Star power: celebrities rally around the flag in war against terrorism - raise funds for victims of September 11 terrorist attacks - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Ebony, Jan, 2002

In an unprecedented act of philanthropy and unity, Black celebrities and business leaders joined White notables in a nationwide fund-raising effort that yielded nearly $1 billion in pledges for victims of the September 11 tragedy. Among the largest contributors were Michael Jordan and rap star Dr. Dre, who donated $1 million each; Sean (P. Diddy) Combs, who donated $100,000; Attorney Willie E. Gary, who contributed $100,000 in college scholarships to live children of a flight attendant who was killed in the crash in rural Pennsylvania; and rap star Jay-Z, who donated $45,000 in addition to $1 for every ticket sold on his nationwide Blueprint Lounge tour.

Luminaries in the entertainment industry rallied around the flag at fund-raisers for the victims. In the nation's capital, Michael Jackson, Destiny's Child, Scan Combs and James Brown participated in "United We Stand: What More Can I Give?"--a marathon 11-hour concert that raised about $2 million.

In New York, Yolanda Adams, Craig David and Shaggy took part in "A Night for John Lennon's Words & Music," which benefited the Red Cross and the September 11th Fund. Halle Berry, Macy Gray, Buddy Guy and India. Arie participated in the "Concert For New York" in Madison Square Garden. In Atlanta, producer Jermaine Dupri's fund-raiser, "Hip Hop for Humanity," featured Montell Jordan, Xscape, Lil' Bow Wow and Da Brat. Kmart presented a 45-city tour, "Sisters in the Spirit," which featured gospel superstars Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary and Virtue, to benefit the New York Relief Fund.

Cuba Gooding Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Will Smith, Muhammad Ali, Alicia Keys, Wyeclef Jean and Stevie Wonder performed, read tributes and/or manned the phones for the impromptu telethon, America: A Tribute to Heroes, which raised about $150 million in pledges.

Remakes and re-releases made hefty contributions to fund-raising efforts. Arista Records re-released Whitney Houston's wildly popular rendition of"The Star Spangled Banner" which shot to the top of the charts instantly--with proceeds aiding New York firefighters and police. Producer Nile Rodgers re-recorded "We Are Family" with Run-DMC, Vanessa Williams, model Tyson Beckford, Montel Williams, Monica, Queen Latifah, the Pointer Sisters, WNBA superstar Lisa Leslie and others.

Mary J. Blige, Eve, Nona Gaye, Ja Rule, Wyclef Jean and others were a part of "What's Going On, the All-Star Tribute," one of nine new mixes of the Marvin Gaye classic song to benefit United Way and the Global AIDS Alliance.

Several celebrities, including Spike Lee, Denzel Washington and Venus Williams, participated in auctions to raise funds for victims.

Looking toward the future, the United Negro College Fund introduced the Liberty Scholarship, a full scholarship to any of UNCF's 39-member colleges and available to any dependent of someone killed or permanently disabled in the September attacks.