The Black Ball is an annual fundraiser gala for Keep a Child Alive, the non-profit organization which brings dignified treatment, care and support to children and families affected by HIV. Keep a Child Alive's (KCA) Black Ball brings celebrity and philanthropy together to fulfill hopes, dreams and raise funds for children and families affected by HIV in Kenya,

Rwanda Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

Uganda Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the ...

and

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. Hosted by KCA co-founder

Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer and songwriter. A classically trained pianist, Keys began composing songs at the age of 12 and was signed by Columbia Records at 15. After d ...

, this event takes place in New York and has raised over $18.5 million since 2004. The evening features a cocktail party, seated dinner, live auction and unique musical performances and collaborations. The Black Ball is held annually in New York City and has been produced by Empire Entertainment. The Black Ball gala has also been held in London, England in 2008, 2010 and 2011. Every year, artists and other celebrities come together to support and perform to raise funds for the cause. The Black Ball has featured performances from an array of artists including

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

, Bono,

Patti Smith Patricia Lee Smith (born December 30, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, author, and photographer. Her 1975 debut album '' Horses'' made her an influential member of the New York City-based punk rock movement. Smith has fu ...

, Annie Lennox, Mary J. Blige,

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American Rapping, rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, the ...

, John Mayer, Beyonce, Adele,

Justin Timberlake Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and dancer. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Prince of Pop", ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' honored him as the b ...

Carole King Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter and musician renowned for her extensive contributions to popular music. She wrote or co-wrote 118 songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billbo ...

, and Roy Ayers. Activists and philanthropists have also been honored at the Black Ball, including Oprah, former President

Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton (né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician and lawyer who was the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, ...

, Clive Davis, Youssou N'Dour, Sir

Richard Branson Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is an English business magnate who co-founded the Virgin Group in 1970, and controlled 5 companies remaining of once more than 400. Branson expressed his desire to become an entrepreneu ...

, and Bono. According to Keys, the Black Ball held in 2014 raised around 2.4 million dollars.

2012

The 9th Annual KCA Black Ball NY originally scheduled for November 1 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, was rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy. The event was re-envisioned and took place on December 6 at the world-famous Apollo Theater and Emceed by Whoopi Goldberg. Performances were given by Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Angelique Kidjo, Bonnie Raitt and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes . KCA honored the philanthropic work of Oprah Winfrey and Angelique Kidjo.

2011

The 8th Annual KCA Black Ball NY was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on November 3, 2011. Performances were given by Alicia Keys, Usher, Norah Jones, will.i.am, Richie Sambora, Gary Clark Jr, Jay Sean and Midival Punditz with Karsh Kale. KCA honored the spiritual, musical and philanthropic legacy of George Harrison. The event was sponsored by Sachin & Saurbah Foundation, United Airlines and Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits.

2011

The 3rd KCA Black Ball London was held at the Roundhouse on June 15, 2011 and hosted and musically directed by Alicia Keys and Mark Ronson. Performances included Alicia Keys, Mark Ronson, Tinie Tempah, Paloma Faith, Beth Ditto, Kyle Falconer, Spank Rock and the legendary Boy George.

2010

The 7th Annual KCA Black Ball NY was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on September 30, 2010. Performances were given by Alicia Keys, Janelle Monáe, Sade and Jay-Z. The event was sponsored by COVERGIRL, Bing and Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits and produced by Empire Entertainment.

2010

The 2nd Annual KCA Black Ball London was held at St. John's Smith Square in London on May 27, 2010 hosted by Alicia Keys and Thandie Newton. Performances were given by Alicia Keys, Bryan Ferry and Kasabian.

2009

The 6th Annual KCA Black Ball NY was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on October 15, 2009. Performances were given by Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Youssou N'Dour and Chris Martin from Coldplay. KCA honored Sir Richard Branson, President Bill Clinton and Youssou N'Dour. The event was sponsored by ARISE magazine, Moet Hennessy and Google and produced by Obo.

2008

The 5th Annual KCA Black Ball NY was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on November 13, 2008. Performances were given by Alicia Keys,

, Adele, Daughtry, and Emmanuel Jahl. KCA honored Jackie Branfield,

Simon Fuller Simon Robert Fuller (born 17 May 1960) is a British entrepreneur, artist manager, and film and television producer. He is the creator of the Idols (franchise), ''Idols'' TV format, including the British series ''Pop Idol'' and the American ser ...

and Queen Latifah. The event was sponsored by

Condé Nast Condé Nast () is a global mass media company founded in 1909 by Condé Nast (businessman), Condé Montrose Nast (1873–1942) and owned by Advance Publications. Its headquarters are located at One World Trade Center in the FiDi, Financial Dis ...

Media Group and produced by Empire Entertainment.

2008

Keep a Child Alive's Black Ball London premiered at St. John's Smith Square in London on July 10, 2008 hosted by Alicia Keys. Performances from Annie Lennox, Jennifer Hudson, Adele, Damian Marley, Julian Marley & Emmanuel Jal. The event was sponsored by The Sekhar Foundation.

2007

The 4th Annual KCA Black Ball NY was held in New York City on October 25, 2007. Musical performances were given by Gwen Stefani,

Sheryl Crow Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She is noted for her Optimism, optimistic and Idealism, idealistic subject matter, and incorporation of genres including Rock music, rock, Po ...

, Alicia Keys, the Agape Orphanage's children's Choir, and Bono. Honorees included Nick Reding,

Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...

and Dr. Pasquine Ogunsanya,

, and Bono. Amy Sacco teamed with Empire Entertainment to produce the Bungalow 8 Ballroom after party.www.observer.com

2006

The 3rd Annual KCA Black Ball was held in New York City on November 9, 2006. Hosts Alicia Keys and Iman were joined by KCA founder Leigh Blake, emcee Wanda Sykes, and honorees Richard Beckman, Dr. Paul Farmer and Partners in Health, and "Mama" Carol Dyanti. Musical performances were featured by Alicia Keys, Damian Marley,

Louis XIV LouisXIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 16381 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great () or the Sun King (), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the List of longest-reign ...

, and

, in his last public performance before his death in 2016.

2005

The 2nd Annual KCA Black Ball was held in Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on November 3, 2005. Alicia Keys performed songs with John Mayer,

Common Common may refer to: As an Irish surname, it is anglicised from Irish Gaelic surname Ó Comáin. Places * Common, a townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland * Boston Common, a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts * Cambridge Com ...

Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter known for his solo work and his collaborations with Art Garfunkel. He and Garfunkel, whom he met in elementary school in 1953, came to prominence in the 1960s as Sim ...

and the Children of Agape, Baaba Maal, Usher, Angelique Kidjo, Femi Kuti, and Bono.

2004

The First Annual KCA Black Ball (then known as the Pusher's Ball) was held at the Angel Orensanz Center on December 1, 2004 in New York City.

References

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