Youssou N'Dour is in New York City tonight as an honoree, along with President Bill Clinton and Sir Richard Branson, of The Black Ball, a benefit event for Keep a Child Alive to support children and families with HIV/AIDS in Africa and India; he is set to perform as well. Youssou was in the city last night for a Q&A at a screening of the film I Bring What I Love. He is due to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at London's Africa Music Awards on Saturday.
Youssou N'Dour is in New York City tonight as an honoree, along with President Bill Clinton and Sir Richard Branson, of The Black Ball, a benefit concert event in support of Keep a Child Alive, at Hammerstein Ballroom. Keep a Child Alive, co-founded by singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, provides life-saving anti-retroviral treatment, care, and support services to children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
The annual Black Ball both raises funds for the organization and recognizes the work of influential humanitarians, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and politicians to better the world. President Clinton is being honored for his work with the William J. Clinton Foundation and The Clinton Global Initiative; Branson for his efforts to promote sustainable change through Virgin Unite; and Youssou for his tireless efforts to combat disease in Senegal and throughout Africa. In addition to being honoree at tonight's event, Youssou is set to perform, as are Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, John Mayer, and others.
For more information on tonight's event and the work of Keep a Child Alive, visit keepachildalive.org.
---
Youssou was in the city last night to answer audience questions at a special screening of the documentary I Bring What I Love presented by The Recording Academy's New York chapter. After a brief introduction by fellow Nonesuch artist David Byrne came a screening of the film, which the Washington Post described as "a vehicle of incantatory power," and a post-screening Q&A with Youssou, director Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, and score composer Martin Davich. The film is currently playing in theaters across the country, including the Avalon in Washington, DC. To find the film in a theater near you, visit ibringwhatilove.com.
---
There are more honors to come later this week as Youssou is slated to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa Music Awards (AMA) in London. “Youssou N’Dour has successfully managed to bridge the gap between the West and Africa," says AMA founder Eric McKaiser. "It is only fitting that we honor such an African legend." The awards ceremony will be held at the Troxy and broadcast to an estimated 10 million viewers worldwide. The AMA will also raise funds to support HIV/AIDS orphans in Africa. For information, visit africamusicawards.com.
- Log in to post comments
