WAFF Annual 06 FinRev

We Are Family Foundation
A Song, A Message, Our Mission
Take a minute to gain some global perspective.
age where technology makes us all virtual
We are a population of 6,726,637,990 (that’s
neighbors, accessible at the click of a button.
billions). We are growing by 222,686 each day.
Isn’t it time we get to know one another?
We are a world of 6,912 living languages, in 195
We are more alike than we are unalike. We eat.
countries, on 1 planet ( that seems to be getting
We breathe. We sleep. We need water to live. We
smaller and smaller ) and that’s the big issue.
are friends, neighbors, children, parents, artists,
I
teachers, leaders...
Our coordinates don’t matter. We live in an
I
I
We are global citizens.
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Contents
Our Mission
The We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to the vision of a global family
by creating and supporting programs that inspire and
educate the next generation about respect, understanding
and cultural diversity—while striving to solve some
of our biggest global problems at the same time.
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Our Mission
A Message from the Founder & Chairman
Our Programs
Three Dot Dash
Just Peace Summit
Three Dot Dash Team
Global Teen Leaders 2008
We Are Family Children’s Music Video
We Are Family Schools
Our Timeline
Our Numbers Count
Board of Directors & Officers
Board of Directors Emeritus
WAFF Team
Board of Governors
We Are Family Honorees
Donors & Supporters
An Inspirational Story
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A Message from the Founder & Chairman
Change is in the air—and it is positive and contagious.
This year the We Are Family Foundation launched
its new yearlong Global Teen Leader Initiative, Three
Dot Dash, inspired by our friend, the late 13-year-old
poet and peacemaker Mattie J.T. Stepanek.
With the help of more than 45 non-profit coalition
partners around the world, we found 30 Global Teen
Leaders (GTLs) from 18 countries on five continents
who are true heroes...changemakers...peacemakers.
Our GTLs have very personal stories that have
shaped their lives, their work and the lives of others:
from teaching first-aid to civilians in conflict areas in
the Middle East, to teaching entrepreneurial skills to
young single mothers in Kenya; from working to put
climate change in school curriculums worldwide, to
advocating for the elimination of modern day slavery.
They speak different languages, come from different
cultures and practice different religions, but they all
have one thing in common—they are young people
making a positive change and creating a more peaceful
society. They live “we are family.”
In March 2008, the GTLs traveled more than 280,000
miles to attend our Just Peace Summit in New York,
which marked the beginning of Three Dot Dash.
We taught them how to tell their stories, use technology
and increase media distribution to help spread
their messages and gain support for their work.
They created their own 30-second Public Service
Announcements that launched on television, YouTube,
Facebook and other online outlets—taking their
messages globally. When they left the Summit we
provided them with a mentor and a stipend to help
continue their work and change the lives of millions.
The Summit was a success by all measures,
including an intangible one—the GTLs became their
own family. Since leaving New York in April 2008, they
have continued to communicate with each other,
working together across continents on new projects
and supporting each other, especially when their
fellow GTLs are in danger in conflict areas like the
Middle East and Africa.
Our 30 GTLs have positively affected the lives of
more than 4 million people worldwide.
With a world of almost 7 billion people,
imagine what it would look like if we were all
changemakers...peacemakers.
We Are Family
Nile Rodgers
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Quinto.
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Our Programs
Three Dot Dash
March 2008 marked the beginning of Three Dot Dash®, a global
program of the We Are Family Foundation designed to recognize
and support the efforts of teen leaders around the world who
are actively working on projects that promote a more peaceful
society by addressing issues related to basic human needs: food,
water, health, shelter, safety, education and the environment.
Three Dot Dash is an innovative year-round leadership and
mentoring program, inspired by the late 13-year-old poet and
peacemaker Mattie J.T. Stepanek. It teaches Global Teen
Leaders (GTLs) between the ages of 13 – 19 how to effectively
“tell their stories” using various forms of media, current
technology and distribution methods to accelerate their leadership potential, advance their projects, mobilize peers and
amplify their work to broader audiences around the world.
GTLs are given the tools to accomplish these objectives at a
weeklong Just Peace Summit held every year to kick off the
initiative. Following the Summit, Three Dot Dash continues to
support the GTLs with a Mentor and stipend for a year to help
further their projects and impact more people worldwide.
