we bought for her during the makeover. Although it was devastating to see her pass, the level of impact we had on her life was apparent. It is incredible how big of an impact you can have on someone and stories like these keep me inspired to keep doing the work that I do.
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
- Get informed. Haiti has one of the richest histories of any Caribbean nation. The resilience of Haitian people is incredible and a lot of their trauma is undeserving. People always focus on the negativity surrounding Haiti but there are so many beautiful things about the country, the culture, and the people.
- Spreading the word and becoming involved. It is important to stay involved and not just when disasters happen. Before the first earthquake happened, Haiti was in a bad place and in need of help. Natural disasters happen all the time, essentially every hurricane season. However, people only seem to hear about Haiti when the headlines are the worst. Although it is great that people want to help when disaster strikes, it is important to support Haiti when they are not in the headlines. We need to support Haiti in the good times and the bad.
- Stay true to yourself, even when you are giving. Be realistic about your level of contribution. Find small ways to make an effort. If you do not have a lot of excess income to donate, donate what you can. Do your research and make sure your donation is going to a reputable organization. Make sure your contribution is going directly to the Haitian people. If you do not have the monetary resources to help, donate your time. Volunteer with a local organization and give your time to helping others. When all of the small efforts we make are accumulated, it creates a greater impact. Helping others sparks goodness inside of each of us. When you help people, you end up helping yourself.
Fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or an example for each.
- Stay true to who you are: When I started in the music industry as a young woman, I had businessmen and record executives telling me what to sing, how to look, what to say, and what NOT to say. Stay true to who you are and trust your inner voice. It is what makes you unique and it helps you differentiate yourself from others.
- Trust your inner voice: Being a young artist in the music industry with a famous older brother, I was surrounded by celebrities and notable people in the business. Everyone had their two cents to contribute and after a while, I started to doubt myself and my own voice. I was taking the advice of everyone around me and neglecting to champion my own point of view. I don’t know if it was because I was young or it wasn’t appropriate for women to do it at the time, but I wish I would have listened to my inner voice and advocated for myself more.
- People may do bad things but trust in the goodness of people: Growing up in the church, we are taught to see the good in people. However, sometimes people do bad things. Even though people do bad things, it doesn’t always make them a bad person. Sometimes, pain and trauma cause a person to lash out in ways that are not characteristic of who they are but reflect their dire circumstances. There is a saying that “hurt people hurt people” and I believe that to be true. Unresolved trauma can cause mental health issues that manifest into detrimental and dangerous behavior patterns. These individuals may not have malicious intent and want to do better but do not have the mental fortitude or resources to do so.
- Beauty cannot be defined: As an Afro-Caribbean Woman of Color, I have seen the way the beauty industry has evolved over the years to become more inclusive. The recent emphasis on body positivity is very encouraging to me. Beauty comes in all shades, sizes, genders, and forms. I encourage women to embrace their natural bodies but I do not judge anyone who alters their body for their own reasons. True beauty starts from within. When a woman practices self-love and feels confident in her own skin, her beauty radiates from that inner spirit. I encourage women to feel beautiful on the inside before they alter the outside. Beauty does not have one standard and it is our opportunity to create our own definitions of beauty.
- Music is a feeling: My mentor and friend Betty Wright told me to not just sing the music but to make the audience feel the music. When an artist can evoke an emotional response through their delivery of the music, it impacts the audience in a deeper way. The music should penetrate the soul, not just the ears. As artists, it is not our job to simply put words to melodies; we have the responsibility of storytelling and connecting with the audience through a shared emotional experience. I take this lesson with me in every performance that I do.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Fundamentals for survival are necessary and unfortunately, a lot of people on this planet are not guaranteed those essentials. If we could make sure that every family in the world has the bare essentials: healthy food, clean water, and access to education, that would mean everything to me. When I was growing up, the only food that some children ate was a subsidized lunch at school. In order to get their other meals, they had to resort to all types of activities. The stress of starvation is not something anyone should have to worry about, especially children. If I could somehow make sure that every child in the world had those fundamentals so that they could thrive, that would be my superpower.
We are blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Politics, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
I strive to become a better version of myself every day. If I am going to sit down with someone for lunch, I want to make sure they can bring wisdom that will help me become a better woman. There are many people I would love to have lunch with but one that comes to mind is Maya Angelou. She is someone who I have always admired but never had the opportunity to meet. She is a poet and I am a songwriter so I feel like we would share some great creative energy. I would love to speak with her about what it means to be a woman, especially a Woman of Color.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Grammy Nominee Melky Jean of The Carma Foundation Is… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.