Amid all of the network coverage for the one year
anniversary honoring those lost to Hurricane Katrina and the region that was
ravaged by the storm, David Banner
was one of the many musicians who made it their duty to help with the relief
efforts.
Banner started
his own non-profit in the, Heal the Hood in
the wake of Katrina, which reunites separated families and delivers food to
those in need. Among other things, he’s organized concerts to help with
funding relief efforts in NY, Atlanta and Mississippi.
While much of the relief efforts were pointed towards big name celebrities like
John Travolta and Oprah Winfrey, Banner took his
promotional tour that was set up by his label for his album, Certified and
made damn sure he made people aware of what was going on in the South.
When New Orleans
was hit, the country stood in disbelief that it’s beloved French Quarter was
under four feet of water. At the same time, Banner’s home town of Jackson, MS,
like much of the rest of Mississippi
was hit as well. During the Hurricane Katrina crisis, Banner even used his tour
bus to help shuttle and house victims in Southern
Mississippi.
Banner recently sat down with Davey D in Los Angeles to talk about music,
philanthropy and his own realization that he needed to be closer with God,
after witnessing the death and destruction that Katrina had left in its’
wake.
“He talked about how Young Jeezy got upset when Banner shared with the
public his generous donations. He talked about how Nelly and his family helped
pull his spirits up and get his Heal the Hood Foundation in proper order, because
in spite of all his relief efforts, Uncle Sam still found time to come visit
Banner and try and jam him up for helping out his community. We talked
with Banner about leadership and the lack of it in many places. We talked to
him about his future plans and why he is seriously heeding the advice of Jim
Jones who sat him down and told him the best way someone in his position could
be most effective,” Davey D said of the interview.
The interview can be heard here: http://odeo.com/audio/1784409/view