In 2008, 30 exceptional GTLs from 18 countries on 5
continents were carefully selected from nominations by the
Three Dot Dash Coalition—made up of 47 international
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other qualified
organizations—and invited to participate in Three Dot Dash
based on a demonstrated track record of leadership in projects
that have significantly addressed one or more basic human
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needs within their communities and/or globally.
The 2008 GTLs’ work addresses a multitude of vital,
prevailing global issues and implements solutions such as
sending first-aid kits to civilians in Iraqi conflict areas;
educating citizens in developing nations about HIV/AIDS;
teaching young single mothers in Kenya entrepreneurial and
agricultural skills; promoting gender equality; and advocating
for climate change education in schools around the world.
Through their world-changing projects and the help of Three
Dot Dash, the 2008 GTLs have already positively impacted the
lives of more than 4 million people around the globe!
In 2009, Three Dot Dash will introduce a brand new class of
extraordinary GTLs. To learn more and to donate to the GTLs’
projects directly, visit www.threedotdash.org.
Peace is possible...
The reality of peace begins
within each one of us,
when we have our basic
needs met. — M AT T I E J . T. S T E PA N E K ,
GGG
JUST PEACE: A MESSAGE OF HOPE
Left: The 2008 Global Teen Leaders with Mattie’s Mom, Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D.
and her service dog Micah at the Just Peace Summit in New York City.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Quinto.
2008 Three Dot Dash Coalition:
92nd Street Y
AFS Intercultural Programs
Alliance for a New Humanity
Americans for Informed Democracy
American Jewish World Service
Anti-Defamation League
Ashoka
Asia Society
Bright Media
buildOn
Children and Broadcasting Foundation for Africa
CHINH
Culture Project
Echoing Green
Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, Inc.
Gibson Foundation
Give to Colombia
Global Kids, Inc.
Global Nomads Group
Global Peace Hut
Global Peace Initiative of Women
Global Youth Action Network
iEarn-USA
IMPACT Repertory Theatre
International Children’s Digital Library Foundation
International Debate Education Association
International Youth Foundation
The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop
Journeys for Peace
Listen Up!
Mattie J.T. Stepanek King Farm Foundation
One World Youth Project
Public-Private Alliance Foundation
Symphonia
TakingITGlobal
The Tomorrow Trust
UN Programme on Youth
UNA-USA
UNESCO
Urban Farming
US Fund for UNICEF
Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship
WITNESS
Workers World Media Productions
Youth Bridge-NY
Youth Media Exchange
Youth Service America
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Our Programs
Just Peace Summit
Each year, 25 –30 Global Teen Leaders (GTLs) between the
ages of 13 –19 are invited to participate in the yearlong Three
Dot Dash® initiative based on their work addressing basic
human needs: food, water, health, shelter, safety, education
and the environment.
A weeklong Just Peace Summit kicks off Three Dot Dash
each year. It is designed to provide the tools GTLs need to
further their work and amplify their messages globally. The
name “Just Peace” comes from our inspiration, Mattie J.T.
Stepanek’s book, Just Peace: A Message of Hope.
The Summit provides an environment for GTLs to:
G Share their experiences, get to know each other and create
a worldwide network.
G Learn how to “tell their stories” via multiple media
vehicles and distribution methods taught by influential
figures from the worlds of film, photography, music, media
and communications.
G Collaborate on the creation of a multi-platform,
multi-lingual Public Service Campaign, promoting their
work and encouraging millions to replicate their positive
messages and become involved.
G Meet and work with Three Dot Dash Mentors who will
collaborate with them for one year following the Summit to
map out strategies and create action plans to further the
GTLs’ projects.
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Although we are
indeed diverse, we are
still alike, and our goals
and inspirations towards
ultimate peace remain
strong, when we are
united. — S A R A H , 2 0 0 8 G T L , 1 6 , S R I L A N K A
GGG
The inaugural Just Peace Summit was held March 29– April 4,
2008 in New York City and brought together 30 carefully selected
Global Teen Leaders (GTLs) from 18 countries on 5 continents,
whose remarkable projects addressed basic human needs in a
variety of effective, creative ways.
The GTLs learned how to “tell their stories” at the Summit
from such influential storytellers as award-winning writer and
journalist Sebastian Junger; award-winning photojournalist Teun
Voeten; Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Jamal Joseph;
global youth activists Benjamin Quinto, Derrick Ashong and
Kimmie Weeks; bestselling authors Ishmael Beah and Ian
Stewart; and Jeni Stepanek, mother of Mattie J.T. Stepanek;
among many others.
