On Friday, April 29, 2016, the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), a not-for-profit organization founded by legendary GRAMMY Award winning musician, Nile Rodgers, will honor President Jimmy Carter at Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
President Jimmy Carter will receive the distinguished Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award which honors a person who has made a significant contribution towards promoting a peaceful society. Jimmy Carter served as the thirty-ninth President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. In 1982 President Carter became University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and founded The Carter Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that actively addresses international and national issues of public policy. He is the author of twenty-eight books and numerous articles. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Previous honorees include, Dr. Maya Angelou, Desmond Tutu and Paul Simon.
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award was named in honor of the late 13-year old best-selling poet and peacemaker, Mattie J.T. Stepanek. "From the age of 7, Mattie viewed Jimmy Carter as a role model. After the two began interacting when Mattie was 10, President Carter served as a mentor to Mattie as he pursued his own peace endeavors. These two peacemakers collaborated on a book, and grew a bond of mutual respect and love. Today, their book, “Just Peace: A Message of Hope” serves as the curriculum foundation for global youth seeking to improve our world by tending to basic human needs. I am beyond excited that Mattie’s friend, and mine, Jimmy Carter, will be accepting the 2016 Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker award from WAFF. This award is truly a celebration of Mattie’s legacy, which was indeed shaped by this amazing humanitarian and peacemaker," remarked Dr. Jeni Stepanek, “Mattie’s Mom”.
Bono will also be honored at the Gala and receive the We Are Family Foundation Humanitarian Award, which honors a person in the public eye who has made tremendous efforts and inroads into making the human condition better throughout the world. The lead singer of the iconic and award-winning band U2, Bono is also a long-time activist in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa. He is the cofounder of ONE, a global advocacy and campaigning organization and (RED) which works with companies to raise awareness and funds for the fight against AIDS. Previous recipients of the WAFF Humanitarian Award have included Sir Elton John, Sting & Trudie Styler, Steve Van Zandt, Nile Rodgers, Jackson Browne and Peter Gabriel.
The funds raised will support WAFF’s mission and programs including WAFF’s signature program, Three Dot Dash, 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 teenagers to share their ideas, stories and inspire millions.
To purchase tickets, or to make a contribution to the We Are Family Foundation, please visit wearefamilyfoundation.org. Contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Arrivals and reception begin at 6:30pm on Friday, April 29, 2016 followed by the awards ceremony, dinner and live concert with Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Bono beginning at 7:30pm at the Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom located at 311 West 34th Street in New York City.
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