The amazing, one and only Chaka Khan with a career spanning over 4 decades was honored by the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), a not-profit organization founded by legendary songwriter and producer Nile Rodgers.
Khan, who has won ten Grammy’s and sold over 70 million records worldwide was honored at this year’s Celebration gala at Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom along with Caryl M. Stern, and Bill McDermott. As a special treat, the evening featured a special concert with Nile Rodgers & Chic with Chaka Khan.
The night which was attended by more than 500 guests kicked off with a star-studded red carpet and cocktail hour, speeches, dinner, and an exciting live auction raising more than $250,000.
The raised funds go towards WAFF’s global youth initiatives, Three Dot Dash and TEDxTeen. These initiatives support, mentor and provide platforms for extraordinary global teens to amplify their social entrepreneurial work that positively impacts communities in more than 60 countries.
Following the auction, Nile Rodgers presented Chaka with the Humanitarian Award. After accepting the award, she joined Nile Rodgers and CHIC for three songs, “Feel For You”, “I’m Every Woman” and “Ain’t Nobody” with a special appearance by Grandmaster Melle Mel.
Nile Rodgers and CHIC played their hits at the end of the night, including their new single “I’ll Be There, and ended with the audience joining the band on stage as they performed “We Are Family” and their signature song, “Le Freak”.
Guests included Nancy Hunt (President, We Are Family Foundation), Chaka Khan (Humanitarian Award recipient; Musical Guest, Singer-Songwriter), Bill McDermott (Visionary Award recipient; President & CEO of SAP), Caryl M. Stern (Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award recipient; President & CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF), Grandmaster Melle Mel (Hip-Hop Artist; Special Musical Guest), Rosanna Scotto (Host; Anchor, Fox Good Day New York), Greg Kelly (Host; Anchor, Fox Good Day New York), Jess Teutonico (Executive Director, We Are Family Foundation), Nicholas Lowinger (Founder, Gotta Have Sole), Ryan Orbuch (Founder, Finish App), Susan Rockefeller (Board of Directors, We Are Family Foundation; Documentary Filmmaker), Nicole and Matthew Mellon (Board of Governors, We Are Family Foundation), Daniel and Ellen Crown (Board of Directors, We Are family Foundation), Tom Silverman (Director Emeritus, We Are Family Foundation; Founder & CEO of Tommy Boy Entertainment), Susan Mufson (Board of Governors, We Are Family Foundation; Activist & Philanthropist), Benjamin Quinto (Board of Governors, We Are Family Foundation; GM Natural-Immunogenics Corp; Founder, Global Youth Action Network), Maria Bartiromo (Fox News Anchor), Donna D’Cruz (Founder of Rasa Living, Meditation Guru & DJ/Performer), Phil Donahue (Media Personality, Host of the Phil Donahue Show), Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner), Inez + Vinoodh (Fashion Photographers), Anthony Mason (Senior Correspondent for Business and Economics for CBS), Q-Tip (Rapper and Music Producer), RZA (Rapper and Music Producer), Denise Rich (Philanthropist), David and Susan Rockefeller (Philanthropist and Past Honorees), and Marlo Thomas (Actress & Philanthropist).
Pictured:
Roger Goodell, Nile Rodgers, Chaka Khan, Bill McDermott