Ninety-five Three Dot Dash Public Service Announcements
(PSAs) were written and filmed at the Summit, featuring
the GTLs and their projects, and the new “Three Dot Dash”
song written and performed by Harlem’s own Academy
Award-nominated IMPACT Repertory Theatre with
Nile Rodgers.
With the support of 47 Coalition Partners, 318 team members
and 44 Mentors, WAFF accomplished its goal of arming 30
exceptional GTLs with a wealth of information, new friendships
and the ambition to continue “forthward”—proving that peace
is possible!
For more information about the Just Peace Summit, Three
Dot Dash and the PSAs, visit www.threedotdash.org.
Opposite Left: The 2008 Global Teen Leaders on the first day of the
Just Peace Summit. Collectively they traveled 286,362 miles to attend
the Summit in New York City. Right: Ishmael Beah, best selling author of
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, speaks at the Just Peace
Summit Opening Reception. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Quinto.
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Our Three Dot Dash Team
Speakers
Derrick Ashong
Tom Barritt
Ishmael Beah
Meredith Davenport
Rick Fernandes
Sacajawea Hall
Jamal Joseph
Sebastian Junger
Tod Martin
Annabel Monaghan
Nile Rodgers
Danny Schechter
Matthew Septimus
Tom Silverman
Jeni Stepanek
Caryl Stern
Ian Stewart
Wade Thompson
Teun Voeten
Kimmie Weeks
Elisabeth Wolfe
Facilitators
Deborah Batiste
Robert Galinsky
Michelle Posadas
Benjamin Quinto
Volunteers
Jesse Averna
Amy Baker
Marc Birnbach
Jenn Britton
Lillian Chege
Dori Cohen
Sarah Cox
Sky Dietrich
Darlene Dwyer
Donna Fedus
Susan Mufson Finkelstein
Danielle Giambattista
Michele Houlihan
Tina Huang
Clint Jarrett
Oliver Jevremov
Asim Khan
Chris Kindred
Betsy Kotcher
Greg Kotcher
Marcus Lehmann
Oscar Lyde
Maria Makara
Patrick Rinn
Danielle Rozdzielski
James Sabatini
Eulogia Septimo
Courtney Smelter
David & Laurel Snyder
Kim Sykes
Producers
Christine Creter
Eva Nagorski
Benjamin Quinto
Photos courtesy of Benjamin Quinto.
We Are Family
Foundation
Devin Cox
Greg Ferraiolo
Nancy Hunt
Lauren Lewis
Sooze Plunkett-Green
Sarah Sattin
Artists & Performers
Alex Arcadia
Creation
Headshop Guerillas
IMPACT Repertory Theatre
Jim “Mosaic Man” Powers
Chef
Don Pintabona
Curriculum
Deborah Batiste
Film Director
Rick Fernandes
Public Relations
Ketchum
This year, 30
Global Teen
Leaders (GTLs)
from 18 countries
on 5 continents
were carefully
selected and
invited to
participate in
the 2008 Three
Dot Dash initiative
based on their
efforts to promote
ALICIA
Age 17, Mexico
ANUM
Age 18, United States
BUBUNUR
Age 18, Kyrgyzstan
DAVID Z.
Age 18, Colombia
D E VA N S H
Age 14, India
DYL A N
Age 12, United States
EMILIO
Age 18, Argentina
Alicia helps youth reflect on
issues of peace, tolerance and
nonviolence with “Peace
Through Art,” a series of free
painting workshops, as well
as “Good News,” a newspaper
that focuses on positive
experiences and role models.
Anum created a student club,
“Spread The Peace,” which is
committed to raising awareness
about global problems and
advocating for policy change and
social responsibility worldwide.
Bubunur works with juvenile
prisoners to facilitate their
re-entry into everyday
society with her project
“Jashtar Kuchu-El Kuchu”
(“Strong Youth-Strong Nation”
in Kyrgyz).
David facilitates reconciliation
and social integration
of demobilized Colombian
combatants.
Devansh creates short films
that promote awareness
about environmental and
children’s issues.
