JCMD Photography

Alicia Keys

Keep a Child Alive is dedicated to providing life-saving anti-retroviral treatment, care and support services to children and their families with HIV/AIDS in Africa and the developing world by directly engaging the global public in the fight against AIDS.

Alicia Speaks about Saving a Child

On November 13, 2008 over 1,500 guests attended the fifth annual Black Ball at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to support the children and families that Keep a Child Alive serves. The event was sponsored by Conde Nast Media Group for the third consecutive year and raised over $2.4 million. The star-studded evening began with a cocktail party followed by a seated dinner, honoree program, live auction and extraordinary performances. Our very special guests included Tyra Banks, David Bowie, Russell Simmons, John Mayer, Timbaland, Cynthia Nixon, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Stacy London, Liya Kebbede, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning, Zoe Kravitz, Michelle Williams, Elijah Wood and KCA Global Ambassadors Padma Lakshmi, Jessica Alba & Iman.

Alicia Keys Takes The Stage

The evening was dazzled with extraordinary live performances by Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Chris Daughtry, Adele and Emmanuel Jal. Each artist took the stage to collaborate with Alicia Keys in a dynamic and emotional fusion of musical genres. Alicia and Justin Timberlake performed Phil Collins’ ‘Another Day in Paradise’ in a moving duet, Alicia also collaborated with the soulful songstress Adele in performing her song ‘Hometown Glory’.

Alicia Keys and Chris Daughtry

Chris Daughtry performed the very poignant ‘What About Now’ with Alicia.

Queen Latifah

Keep a Child Alive honored three humanitarians who have used their will, fame and courage to change the lives devastated by this pandemic. The honorees for 2008 included Jackie Branfield, Simon Fuller and Queen Latifah. Jackie Branfield is the founder and director of Operation Bobbi Bear, which protects sexually abused children from social and judicial neglect while preventing further abuse and HIV infection in South Africa. Simon Fuller, the creative and executive producer of Idol and Idol Gives Back, which has effectively raised over $76 million for charities last season alone and has mobilized the American people to take action. Queen Latifah has shown incredible dedication and leadership in speaking out about HIV/AIDS through film, music and advocacy at a time when this was not a “fashionable” thing to do.
WORDS BY KEEP A CHILD ALIVE

Simon Fuller