The We Are Family Foundation® (WAFF), a not-for-profit organization founded by legendary songwriter and producer, Nile Rodgers, honored Adam Lambert with the Unity Award at its annual Celebration Gala, on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. The evening was hosted by actress Rosie Perez and Touré, co-host of MSNBC’s “The Cycle,” and included a concert featuring Adam Lambert, Nile Rodgers & CHIC and special guests, Taylor Dayne, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz, Kathy Sledge, Sam Sparro, and Russell Peters.
The night kicked off with a star-studded red carpet and cocktail hour where guests mingled and congratulated extraordinary global citizens Adam Lambert and fellow honorees, Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D. and Reservoir Capital Group founder Daniel H. Stern, as well as a group of 21 extraordinary teenagers who are part of WAFF’s Three Dot Dash Global Teen Leader program.
After an introduction by Touré, WAFF Founder & Chairman, legendary songwriter and producer Nile Rodgers took the stage to welcome the evening’s guests. WAFF President Nancy Hunt spoke next, thanking guests for their support and emphasizing the significance of investing in the world’s youth through WAFF’s mission and existing programs such as Three Dot Dash, WAFF’s signature program, which identifies, supports and mentors Global Teen Leaders actively working on programs that address basic human needs and promoting a more peaceful world; and TEDxTeen, a global educational platform for extraordinary teens to share their stories and inspire millions.
“These are the leaders of the NOW and the future,” Hunt said. “These are the people that really exemplify the We Are Family Foundation. These are the people we have invested in, and these are the people that you have invested in tonight.”
After an introduction by WAFF Board of Governors members Rosie Perez, who wore a jumpsuit by Lorena Sarbu, and Simon Cohen, 21 Global Teen Leaders from eight different countries spoke about their experiences with the program and how they have been able to affect positive change in the world.
Adam Lambert received the Unity Award for his commitment to spreading peaceful messages through their music. This year, Lambert graciously donated his 31st birthday, January 29, 2013, to WAFF, asking his fans, friends and family to donate to the cause. Those who donate $31 or more to the cause will be able to record a 10-second video birthday message to Lambert, which will be included in what WAFF hopes will be the “World’s Biggest Birthday Card.” Those who donate less than $31 will still have a chance to sign birthday card as well. Lambert’s birthday card donations have raised close to $45,000 so far.
Celebrating the honor, Lambert later took to the stage with Sam Sparro and music legend Nile Rodgers for their first performance of ‘Shady’, a track which they collaborated on for Adam’s second album “Trespassing”. Afterward, Nile Rodgers and CHIC took over, performing such iconic tunes as “Le Freak,” “Everybody Dance,” “I Want Your Love,” and “Good Times” with Grandmaster Caz, Grandmaster Melle Mel and Russell Peters before the honorees, Foundation team and guests took the stage together to close the evening with a show-stopping rendition of “We Are Family” with Sister Sledge’s Kathy Sledge, the original voice of “We Are Family.”
IN ATTENDANCE:
Adam Lambert – We Are Family Foundation Unity Award Honoree; Singer, Songwriter & Humanitarian
Nile Rodgers – Founder & Chairman, We Are Family Foundation; Producer, Musician and Songwriter
Nancy Hunt – President, We Are Family Foundation
Daniel Stern – We Are Family Foundation Visionary Award Honoree; Founder of Reservoir Capital Group
Jeni Stepanek Ph.D. – Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award Honoree; Executive Director of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation
Rosie Perez – We Are Family Foundation 2012 Celebration Gala Co-Host; Actress
Touré – We Are Family Foundation 2012 Celebration Gala Co-Host; Television Personality
Taylor Dayne – Singer, Songwriter
Grandmaster Melle Mel – Hip Hop & Rap Musician
CHIC – Disco & R&B Band
Kathy Sledge – The Voice of “We Are Family”
Sam Sparro – Singer, Songwriter & Music Producer
Russell Peters – Comedian & DJ
Bashiri Johnson – Percussionist, Songwriter & Producer
Omar Hakim – Jazz Fusion & Pop Music Drummer
Montel Williams – We Are Family Foundation Director Emeritus; Television Host
Tom Silverman – We Are Family Foundation Director Emeritus; Founder & CEO, Tommy Boy Entertainment
Kate Pierson – We Are Family Foundation Board of Governors; Singer, The B-52’s
Bebe Buell & Jim Wallerstein – Musician & Model | Musician & Producer
Judy Goss – Television Personality, Founder & CEO, Over 40 Females
Jean Shafiroff – Philanthropist
Justin Tryon – Cornerback, New York Giants
Sean Young – Actress
Angela Yee – Radio Personality, Power 105.1
Joey Healy – Celebrity Eyebrow Stylist
Aviva Drescher – Real Housewives of New York City
LuAnn De Lesseps – Real Housewives of New York City
Ramona & Mario Singer – Real Housewives of New York City
Thomas John – Celebrity Psychic
Grandmaster Caz – “Old Skool” Rapper
Angelo David – Celebrity Hairstylist
Andy Rourke – Bass Guitarist, The Smiths
Randy Jones – Singer, The Village People
Kelly Cutrone – Author & Television Personality
Q-Tip – Hip Hop Artist
Donna D’Cruz – Celebrity DJ & Founder, Rasa Music
Lore’l – Rapper & Reality Television Star, Love & Hip Hop
Fonzi Thornton – Singer, Songwriter & Radio Personality
Rob Sabino – Rock Keyboardist
Katie Ford – Former CEO, Ford Models
Ray Chambers – United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Malaria
Gerardo Velez – Percussionist & Drummer
David Rockwell – Architect, Designer, Founder & CEO, Rockwell Group
Timothy Greenfield-Sanders – Documentary Filmmaker & Portrait Photographer
Seymour Stein – Vice President, Warner Bros. Records & Co-Founder, Sire Records
Michael Ostin – We Are Family Foundation Board of Governors; Entertainment Industry Executive
Congratulations Mr. Lambert!
What a special event…So proud of Adam Lambert receiving the Unity Award…Nile Rogers you are an amazing man…
It was an amazing event. Great to see Adam receive that award!