Alicia Keys, Padma Lakshmi and I co-hosted our yearly fundraiser for Keep a Child Alive (www.keepachildalive.org) at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York city…. and what a night it was!
We honored President Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson and African musician Youssou Ndour. The evening celebrated the work of the world’s most influential humanitarians, prominent entrepreneurs, entertainers and politicians who continue to attend and lend their support each year.
The Hammerstein Ballroom was transformed into a glamorous African tent where we gathered to talk, entertain, celebrate and highlight the work of Keep a Child Alive. Our emcee Queen Latifah was funny and engaging and gathered everybody to raise the funds during the auction.  At one point she was trying to outbid Tyler Perry…. Go Queen (but she lost it to him – all for a good cause!) The auction kicked ass!
The celebrity quota was very high this year from Halle Berry, Kerry Washington, Mary J Blige, Estelle, Usher, Tyler Perry, Tonya Lewis and Spike Lee, Tommy Hilfiger, Jeffrey Wright, Adrian Grenier, Erica Reid and L A Reid, Nick Cannon, Paula Patton and Robin Thicke, Samuel Jackson, Al Rocker and many more (sorry, if I missed your name!) My highlight was seeing the lovely Halle Berry… she is beautiful in pictures but my God she is breathtaking in real life and motherhood suits her gloriously!
Iman and Halle Berry at Keep a Child Alive Black Ball
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I have made a new friend in Kerry Washington who invited me to the opening of her broadway debut Race… can’t wait. Â But my new BFF is CNN’s Christiane Amanpour who was a guest at my table, also including Cindy Leive, Editor in Chief of Glamour, Sir Richard Branson and his wife, my dearest friend Bethann Hardison, Tyson Beckford and of course my husband David Bowie.
With fearless performances by Alicia Keys and her band, Chris Martin of Coldplay, John Mayer, and Youssou Ndour, as well as the African Children’s Choir….. the kids which ranged from 7-10 years old got the most applause! Chris Martin (who bought one of the auction pieces which was Alicia Keys piano with a lesson from her!) was so sweet and engaging on stage and I was floored by John Mayer and Alicia’s rendition of “Ain’t no Sunshine.” A standing ovation from the whole house! We ended with Alicia and Chris Martin duet of Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida.” Everybody was on their feet dancing.
Iman at The Black Ball wearing a Thakoon dress and Fred Leighton jewelry
It was an evening to inform, inspire and have fun and what fun we had.
One of the reason I joined this organization was NO bureaucracy, no bullshit. It remains small and bureaucracy-free, so the speed of response is never hammered. Â
Keep a Child Alive is fearless, rebellious, irreverent, cutting edge and not afraid to push limits…. We are the punk rock of charities! There is no hierarchy, only shared passion for moving our agenda forward which is to save as many lives as possible.  100% of the public’s donation to KCA go directly to support essential treatment and support services for children and families living with HIV/AIDS.Â
You want to help? It is as simple but monumental as:
– Make an immediate $5 donation to KCA by texting “ALIVE” to 90999
– visit www.keepachildalive.org to learn more ways to Get Involved
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