Dylan created “Lil’ MDGs,” a
network to educate, inspire and
empower youth to help achieve
the eight U.N. Millennium
Development Goals, including
halving extreme poverty
and stopping the spread of
HIV/AIDS by 2015.
Emilio built a youth center
out of two abandoned train cars
that bridges the very rich
and very poor sections of
his local community in
Argentina with his project
“Un Vagón Hermoso”
(“Beautiful Wagon” in Spanish).
CONSOLÉE
Age 17, Rwanda
CRISTIAN
Age 18, Dominican Republic
DAVID S.
Age 15, England
ERIN
Age 14, South Africa
FRIDA
Age 15, Mexico
JANET
Age 17, United States
JOSEPHINE
Age 18, Kenya
Consolée is the leader of
“Youth Club,” a Rwandan youth
organization that raises awareness
about HIV/AIDS, sexual violence,
gender equality, human rights and
reconciliation through education,
the arts, debates, workshops
and income generation.
Cristian distributes school
supplies to underprivileged
children in the
Dominican Republic.
David builds awareness of
climate change and carbon
emissions in the United Kingdom
with his project “Footprints
to Nature.”
Erin is the Co-Founder of
“The Chaeli Campaign,” a
not-for-profit organization
dedicated to mobilizing
the minds and
bodies of children with
disabilities in South Africa.
Frida initiates youth dialogue
through “I-Peace,” which
brings video conferences to
students all over the world to
demonstrate that people are
more alike than unalike.
Janet works to educate the
public about the global issue of
human trafficking with her work
as President of “Student
Abolitionists Stopping Slavery”
and Director of “Ahava Kids
Youth Advisory Board.”
Josephine created “NJAA
MARAFUKU Project”—“Eradicating
Hunger” in Swahili—to help young
mothers and other less fortunate
girls generate income and improve
their nutritional standards
through entrepreneurial and
agricultural skills.
a more peaceful
society by actively
working on
projects that
address issues
related to the
basic human
needs of food,
water, health,
shelter, safety,
education and
the environment.
GTL photos courtesy of Benjamin Quinto.
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KHOU LOU D
Age 18, Israel
LUKE
Age 14, United States
MAHISHKA
Age 16, Sri Lanka
MAHMOUD
Age 16, Palestine
RYA N
Age 18, South Africa
SAIDZHAN
Age 17, Kyrgyzstan
SARAH
Age 16, Sri Lanka
SEBASTIAN
Age 18, Canada
Khouloud helps Arab, Jewish
and Palestinian families visit sick
relatives and distribute food
and clothing to families in need
in Israel’s hospitals.
Luke is the National Goodwill
Ambassador for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association and seeks
to motivate people everywhere
to accept who they are
and find peace and hope in
their daily lives.
Mahishka’s project “Learn and
Lead” works to empower
children from conflict and
poverty-stricken areas in Sri
Lanka by promoting attitudinal
changes and personality development to create a community
of youth leaders.
Mahmoud created
“Young Reporters Across
Borders,” which uses
journalism as a tool to
advocate for children, the
needy and an end to the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
Ryan organized youth in South
Africa to set the Guinness World
Record for the largest canned
food construction ever built in
an effort to increase awareness
of hunger issues worldwide
and feed thousands.
Saidzhan created “Kids
Helping Kids,” an organization
that helps to promote the
participation of children with
disabilities in society through
summer camps that provide an
inclusive system of education
and leadership training.
Sarah created “BUMP IT OFF!
Planet Earth,” a community
service project designed to
address and meet the U.N.
Millennium Development Goals
and improve health standards
and sanitation in Sri Lanka.
Sebastian provides sports
equipment and training to
Uganda’s youth to promote
cooperation, health, self-confidence
and recreation to those living
in poverty and war-torn
regions with his project
“Bavubuka All*Sports”
MOUSA
Age 16, Jordan
OMPHILE
Age 16, Botswana
PEGGY
Age 17, Kenya
PRANAV
Age 17, India
SEJAL
Age 16, United States
SI DDHARTH
Age 15, India
STELLA
Age 19, Tanzania
TA R A
Age 17, United States
Mousa began “The First Aid
Link” to provide first-aid kits
and instructions to Iraqis
in conflict areas and conduct
training seminars on nursing
and basic first-aid.
Omphile founded “Join Hands
Against Malaria” to distribute
mosquito nets to villages and
educate citizens about malaria
in hopes of a malaria-free
Botswana by 2016.
