Kimberly Rivers Roberts of HBO's "Treme" ask that we continue to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina

Online, June 22, 2010 (Newswire.com) - (New Orleans, LA) - The hurricane that drowned New Orleans and cast George W. Bush as out of touch swept across the Gulf Coast nearly five years ago. Now, as oil laps ashore in the very same region, local officials are asking: Is there another government-Gulf Coast disconnect? Is BP's oil spill becoming this president's Katrina?

CBS News reported, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs saying ""If you look back at what happened in Katrina, the government wasn't there to respond to what was happening,". "That quite frankly was the problem. Even tracking the hurricane for days and knowing fairly precisely where it was going to hit.

While it is being debated whether the government is responding fast enough to the Oil Spill, Kimberly Rivers Roberts wants to continue to ask the world for support for the victims and the rebuilding of the community from the Katrina Storm.

Kimberly Rivers Roberts and her Husband Scott Roberts are most known for the Documentary "Trouble The Water". On the day before Hurricane Katrina--just blocks away from the French Quarter but far from the New Orleans that most tourists knew--Kimberly Rivers Roberts, an aspiring rap artist, turned her new video camera on herself and her 9th Ward neighbors trapped in the city. "It's going to be a day to remember," Kim declares. As the hurricane began to rage and the floodwater fill their world and the screen, Kim and her husband Scott continued to film their harrowing retreat to higher ground and the dramatic rescues of friends and neighbors. The couple returned to the devastation of their neighborhood in New Orleans, only to be met by the appalling repeated failures of the government. But these self-described street hustlers become heroes, surviving the storm.

Seeing all the pain and suffering that was caused, upon there return they decided they wanted to make a difference. Kimberly Rivers Roberts partnered with Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation and started Troubled Waters, Awakening Minds. It's a non profit organization that focuses on individuals bound by substance abuse, which happens to be one of the most pressing challenges facing New Orleans' undeserved communities.

The organization still needs your assistance and you can contact: Sonjah Stith McKnight, Director of Development:
Phone 225.383.1672 Email: [email protected]

In other news: Kimberly Rivers Roberts is currently on the new HBO show "Treme". The series follows an ensemble cast of diverse characters three months following Hurricane Katrina. While most of the city's residents have relocated to Baton Rouge and Houston, many of the remaining residents now live in the "sliver by the river" (Treme) and are trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives amongst the devastation that continues to surround them. From chefs to musicians, each character has an inspirational (and often heart-breaking) story to tell about the events that took place in 2005 and how they are trying to rise above it all by rebuilding the city they love so much. Note: During its regularly scheduled season run, Treme airs new episodes on Sundays at 10pm ET on HBO (check local listings). The series can also be found on HBO on Demand

On May 22nd Kimberly Rivers Roberts was recognized as Humanitarian of the Year by the undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com at the 2010 Female Hip Hop Honors Awards, for her support of her community and assistance through the storm.

She wants everyone to know that she is grateful for the support and ask that you stay aware of issues in New Orleans.

For Interviews with Kimberly Rivers Roberts or more information on Katrina assistance contact:
Ernest Jackson, Publicist at:
Phone:1-888-851-3508
Email: [email protected]