philanthropy
Singer, actor, and mental health advocate Demi Lovato is set to perform at Caron Treatment Centers’ 31st annual New York Gala, which is set to take place April 21 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The event will benefit Caron’s Recovery for Life mission, increasing access to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment.
The Gala will also feature an opening performance by Grammy winners (and married couple) Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal and will honor three philanthropists and advocates: Dr. Angelina Lipman, Monte Lipman and Jennifer Bandier.
“Recovery is possible – and I am honored to support Caron in helping individuals reclaim their lives and embrace a brighter future,” Lovato said in a statement.
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Lovato has received four nominations – more than any other artist – in the Video for Good category at the MTV Video Music Awards. The category is designed for videos that address current social and political subjects. She won in 2012 with “Skyscraper” and was subsequently nominated for “I Love Me,” “Dancing With the Devil” and “Swine.”
Dr. Angelina Lipman, psychologist and founder of Blocking the Noise, and Monte Lipman, founder and CEO of Republic Records, will be honored with the Thomas J. Moran Caron Music Award for their ongoing philanthropic efforts and support of Caron’s mission. The Lipmans serve on the founders board of The Neil Lasher Music Fund and are actively involved in a number of charitable organizations focused on health, education, and the arts.
Dr. Lipman, a social personality psychologist and former Columbia Business School professor, brings academic depth to their shared mission—applying her research on human behavior to drive meaningful change in education and social impact.
“Supporting Caron is personal for us,” Dr. Lipman said in a statement. “The work they do touches lives in meaningful, lasting ways.”
Jennifer Bandier will receive the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence for her longtime support of Caron and her broader philanthropic impact. The award is presented annually to individuals demonstrating the care and compassion exemplified by Caron’s founders, Richard and Catherine Caron. A music industry veteran and founder of the luxury activewear brand BANDIER, Jennifer is also a dedicated mentor, advocate for women in business, and longtime Gala Steering Committee member.
“Being honored with this award is deeply meaningful to me,” Bandier said in a statement. “Caron’s work is essential, and I’m proud to support their commitment to transforming lives.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Demi Lovato and celebrate our incredible honorees,” said John Driscoll, president and CEO of Caron. “This evening reflects our shared commitment to recovery and a future filled with purpose, connection, and possibility.”
Funds raised at the Gala will provide scholarships and programmatic support for Caron’s work in New York and beyond, including outpatient services, family programming, alumni support, and prevention initiatives. Caron New York, which opened in 1996, serves as a hub for community engagement, education, and early intervention.
For tickets and sponsorships, contact caronnygala@buckleyhallevents.com or call 914-570-1000.
Caron Treatment Centers is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention and addiction medicine education. During its almost 70 years, Caron has helped thousands of individuals struggling with behavioral health issues, including substance use disorders.
Anchored by two medical centers on its Pennsylvania and Florida campuses, Caron is headquartered in Wernersville, Pennsylvania. In addition, Caron provides services in Wyomissing and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City.
Warner Music Group (WMG) and best-selling Warner Records artist Josh Groban were honored on Wednesday (April 2) at the Harmony Program’s annual gala held at The Altman Building in the Flatiron neighborhood of New York City.
The event raised nearly $800,000 to advance the Harmony Program’s mission to bring music education into underserved communities across New York City. Hosted by CBS Mornings Plus’ Adriana Diaz, the event included live performances by Groban and students from the Harmony Program.
Kevin Gore, WMG’s president of global catalog (and a Harmony Program board member) accepted the honor on behalf of WMG, saying, “The Harmony Program’s work isn’t just about expanding access to music education, it’s about harnessing the power of music to encourage collaboration and cultivate community. It’s more important than ever for all of us to ensure that artistic expression continues to flourish freely and that organizations like the Harmony Program continue to thrive, so that they can foster the next generation of leaders, dreamers, and music makers. It’s an honor to be recognized by such an essential and impactful organization in our community.”
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On stage, Groban said, “The work of the Harmony Program is vitally important because it’s changing the mindset of these young people. Arts education, in an ever-divided and cynical world, is what tells us about the beauty of our similarities, but more importantly, about the beauty of our differences. This honor is so special and it means the world to me.”
