Philanthropy and activism Alicia Keys

keys protesting benjamin chavis in 2002.

keys co-founder , global ambassador of keep child alive, non-profit organization provides medicine families hiv , aids in africa. first inspired take on issue of aids epidemic ever since 8 years old when mother s close friend died disease. keys born during time when aids epidemic gaining lot of attention in united states. keys became protestor @ new york city hall against proposed budget cuts student s education on june, 2002. keys , u2 lead singer bono recorded cover version of peter gabriel , kate bush s don t give , in recognition of world aids day 2005. keys , bono s version of song retitled don t give (africa) reflect nature of charity benefiting. visited african countries such uganda, kenya , south africa promote care children affected aids. work in africa documented in documentary alicia in africa: journey motherland , available in april 2008.

keys has donated frum tha ground up, non-profit organization aids children , teenagers scholarships. performed in philadelphia, pennsylvania, part of worldwide live 8 concerts raise awareness of poverty in africa , pressure g8 leaders take action. in 2005, keys performed on react now: music & relief , shelter storm: concert gulf coast, 2 benefit programs raised money affected hurricane katrina. in july 2007, keys , keith urban performed rolling stones 1969 song gimme shelter @ giants stadium in east rutherford, new jersey @ american leg of live earth concerts.

keys performing @ live earth concert in 2007

keys performed donny hathaway s 1973 song someday ll free @ america: tribute heroes televised benefit concert following september 11 attacks. participated in nobel peace prize concert took place @ oslo spektrum in oslo, norway, on december 11, 2007, along other various artists. recorded theme song democratic presidential nominee barack obama. joined joss stone , jay-z on effort, served theme song obama s campaign. work, keys honored @ 2009 bet awards humanitarian award. keys performed song prelude kiss , retitled send me angel , 2007 album hope haiti now: global benefit earthquake relief telethon in response 2010 haiti earthquake.

on june 7, 2011, keys spoke alongside musician annie lennox @ united nations aids conference in new york. participated in panel titled hiv priorities positive change: in women’s words , in calls on supporting organizations provide treatment , care families affected aids. empowering next generation of women, says, aid in end disease.

in september 2012, featured in campaign called 30 songs / 30 days support half sky: turning oppression opportunity women worldwide, multi-platform media project inspired nicholas kristof , sheryl wudunn s book. in march 2013, keys teamed greater aids launch empowered, new public information campaign reach women in united states hiv/aids. appearing in public service announcement empowered, keys spoke 5 women lives have been affected hiv/aids. in december 2012, keys performed alongside many other native new yorkers in 12-12-12: concert sandy relief benefit victims of hurricane sandy.

the artist s keep child alive foundation organizes annual gala called black ball. every year, artists come , perform raise funds families affected hiv/aids. according keys, black ball held in 2014 raised around 2.4 million dollars. 2016 s black ball featured performances chance rapper, a$ap rocky, pattie smith, , salt-n-peppa.

keys protesting @ women s march in 2017.

in may 2016, keys initiated #nomakeup movement, wrote on lenny before started new album, wrote list of things sick of. , 1 how women brainwashed feeling have skinny, or sexy, or desirable, or perfect. 1 of many things tired of constant judgment of women. constant stereotyping through every medium makes feel being normal size not normal, , heaven forbid if re plus-size. or constant message being sexy means being naked . keys presented movement @ various events, , received range of both complimentary , critical responses.

in july 2016, keys participated in video on taking action against systemic racism in united states titled, 23 ways killed if black in america .

after donald trump s 2017 inauguration, keys protested during women s march on washington. 1 of key speakers, , said want best americans. no hate, no bigotry, no muslim registry. value education, health care, equality. added cares women s equal pay, war, women s rights, , environmental protection. keys sang version of hit song girl on fire.

alicia keys uploaded picture instagram in 2017, in wearing islamic burqa leg showing. criticized having lack of knowledge required method of dress entails, since have been arrested doing in muslim country. because of backlash, promptly removed picture no apologizes , no explanation.

in montréal, on may 27 2017, alicia keys received , shared award ambassador of conscience 2017 amnesty international alongside canadian indigenous rights activists.248