And the Award Goes to...
Monday, August 29, 2016
Jon Bon Jovi has played for a lot of major audiences. But the Jersey rocker just booked a major gig on Sept. 19, when he will be honored and a featured performer at this year's Clinton Global Citizen Awards.
The 10th annual event that honors outstanding individuals for their exemplary leadership and work to effect positive social change will take place during the final Clinton Global Initiative meetings in New York (Sept. 19-21).
This year's meeting celebrates a decade of CGI's philanthropy across the planet and will recognize the 10-year anniversary of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, whose focus is on issues of affordable housing and hunger in the U.S. The rocker's organization launched at a press conference in Philadelphia, where President Clinton took the stage to commend the philanthropic model.
According to CGI, the list of this year's honorees include President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia for his "commitment to establish peace in Colombia following a 50 year civil war"; Dr. Hawa Abdi for her work to provide "refuge, quality healthcare, education and entrepreneurship opportunities" for all Somalis and Adi Godrej for "transforming his family’s multinational company into a leader of social and environmental value creation."
In addition to Bon Jovi, the event will feature special appearances by opera singer Andrea Bocelli, who will perform with the Voices of Haiti Choir and Sister Mary Scullion, who will present an award to Bon Jovi; Randy Jackson will serve as musical producer for the event.
Some notable past Global Citizen Awards honorees have included: Quincy Jones (2009), Sting and Trudie Styler (2011) and Leonardo DiCaprio (2014).