Peggy created “OKOA WASICHANA
Program”—“Save Girls” in Swahili
—which aims to improve the social
and economic status of adolescent
girls by spreading information
about reproductive health and
sexual rights, while also
empowering them with life skills.
Pranav was one of the founding
member and editors of
“YOUTHORIAA,” a newsletter
that addresses adolescent and
youth issues, including life skills,
substance abuse, peer pressure,
sexual and mental health,
HIV/AIDS and smoking.
Sejal founded “Girls Helping Girls,”
a not-for-profit organization with
a mission to unite girls worldwide
to identify and confront universal
issues, therefore igniting a
global revolution that changes the
way girls are perceived.
Siddharth created “Aasha”—
“Hope” in Hindi—to build peace
and abolish poverty among the
poor and uneducated of India by
providing them with education
and sanitation facilities.
Stella created the “Rafiki Club”—
“Friendship” in Kiswahili—to
educate and raise community
awareness about poverty, disease
and gender equality through the
use of dramatic arts.
Tara founded “Turn Your World
Around” an organization that works
to provide all youth—regardless of
sex, race or religion—with the
opportunity to reach their full
potential by meeting their basic
human needs, as well as increase
youth volunteerism across the globe.
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Our Programs
We Are Family Children’s Music Video
For the first time in history, 17 top entertainment companies
united in the spirit of “we are family.” They generously
donated music and more than 100 children’s television
characters to appear together in a three-minute music video for
children promoting the message of a global family – on
an “interspecies” level.
In January 2002, under the supervision of Nile Rodgers
and Christopher Cerf—award-winning children’s TV/music
producer—the children’s version of “We Are Family” was
recorded with characters from programs such as Arthur,
Barney, Bear in the Big Blue House, Between the Lions, Blues
Clues, Bob the Builder, The Book of Pooh, Clifford the Big
Red Dog, Dora the Explorer, Dragon Tales, Jimmy Neutron,
The Muppet Show, Oswald, Rugrats, Sesame Street,
SpongeBob SquarePants, Zoom and many more. Additional
special guest appearances included Bill Cosby, Whoopi
Goldberg and Diana Ross.
The value of this collaboration is incalculable, from the
sheer financial worth to the power and impact of a unified
message sent by organizations that are normally competitors.
In February 2002, the music video was chosen to be part of
the official Olympic Village Exhibit at the Salt Lake City Winter
Olympics. It also inspired the Children’s Museum of Utah
to create an exhibit entitled We Are Family: Celebrating and
Honoring the Human Spirit, which premiered during the
Olympic Games.
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On March 11, 2002, the six-month anniversary of 9/11, the
video aired in its entirety as a Public Service Announcement
(PSA), simulcast on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and PBS.
It continues to air as a PSA today.
In 2003, the music video was included in a Court TV special,
entitled Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate, a
television education initiative for elementary school-aged
children promoting tolerance. It received two Beacon Awards
from the Cable Television Public Affairs Association honoring
the year’s best public affairs initiatives. To date, Empowering has
reached over eight million viewers via Cable in the Classroom and
continues to serve as a classroom resource to over 60,000
schools nationwide.
In 2004, new characters were added, and a We Are Family
Teacher’s Guide was developed by the Anti-Defamation
League’s (ADL) A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute for grades
K-6. Together, the music video and teacher’s guide became We
Are Family: A Musical Message For All, a new educational DVD
program designed to teach tolerance in elementary schools.
In 2005, WAFF donated 58,000 copies of the DVD to public
and private elementary schools in the United States.
In 2006, WAFF donated 2,700 copies of the DVD to National
Head Start Association programs nationwide. FedEx generously
shipped the DVDs for both initiatives gratis.
In 2007, WAFF donated DVDs to The Children’s Health
Fund’s (CHF ) mobile medical units for their patients and
families in 19 states across the country.
The “We Are Family”
children’s music video
teaches children what
adults often forget.
We are, in fact, a global
family. And only through
confidence, understanding,
communication and respect
can we make the world
a better place. – B I L L C O S BY
GGG
Above: We Are Family: A Musical Message for All early childhood educational
DVD was sent out to more than 58,000 public and private U.S. elementary
schools in 2005 and 2,700 National Head Start Association programs
in 2006, delivered free courtesy of FedEx; In 2007, WAFF donated the
DVDs to The Children’s Health Fund’s mobile medical units.