Groban, 44, is a dedicated arts education philanthropist and advocate. In 2011, he established the Find Your Light Foundation, which helps enrich the lives of young people through arts, education and cultural awareness. He is also a celebrated performer, with five Grammy nominations, two Tony nods and two Primetime Emmy nods.
“Warner Music Group has been an invaluable partner to the Harmony Program and its students for over a decade,” said Anne Fitzgibbon, Harmony Program founder/executive director. “Beyond financial support, they have provided our students with career mentorship, industry internships, and unforgettable, collaborative performances with world-class artists like Joyce DiDonato, Chris Thile, and Josh Groban. They exemplify the power of corporate philanthropy to inspire young people, and by extension, their broader communities.”
The Harmony Program is a non-profit organization that provides children from underserved communities with free instruments, intensive music instruction, orchestral training and access to a variety of cultural experiences. The Harmony Program’s unique model also addresses a shortage of well-trained music teachers by preparing accomplished musicians to teach at public schools and community centers throughout New York City.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are set to receive the 2025 ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award at the annual Chapin Awards Gala on June 4 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City.
The 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and longtime activists, who have been married since 1982, will become the second married couple to receive the award. Songwriting greats Nicholas Ashford & Valerie Simpson received it in 2010.
The Chapin Awards Gala will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and live music. Additional honorees will be announced in coming weeks.
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The event is a major fund-raiser for WhyHunger, a global nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger. Founded in 1975 by Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger funds and supports community solutions to protect the human right to nutritious food.
“We are deeply honored to receive the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award and to stand alongside WhyHunger in their tireless fight to end hunger,” Benatar and Giraldo said in a joint statement. “Music has always been a powerful force for change, and we believe in using our voices not just to entertain, but to inspire action. WhyHunger’s mission aligns with our lifelong commitment to justice and equity, and we are proud to support their work in ensuring that nutritious food is a fundamental right for all.”
“As we celebrate WhyHunger’s 50th anniversary and reflect on our collective journey to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food, it’s important to uplift those who have helped lead the way,” Jenique Jones, WhyHunger’s executive director, said in a statement. “Honoring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award is a testament to their unwavering commitment to social justice and their powerful influence in igniting change through music.”
Last year’s gala honored singer-songwriter Michael Franti for his music-driven activism, recognizing his work with his and his wife Sara’s non–profit, Do It for the Love.
Benatar won four consecutive Grammy Awards for best rock vocal performance, female from 1981-84 and charted 15 top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. She won three American Music Awards and a People’s Choice Award.
Chapin, a singer, songwriter and social activist, made a big impact in his life, which was tragically cut short when he was killed in a car crash in 1981 at age 38.
Chapin, who wrote and performed such pop/folk classics as “Cat’s in the Cradle” (a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974), “Taxi” and “W*O*L*D,” was an early music industry advocate for the world hunger movement. He co-founded WhyHunger a full decade before music industry titans came together as USA for Africa to record “We Are the World” in 1985. Chapin gave tirelessly gave of his time and talents to perform at benefits and events in support of a range of social causes. (On the afternoon he was killed, he was driving to a benefit, where he was slated to perform.)
Chapin received two Grammy nominations in his lifetime – best new artist of 1972 and best pop vocal performance, male two years later for “Cat’s in the Cradle” (which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011). In its year-end issue for 1972, Billboard gave Chapin a Trendsetter Award, which was inscribed “For devising a storytelling style of songwriting with a narrative impact rare to popular music.”
The ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award was first presented in 1987 to Kenny Rogers, who had been part of “We Are the World” two years earlier. Two subsequent recipients of the award – Harry Belafonte and Kenny Loggins – were also part of that iconic smash, which raised millions for famine relief.
Tickets to the event can be purchased here.
Here’s a full list of winners of the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award. They are listed in reverse chronological order.
