thevinylbox: Keep A Child Alive Black Ball 2010

Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Janelle Monae AND Sade sharing the same stage! You knew that something huge had hit New York City this past September 30th. All these artists came together for one night only at the annual Black Ball to support Keep A Child Alive. KCA is an organisation founded by Leigh Blake and Alicia Keys that provides the essential Anti-retroviral therapy which keeps children alive who have contracted HIV/AIDS.

KCA has been working relentlessly for the past 8 years to provide the AIDS care that is desperately needed through; treatment, testing centres, doctors, nutrition, medication centres, orphanages, shelters, communities centres, counselling and support groups.

KCA aims to help each person it comes into contact with to be self sufficient while receiving medication; re-building and supporting communities helping people help themselves.

In Africa and India there are currently 9.5 million people with HIV/AIDS and only 42% have access to the Anti-retroviral therapy many of who are vulnerable children, 80% of children who have AIDS will die before the age 5. There are currently 15.2 million children orphaned by AIDS, KCA supports their future by investing in their care preventing them from falling into the traps of sexual exploitation and the recruiting of child soldiers.

On the night of the ball the New York city winds couldn’t hold back the supports of KCA. The room was filled with celebrities who came out that night for KCA. Everyone from Whitney Huston who was letting all the photographers know Whitney has arrived true diva style , Sade who at 50 was looking better than most 30 year olds in the room, Usher, Clive Davis, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Janelle Monae, Jay Sean, Una Thurman and of course the host herself Alicia Keys and her Husband Swizz Beats. The newlywed couple are expecting their first child together in the coming weeks and are apparently naming their son Egypt.

The night consisted of an auction that included a holiday to the Turks and Caicos Islands and Michael Jackson memorabilia. The most anticipated part of the night was without question the performances. Alicia graced the stage with Jay-Z, Swizz and Sade herself for a duet. Jay-Z performed a set of his hit’s with Alicia on the piano introducing him on with a melody of “Dead Presidents” and “PSA” (yes you read me correctly, Crazy!) and his New York anthem “Empire state Of Mind”, he also performed “On To The Next One” with Swizz Beats. Janelle Monae performed a set that would have you trying to keep up with the quick feet of her tightrope dance all night. Sade performed a set which included Solder of Love and a wish you were there duet with Alicia Keys of her hit “Love Is Stronger than Pride”.

At the end of the night the 2010 Black ball raised a huge grand total of $2.4 Million for KCA to continue their vital work.

By Venessa Byron