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Our Programs
In educating someone,
you open his eyes on
the world and show him
the path of development.
From now on this will
be the hope of our
community. – A L I TA N G A R A , 3 9 , FA R M E R ,
GGG
D I A KO R O B A , M A L I , A F R I C A
We Are Family Schools
Approximately 1 billion people in the world today are illiterate.
That’s 26 percent of the world’s adult population! Women
make up two-thirds of all non-literates, and 98 percent of
non-literates live in developing countries, greatly increasing
the gap between developed and developing nations each day.
WAFF is doing something about it.
WAFF partnered with buildOn (formerly Building with Books)
in 2003 to build the first We Are Family School in Mali, Africa,
which has a nationwide illiteracy rate of 76 percent.
With the help of generous donors, WAFF has funded a total
of 16 schools in four countries that have already provided an
education to more than 3,200 students—boys AND girls—living
in largely illiterate communities that have either never had a
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school, or are in desperate need of a new school, making the
impact of each one enormous.
But the We Are Family Schools affect more than just the
people from the villages. WAFF also sponsors small groups of
U.S. high school students to make the overseas trek to help
build the schools. For two weeks, the students live with the
villagers, become part of the culture, challenge their own beliefs
and attitudes, and contribute to the community. These cultural
exchanges have life-changing impacts on both the U.S. students
and villagers in addition to thousands of future villagers who
will receive accessible education in the coming years.
Visit www.wearefamilyfoundation.org to see all the We Are
Family Schools on Google Earth. And, while you are there, help
build a school with your friends and family—all the information
is on the site. You have the power to change lives.
School Location:
Nepal, South Asia
Mali, Africa
Diakoroba, Mali, Africa
Thimbi, Malawi, Africa
N’tonfala, Mali, Africa
Kondjila, Mali, Africa
Diarrala, Mali, Africa
Banko, Mali, Africa
Diadoubala, Mali, Africa
Fandala, Mali, Africa
Diamkole, Mali, Africa
Kegnerela, Mali, Africa
Kokodio, Mali, Africa
Kankalena, Mali, Africa
Maderas Negras, Nicaragua, Central America
Siriba-Tiema, Mali, Africa
Completed:
Coming in 2009
Coming in 2009
June 2008
March 2008
June 2007
June 2007
May 2007
May 2007
July 2006
April 2006
March 2006
March 2006
April 2005
January 2005
September 2004
June 2004
Opposite left to right: U.S. high school students digging sand with
villagers to create cinder blocks for the school’s foundation; More
than 3,000 handmade cinder blocks air-drying. Above: Excited
children in front of the We Are Family Peter Gabriel School in Thimbi,
Malawi. All photos courtesy of buildOn.
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Our Timeline
September 22, 2001.
More than 100 celebrities
come together 11 days after 9/11
to re-record “We Are Family”
in New York City and start the
healing process.
September 22, 2001.
Montel Williams, Nile
Rodgers and Spike Lee
at the NYC recording
session. Spike Lee
filmed and directed the
“We Are Family” music
video that aired on
VH1 and BET.
September 23, 2001.
Nile Rodgers and Queen Latifah at the
Los Angeles “We Are Family” recording
session, where an additional 100 celebrities
come together to re-record “We Are Family.”
March 11, 2003.
“We Are Family”
children’s music video
airs as a Public Service
Announcement on
Disney Channel,
Nickelodeon and PBS.
October 2001.
Release of the All-Star
version of “We Are Family.”
November 17, 2003.
Nile Rodgers; Henry Schleiff, CEO,
Court TV; and Nane Annan, wife of
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan,
at the United Nations for the
International Day of Tolerance
education initiative, We Are Family:
Educating Our Children for a
Safer World.
Fall 2003.
U.S. students trek to Mali,
Africa to build the first
We Are Family School.
Courtesy of Court TV
Courtesy of buildOn
2001
Coming Together
2002
2003
Growing a Foundation
2004
Courtesy of buildOn
January 2002.
The Making and
Meaning of We Are Family, a
documentary of the 2001
“We Are Family” re-recording
sessions, is chosen as an
Official Selection of the 2002
Sundance Film Festival.
February 2002.
“We Are Family” children’s music
video is part of the official
Olympic Village Exhibit at the 2002
Salt Lake City Olympics.
