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Shared Interest, a leading New York-based
nonprofit social investment fund, will honor award-winning
singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte, South African
pop band Freshlyground, and freedom fighter and social
justice activist Father Michael Lapsley at its 19th
Anniversary Awards Gala on Monday, March 18, at 6:00PM at
Gotham Hall New York City.
JP Morgan, a leading global financial services firm, will
receive the Corporate Award at the gala.
Distinguished U.S. and African leaders and top diplomats
will gather for this celebratory annual event that
recognizes leaders for their commitment and ongoing work
towards economic democracy and development in southern
Africa. The black-tie affair will begin with a cocktail
reception, followed by dinner and dessert.
“On the 19th anniversary of Shared Interest and South
African democracy, we are extremely proud to recognize these
extraordinary honorees for their commitment to building a
just, peaceful and prosperous South Africa,” said Donna
Katzin, executive director of Shared Interest. “Their
leadership is helping to transform the lives of economically
disenfranchised South Africans today, and chart a path for
the next generation.”
Award-winning artist and activist Harry Belafonte will
receive the Lifetime of Social Justice and Leadership Award
for his lifelong commitment to working towards justice in
South Africa and longstanding support for Shared Interest’s
work. Freshlyground, a chart-topping multiracial South
African Afropop band will be honored with the Voices of the
Next Generation Award. Freshlyground, which collaborated
with Shakira on the FIFA World Cup anthem "Waka Waka", will
be recognized for its efforts in giving back to the
community through its social outreach programs and music.
Father Michael Lapsley, an Anglican priest and freedom
fighter, will receive the Promoting Healing, Reconciliation
and Hope Award for his life’s work in the healing of
memories of South Africans affected by apartheid – enabling
victims and perpetrators to reconcile and reclaim their
humanity. Father Lapsley’s interpersonal and deeply
spiritual practice complements Shared Interest’s work
towards economic reconciliation and reconstruction in
Southern Africa.
The Awards Dinner will honor JP Morgan with the Visionary
Investment in South Africa’s Communities Award for its work
in the field of impact investment and philanthropy. At the
awards gala, Shared Interest will highlight JP Morgan’s
transformative initiatives and the financial organization’s
guidance and support for Shared Interest’s guarantee fund to
move banks to extend credit to black South Africans once
considered “unbankable”.
The evening performance will feature Afropop music from
honoree Freshlyground. Following the gala, Freshlyground
will perform at an after party geared towards young
professionals to support Shared Interest’s Next Generation
Campaign, which aims to catalyze investment in South and
Southern Africa’s underserved communities for decades to
come. The After Party will be held from 9:30pm- midnight at
Gotham Hall.
Caroline Clarke, Executive Editor of BLACK ENTERPRISE and
host of BE Business Report, will serve as Evening Host of
the gala. This year’s major corporate sponsor is South
African Airways.
This year’s Event Chairs are Eddie Bergman, executive
director of Africa Travel Association, and Tim Smith, senior
vice president at Walden Asset Management. Honorary Chairs
are The Honorable David and Mrs. Joyce Dinkins; Consul
General and Mrs. George Monyemangene; and H.E. Ambassador
Ebrahim Rasool and Ms. Rosieda Shabodien.
The Gala host committee includes: Alan Altschuler; Penny
Andrews; Michael Armstrong; Karen & Philip Berry; Jean Carey
Bond; Alan Bonilla; Sharon Davison; Rev. Canon Alan Dennis;
Jenny & Mark Hannegan; Anne Hess & Craig Kaplan; Daniel
Leader; Sylvia & Byron Lewis; Don Lowery; Anne & Vincent
Mai; Pamela Palanque North; Ruby Sprott; and Sthu Zungu
For ticket information, please visit
www.sharedinterest.org or call COMPASS EVENTS at
212-843-5750 or
sharedinterest@compass-events.com .
Individual gala tickets begin at $500, table packages begin at $5,000.
After Party tickets are available separately for $100.
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ABOUT SHARED INTEREST: Shared Interest’s mission is to
mobilize the resources for Southern Africa's economically
disenfranchised communities to sustain themselves and build
equitable nations. Since Shared Interest began in 1994, its
loan guarantees and technical support have benefited more
than two million black South Africans – the majority of them
women. Shared Interest has never lost a cent of its
investors’ interest or principal.
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