2025: Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo
2024: Michael Franti
2019: John Mellencamp
2018: Jason Mraz
2017: Jon Batiste
2016: Kenny Loggins
2015: Grace Potter (ASCAP Harry Chapin Vanguard Award); Felix Cavaliere (ASCAP Harry Chapin Legacy Award)
2014: The Fab Faux (Beatles tribute band founded by Will Lee, bassist for Late Show With David Letterman)
2013: Yoko Ono
2012: Darlene Love, Peter Noone and Ronnie Spector
2011: Rubén Blades
2010: Ashford & Simpson
2009: Wyclef Jean
2008: Elvis Costello
2007: Jackson Browne
2006: Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels
2005: Michael McDonald
2004: Emmylou Harris
2003: Judy Collins
2000: Harry Belafonte
1994: Barbra Streisand
1988: Peter, Paul & Mary
1987: Kenny Rogers
Tom Corson, co-chairman/COO of Warner Records, is set to receive the City of Hope’s 2025 Spirit of Life Award. It will be presented this fall at the annual Spirit of Life Gala in Los Angeles. For more than 50 years, the music industry has united around the Spirit of Life campaign, raising nearly $170 million to support City of Hope’s research and treatment efforts — mainly focused on cancer and diabetes.
“It is a profound honor to be recognized as this year’s Spirit of Life honoree,” Corson said in a statement. “At Warner Records, we often say it’s not just about the song — it’s about the artist. In the same way, City of Hope isn’t just about treatments — it’s about the people, their dreams, and their futures. When I sit down with an artist, we talk about their goals and aspirations, and we work to make those dreams a reality. That same spirit of transformation is at the core of City of Hope’s mission: turning hope into tangible breakthroughs for patients fighting cancer. The music industry has always been about more than entertainment; it’s about connection, transformation, and impact. I am proud to stand with my peers in championing this cause and supporting the vital and lifesaving work City of Hope does every day.”
Evan Lamberg, president of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and chairman of City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) board, said Corson’s honor was well-earned: “Tom has been an unwavering supporter of City of Hope for years, and his leadership and dedication to both our industry and this cause make him a truly deserving honoree.”
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Alissa Pollack, executive vp of global music marketing at iHeartMedia and president of City of Hope’s MFEI board, added: “Tom Corson has been a driving force in shaping modern music, and his philanthropic passion reflects that same commitment. The Spirit of Life campaign reminds us of the power of music to heal and inspire, and Tom’s leadership will help us elevate that message even further this year.”
“We are thrilled to honor Tom Corson as this year’s Spirit of Life recipient,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope. “Tom’s leadership, both in the music industry and as a long-time member of the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Board, exemplifies the transformative spirit that defines our work.”
The honor is a cornerstone of the MFEI’s annual philanthropic campaign. This year, the campaign takes on even greater significance as Los Angeles continues to recover from January’s devastating wildfires — events that not only displaced families but also contributed to long-term health risks due to toxic smoke exposure.
A group of key industry executives founded City of Hope’s MFEI group in 1973. The Spirit of Life Award is the organization’s most prestigious honor. Past honorees include Jay Marciano, Lyor Cohen, Shelli and Irving Azoff, Edgar Bronfman Jr., Coran Capshaw, Eddy Cue, Clive Davis, Sir Lucian Grainge, Allen Grubman, Quincy Jones, Rob Light, Monte and Avery Lipman, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin, Bob Pittman, Jon Platt and Sylvia Rhone.
Since Corson joined Warner Records in January 2018, the storied label has had success with such new and established artists as Dua Lipa, Zach Bryan, Michael Bublé, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Rufus Du Sol, Linkin Park, Cher, Dasha, Red Hot Chili Peppers, JISOO, Josh Groban, Gary Clark Jr., Green Day, The Black Keys, Saweetie, NLE Choppa and Omar Apollo.
Corson came to Warner Records from RCA Music Group, where he spent nearly 18 years and most recently served as president/COO. He began his career in the music industry as a college intern at IRS Records. Upon graduating from UCLA, he joined the label as director of West Coast sales. Corson moved to A&M Records in 1985, advancing to vp of marketing. In 1990, he was named senior vp of marketing at Capitol Records. From 1996 to 2000, he served as senior vp of marketing at Columbia Records.
Corson has appeared on the Billboard Power 100 list for the last 14 years. On this year’s list, published in January, he and Warner Records co-chairman/CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck were listed at No. 15. Billboard’s capsule entry noted, in part: “Since taking over Warner in 2018, they’ve signed stars Zach Bryan, who was a 21-time finalist for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards; Teddy Swims and Benson Boone, who are both nominated for best new artist Grammys; Dasha, who ‘crossed over in pop and country,’ Corson says; and rapper NLE Choppa, who hit 9 billion career total streams. The label also relaunched Linkin Park, which released its first studio album in seven years, From Zero, and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.”
