philanthropy
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.
John Mayer is set to perform at the annual Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisinefundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Comedian Jeff Ross will host the event. Mayer and Ross will both be honored with the Bob Saget Legacy Award, recognizing their commitment to continue Saget’s mission of raising […]
Judd Apatow’s New York Comedy Festival show Judd Apatow & Friends at the Beacon Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 9, will benefit the American Red Cross in North Carolina. The filmmaker and comedian will donate all artist proceeds to the organization in the wake of Hurricane Helene. “This show is about more than just making people […]
Finalists were announced on Tuesday (Oct. 15) for the fourth Annual Anthem Awards, which celebrate purpose and mission-driven work. Finalists from the music, media and entertainment worlds include Jelly Roll, Foo Fighters, Valerie June, Lainey Wilson and others with “Power to the Patients”; Becky G with NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts’ ‘El Tiny’ Takeover”; Rare Beauty […]
If you or someone you know has been impacted by this severe hurricane season, MusiCares may be able to help. MusiCares’ comprehensive support for music professionals includes emergency financial assistance, mental health and emotional support, medical and housing resources and support around basic living expenses. Whether it’s a natural disaster, personal emergency, or unexpected hardship, […]