The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), founded by Robyn Rihanna Fenty, held its fifth annual Diamond Ball on Thursday night at Cipriani Wall Street.
Credit/Copyright: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Diamond Ball
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning comedian and late-night host, Seth Meyers, the event featured performances by multi-Grammy award-winning artist Pharrell Williams and Grammy nominated artist DJ Khaled who was joined on stage by an impressive group of surprise guests including 2 Chainz, A$AP Ferg, Fat Joe, Megan Thee Stallion, G-Eazy and more. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley along with writer and civil rights activist Shaun King received the 2019 Diamond Ball Award in recognition of their humanitarian and social justice work.
The black-tie benefit raised over $5 million to support CLF’s global education and emergency response programs around the world. Guests included Cardi B, Karlie Kloss, Offset, A$AP Rocky, Carmelo Anthony, Megan Thee Stallion, Kehlani, 21 Savage, Normani, Meek Mill, Jodie Turner-Smith and Slick Woods among many others.
“My grandmother taught me that it only takes one person, doing one thing, to help someone else,” said Rihanna at the 2019 Diamond Ball. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 1 dollar or a million. It’s about the collective joining forces to make a difference and that is why I am so thankful for all of you tonight.”
Since its founding, CLF has funded more than 59 global projects and committed over $13 million in grants across the education and emergency response sectors. As part of its emergency response work, the organization recently announced a new partnership with International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR) and Engineers Without Borders USA to build resilient reproductive health facilities in the Caribbean. The joint efforts will focus on hardening existing clinic infrastructure and expanding capacity to better provide critical sexual and reproductive healthcare for women and girls in the wake of extreme weather events.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed guests enjoyed Champagne Armand de Brignac served in iconic metal-coated jeroboams. To the delight of guests, Pharrell brought Rihanna on stage and the two performed the epic rap from the song, “Lemon” for the first time ever live together. And during an exciting live auction, two lucky bidders secured trips to Barbados for 20 garnering $500,000 alone for the foundation. Sponsors for the special evening included Live Nation, The Chris & Loretta Stadler Family Foundation.