In addition, Corson and Bay-Schuck were named 2024 Variety Hitmakers Executive of the Year. Corson is a member of the Recording Academy and the Music and Entertainment Industry board for City of Hope and also sits on the executive committee of the board of directors for the T.J Martell Foundation. He is also the chairman of the UCLA School of Music Business’ board of advisors.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy, and Ben Winston, a founding partner of Fulwell Entertainment, will be named 2025 Music Visionaries of the Year at the UJA-Federation of New York’s Music Visionary of the Year Award Celebration. The event, which is marking its 25th anniversary, will be held on June 16 in New York City.
The announcement was made just nine days after Mason and Winston worked together on the 67th annual Grammy Awards telecast. Winston was an executive producer of the show, along with Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins.
“We are thrilled to honor Harvey and Ben as our 2025 UJA Music Visionaries of the Year,” Daniel Glass, founder/CEO of Glassnote Records, chair of UJA’s Music Division and co-chair of UJA’s overall Entertainment division, said in a statement. “They have not only shaped the future of sound and storytelling, but Harvey and Ben also brought that same passion and vision to this year’s Grammy weekend and award show, respectively, rising to the occasion in the wake of devastation to help showcase music’s unparalleled power to heal, unite, and uplift. Beyond their remarkable contributions to the industry, their commitment to making a meaningful impact truly sets them apart.”
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As the first Black CEO of The Recording Academy, Mason has diversified the voting membership and revised rules and processes to make the Grammy Awards more transparent, inclusive and reflective of a wide variety of music genres. He has also enlarged the Academy’s role as a service organization for music creators and restructured the organization to position it for global growth.
Mason is the founder of Harvey Mason Media and a five-time Grammy nominee. He has written and/or produced songs for such artists as Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson.
Winston is a producer, director and founding partner of Fulwell Entertainment. He has won 13 Primetime Emmy Awards — eight for various iterations of the James Corden vehicle Carpool Karaoke; three more for other programs hosted by Corden (including the 2016 Tony Awards); and two for acclaimed variety specials headlined by pop superstars: Adele: One Night Only and Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium.
In 2019, Winston received eight Primetime Emmy nominations — a one-year record for an individual. In 2024, he produced the Paris to Los Angeles Olympics handover, a prelude to the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Funds raised at the luncheon will go toward UJA’s annual campaign supporting the work of confronting antisemitism, promoting inclusion and caring for New Yorkers of all backgrounds. A portion of the proceeds will also support UJA’s Music for Youth, which helps young people connect to life-changing music programs.
Working with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, UJA extends its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching the lives of 5.5 million people annually. Every year, UJA-Federation provides approximately $180 million in grants. For more information, visit ujafedny.org.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund celebrated the legacy of legendary folk singer Joan Baez on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. Performers included Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Margo Price, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Morello, Joe Henry, Lucinda Williams, Taj Mahal and Baez herself. There were also appearances by Jackson Browne and the Glide […]
The Recording Academy and MusiCares are partnering with Direct Relief, the California Community Foundation and the Pasadena Community Foundation to bolster support for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. On the Grammy telecast on Sunday (Feb. 2), attendees, viewers, music industry partners, and corporate sponsors will be encouraged to donate throughout the show, and all funds raised from the telecast will be used to support this new partnership, which will serve not only Los Angeles area music professionals, but the broader needs of others impacted in the Los Angeles community.
“In addition to raising money for music people, we are proud to add these three incredible partners who are supporting the Los Angeles region in other ways to maximize our efforts of aiding those impacted by this crisis,” Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in a statement. “We are so grateful to these organizations for their collaboration and look forward to bringing music professionals and fans together on Sunday, Feb. 2 to help rebuild and uplift Los Angeles and its people.”
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Here’s information about each of these three partners and a quote from their chief executives:
Direct Relief
Direct Relief is a California-based humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by emergencies and poverty. Since the L.A. wildfires began, Direct Relief has provided thousands of air-purifying masks and respiratory protection gear to residents, equipped first responders, and supplied community health centers with essential medications and financial assistance to support displaced residents.
