Caribbean Life Magazine Review - July 2001

UN Consultant AMcK sings for City Harvest food drive

Singer and international civil servant Angela McKenzie (AMcK) literally sang for someone’s supper on Jul. 19 at the Baggot Inn in Greenwich Village.

More specifically, AMcK along with dub poet Anton, performed a blend of original and popular music, while raising awareness about the poverty and hunger, which exists right under the noses of New Yorkers. Fittingly, the cover charge for the performance was $5 plus one non-perishable food item. All non-perishables were donated to local non-profit agency City Harvest, Inc. - The world’s first and largest food rescue organization.

AMcK recalls that when she came to New York City from Toronto, Canada about three years ago, there were days when there was nothing in her pantry to eat. Fortunately, on those days, she had the option to accept the kindness of a Good Samaritan, who managed a pizza parlor in mid-town Manhattan. He would fix her up with a regular slice and a soda. When her financial circumstances improved, AMcK’s awareness of City Harvest was raised and knowing that people in need do not always have the benefit of a Good Samaritan, she decided that she would somehow involve herself with this organization’s mission.

Before leaving Toronto, AMcK played an active role in the local arts and entertainment scene. Her stints included writing a bi-weekly entertainment column for the grass roots publication Pride Magazine, and coordinating promotions and public relations campaigns for independent recording artists. She also coordinated live fundraising events such as the Ebony Fashion Fair Show to benefit non-profit organizations like the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and the Children’s Wish Foundation. In addition, AMcK worked on location in Toronto’s film and television industry on projects such as “Forever Knight” a weekly series for USA Cable and “Falling for You” a CBS movie of the week. AMcK also co-hosted and promoted a weekly, musical radio program on CIUT 89.5 FM.

For the last year and a half, AMcK has been a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme, where her commitment to the marriage of professional life and a sense of social responsibility, is executed from a global perspective. “At UN Headquarters, many people work tirelessly towards improving the lives of people around the world, who are less fortunate that themselves,” according to AMcK.

“In spite of their daily efforts, headquartered civil servants, sometimes feel unsure of the results their efforts are generating in the field,” she added, “and they have the desire, to take more tangible and immediate steps towards the alleviation of hunger and poverty. For example, my involvement with City Harvest, gives me a sense of satisfaction, similar to that experienced by colleagues who function hands-on, in the field and country offices.”

Putting philanthropy aside momentarily, AMcK is more than a civil servant with lofty intentions. She is a powerful vocalist, with an enormous stage presence and a great sense of style. Backed by some of New York’s most accomplished and hard working musicians, AMcK performed her soul-rock- and R&B influenced originals like “Good Intentions” and “Let the Fire Die”. Sharing the spotlight was be dub poet Anton, performing lyrically powerful, poetic works like “It’s Time We Speak” and “I Want To Know”, both reggae influenced rhythms. Samples of both these artists work can be experienced at www.angelamckenzie.com.

Details about City Harvest’s mission can be found on www.cityharvest.org .

Caribbean Life Magazine, July 2001