Grammy Winning artist John Legend headlined The Palm Out for Poverty “POP” Festival, Monday, October 4th, sponsored by All for Africa, a charity that funds economic and social projects in African communities.
Proceeds from the event, held in New York City at Slate, on W. 21st St., in Manhattan, will fund the planting of one million palm trees that will generate 700 million dollars in sustainable projects all across the continent.
Joining celebrity guest Legend were Gbenga Akinnagbe, who stars in the hit HBO series “The Wire,” and Fox’s “Fringe,” Phillip Bloch and Jeff Johnson of BET, Angelique Kidjo and Sahr Ngaujah, star of the Broadway musical FELA!
Jeffrey Wright form Angels in America and Chef Marcus Samuelsson were also among guests.
Samuelsson is the winner of season two of Bravo TV channel’s Top Chef Masters. He is chef and co-owner of Aquavit restaurant in New York City and C-House Restaurant, in Chicago’s Affinia Hotel.
The even also featured a selection of African foods, beverages, billiards and dancing.
OkayAfrica provided special entertainment including: ?uestlove of The Roots and Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew.
All for Africa takes a collaborative approach to poverty reduction by working with the private sector to foster projects that generate economic and social benefits for the communities in which they are located.
Programs focus on agriculture, clean water, community health, education, energy, environmental impact, micro-financing and skills training/livelihood creation.
The group’s flagship agricultural program, The Palm Out for Poverty, was launched in Sept. 2008, and has planted more than 27,000 oil palm trees in Ghana.
Check out photos from the party; click to enlarge!