Dr. Byron Scott, CEO: “For communities devastated by the Los Angeles wildfires, the road to recovery will be long, and the need for support will not end when the flames are extinguished. Direct Relief is committed to ensuring that those affected—whether displaced families, frontline responders or healthcare providers—receive the medical care, essential supplies and ongoing support they need today and for as long as it takes to rebuild. This partnership strengthens our ability to stand with these communities in their time of greatest need.”
California Community Foundation (CCF)
CCF is a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to building a stronger, more equitable Los Angeles County. Since 2003, CCF has provided critical disaster aid to communities across California to complement immediate relief and long-term recovery, ensuring the most impacted and vulnerable receive the help they need. To date, CCF has awarded more than $15 million to more than 130 local nonprofits supporting victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.
Miguel Santana, president: “Our path to recovery will be long, and will require the support of all in our community. Thanks to the generosity of thousands in Los Angeles, and across the world, we have raised more than $30 million and granted out $15 million to trusted organizations that provide essential services to the most affected and the most vulnerable. Through this incredible partnership with the Recording Academy and MusiCares, we will raise critical resources that will expand our capacity to build back LA strong.”
Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF)
PCF has been supporting Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre nonprofit organizations since 1953. The foundation’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund is focused specifically on assisting those impacted by the Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena. Since the start of the crisis, PCF has raised more than $8 million and has dispersed resources to 20 Altadena- and Pasadena-based nonprofits in its first round of funding.
Jennifer DeVoll, president & CEO: “Since 1953, Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) has been embedded in the greater Pasadena area—Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre are our core grantmaking communities. Because of that history, PCF understands the magnitude of loss in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire and has already disbursed $533,000 in relief grants through our Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund. We know Altadena in particular is a vibrant, artistic community, and we are incredibly grateful that the Recording Academy and MusiCares have chosen to partner with PCF to support local artists and all those impacted by this catastrophe.”
These partnerships amplify the efforts of MusiCares Fire Relief, which the Recording Academy and MusiCares launched soon after the wildfire crisis began to support impacted music people. All money raised will remain in the community and be used to aid those impacted.
To contribute money that will be exclusively used to support music people impacted by the Greater Los Angeles fires, visit this website.
To contribute money that will be used to support music people and others impacted by the Greater Los Angeles fires, visit here.
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards telecast will be broadcast live on Sunday (Feb. 2) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and available to stream live on Paramount+.
A who’s who of tropical music royalty, including Ivy Queen, Tito Nieves, Aymee Nuviola, Albita and Gente de Zona performed for nearly three hours as part of the Latin Grammy Foundation’s fundraiser honoring the legacy of Celia Cruz.
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The private event, which took place Saturday (Dec. 14) at the Miami-area home of Loud and Live founder/CEO Nelson Albareda and his wife, Elena Albareda, not only played tribute to the late “Queen” of salsa and tropical music, but raised money for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, with all proceeds going to the foundation’s scholarship, grant and educational programs for young musicians.
Backed by the Celia Cruz All-Stars as house band, one star after another got on the outdoor stage to perform songs popularized by Cruz during her prolific career. Albita opened the evening with a rendition of “Que le den candela,” where she improvised at length about Cruz; Gente De Zona stepped into the audience to sing “La Negra Tiene Tumbao;” Aymee Nuviola jammed to “Bemba Colorá;” young guns Christian Alicea and Peter Nieto performed a dazzling duet version of “Toro Mata;” and reggaetón queen Ivy Queen and pianist Arthur Hanlon turned Cruz’s farewell anthem “Yo Viviré” into a funk/Latin improvisational party.
Other performers included Spanish singer Beatriz Luengo, Nicaraguan singer Luis Enrique, Jorge Alberto El Canario, Tito Nieves, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Lenier, Lena Bruke, Brenda Navarrete, Carmen de León and dancer Siury. Many punctuated their performances with personal recollections of Cruz and the big and small ways she touched so many people’s lives.
“Celia Cruz was a cornerstone of the soundtrack of my life,” said Albareda, who as a teen worked at the offices of RMM, where Cruz was signed. It was there that he met a young Omer Pardillo, who worked in marketing, and who would become Cruz’s manager. Cruz would leave him in charge of her estate after her death in 2003 at 77 years old.
As the steward of Cruz’s legacy, Pardillo is steering the many events and celebrations that surrounding the centennial of Cruz’s birth in 2025. This year’s preludes included the launch of an official Celia Cruz quarter and Saturday’s concert, which also celebrated the creation of the Celia Cruz Legacy Scholarship, benefitting the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.
To date, the foundation has given out more than $10 million to different programs and provided 427 students with scholarships. Some of those students performed on Saturday night as part of an impressive all-student group.
Beyond the performances, the evening was full of poignant moments, including a recollection by host Enrique Santos, who serves as president/CCO of iHeart Latino, that illustrated both Cruz’s spirit and joie de vivre. A Miami downpour, Santos said, shut down an outdoor music festival where Cruz was slated to perform. When organizers came backstage to tell her it was ok to cancel because the stage was wet and muddy, Cruz was unfazed. “Are there still people out there in the audience?” she asked. “In that case, I’m performing,” she said firmly, and went onstage.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez; Jelly Roll with Power to the Patients; and Becky G with NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts’ “El Tiny” Takeover are among the winners of the fourth annual Anthem Awards. The awards, presented by the Webby Awards, recognize the purpose and mission-driven work of individuals, companies and organizations.
Other Gold Anthem Award winners include Google; George Lucas Educational Foundation; Gayle King with The Schoolys; Keke Palmer with Google’s ‘Black-owned Friday’; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Amazon Music; GLAAD; and the Clinton Global Initiative.
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“This year’s Anthem Awards Winners are a crucial reminder of the many inspiring and courageous leaders around us committed to creating change,” Patricia McLoughlin, Anthem Awards general manager, said in a statement.
The Anthem Awards also honor individuals with special achievement awards for their commitment to spurring long-lasting change. This year’s Special Achievement Winners include Teun van de Keuken, for his work to promote ethical consumption and business practices through the chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely; Padma Lakshmi, for her work to promote social justice, empower women, and create a broader understanding and appreciation of different cultures through food; and Christy Turlington Burns, in recognition of her commitment to improving maternal health outcomes and advocating for mothers everywhere.
This year’s Anthem Award Winners were selected from more than 2,300 submissions from 34 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS). Anthem Award judges are leaders from across the impact industry with expertise that spans the Anthem cause areas – diversity, equity, & inclusion; education, art, & culture; health; human & civil rights; humanitarian action & services; responsible technology; and sustainability, environment, and climate.
The Anthem Awards were launched in 2021 to highlight social impact work happening around the globe. The awards were founded by The Webby Awards in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, GLAAD, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.
Fans can watch each winner’s “Call to Action Speech” in the Anthem Winners Gallery at anthemawards.com/winners.
Performances by Brittney Spencer, Chris Janson, Clay Aiken, Jonathan McReynolds and Tyler Hubbard highlight the United Way Benefit for Hurricane Relief, a one-hour special which is set to air on Saturday (Nov. 2) at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and CMT.
Proceeds from the special, which was taped Oct. 27-28 in Nashville, will raise funds for relief and recovery following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused an estimated $50 billion in damage.
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The special will also include “messages and appearances” by Backstreet Boys, Billy Bob Thornton, Billy Burke, Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Cedric The Entertainer, Cody Alan, Jackson Dean, JB SMOOVE, Kelsea Ballerini, Max Thieriot, Nate Burleson, Stephen Colbert, Taye Diggs and Zac Brown Band.
The United Way Benefit for Hurricane Relief special is produced by Black & Bespoke (executive producer Myiea Coy), 5X Media (executive producers Gil Goldschein and Maria Pepin), Digital Cinema Collective (executive producer Aaron Cooke) and Berman Productions (executive producer Al Berman) for CBS and CMT. The special was created by Byron V. Garrett, chief revenue officer at United Way Worldwide, and Melissa C. Potter, executive director of Content for Change at Paramount Global.
In the last four years, United Way around the world has responded to more than 200 disasters, including droughts, water crises, hurricanes, fires and floods, and mobilized resources by facilitating more than $219 million in outside investments to support local needs.
Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers will be able to stream the show live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service.