January 2002.
Nile Rodgers and more than 100 children’s
television characters record their version
of “We Are Family” for a three-minute
children’s music video.
July 28, 2002.
WAFF honors Mattie J.T. Stepanek as the
first recipient of the Peacemaker Award
for his significant contribution in promoting
a peaceful society.
Spring 2004.
Students in their new
We Are Family School
in Kankelena Village,
Mali, Africa.
March 2004.
Nile Rodgers leads a panel discussion
at NYU on WAFF’s college lecture
tour series, “American Culture in
the World,” co-produced with
Americans for Informed Democracy.
September 2004.
WAFF and Culture Project produce
off-Broadway production White
Chocolate, a satire of two society
patrons whose skin turns from
white to black overnight.
Nothing I’ve ever seen in my life
lifts the spirit like song. — N I LE RO D G E R S
GGG
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Our Timeline
March 2005.
We Are Family: A Musical
Message for All early
childhood educational
DVD is sent to more
than 58,000 public and
private U.S. elementary
schools, delivered free
courtesy of FedEx.
2005
March 10, 2005.
Nile Rodgers and Caryl Stern,
COO, ADL at Public School 87
for the national press conference
and launch of We Are Family:
A Musical Message for All
educational program.
January 2006.
We Are Family: A Musical
Message for All educational
DVD program is sent
to more than 2,700
National Head Start
Association programs.
Spring 2007.
An additional four
We Are Family Schools
are built in Mali, Africa.
January 2007.
WAFF presents at UNESCO’s
Power of Peace Global Forum
in Bali, Indonesia.
March 2007.
WAFF presents at The 5th
World Summit on Media for
Children 2007 in Johannesburg,
South Africa.
May 15, 2007.
Mattie’s Movie & Poetry Slam
is the subject of a New York Times
feature article.
Courtesy of buildOn
Forming Impressions
2006
Building Schools
Courtesy of buildOn
2007
Focusing on Peace
Courtesy of Lollipop Theater Network
Courtesy of John Newton
April 2006.
Actress Amanda Bynes
visits a patient during a
Mattie’s Movie & Poetry
Slam at Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles.
22
Spring 2006.
Four more We Are Family Schools
are built in Mali, Africa.
May 2006.
Young patient with
Reflections of a
Peacemaker by Mattie J.T.
Stepanek at a Mattie’s
Movie & Poetry Slam.
Fall 2007.
Paul Simon’s Children’s Health Fund (CHF)
and WAFF collaborate to distribute
We Are Family: A Musical Message for All
educational DVDs to families treated in
CHF mobile medical units nationwide.
Winter 2007.
WAFF selects 30 Global Teen
Leaders (GTLs) to participate in the
2008 Three Dot Dash initiative
and attend the Just Peace summit.
October 2007.
WAFF President, Nancy Hunt,
presents at the AFS Intercultural
Programs’ World Peace Forum
at Columbia University.
The Just Peace Summit was the only week of my life I was able
to see the whole world in one room. — S E B A S T I A N RO B E RTS , 2 0 0 8 G T L , 1 8 , C A N A DA
GGG
23
Our Timeline
Spring 2008.
WAFF builds two We Are Family
Schools and funds two more,
expanding the program to Malawi,
Africa and Nepal, South Asia,
bringing the total to 16 schools.
March 29, 2008.
WAFF welcomes 30 Global Teen Leaders
(GTLs) from 18 countries on 5 continents
to the inaugural Three Dot Dash
Just Peace Summit in New York City.
March 2008.
Nile Rodgers performs his hit song with
the Costa Rican Youth Symphony for the
“We Are Family” themed evening at
Deepak Chopra’s Alliance for a New
Humanity Human Forum in Costa Rica.
January/February 2009.
WAFF presents “31 Days of PSAs,”
a Three Dot Dash Public Service
Announcement online campaign
highlighting the work of each of
our 2008 Global Teen Leaders.
January 2009.
WAFF launches a new web site and online
awareness campaign to promote
"we are family" to millions around the globe.
Spring 2009.
WAFF launches the new online Marketplace,
so that others can Wear WAFF and
show their support for our message.
www.wearefamilyfoundation.org/marketplace
Courtesy of Benjamin Quinto
Courtesy of buildOn
Courtesy of Benjamin Quinto
Expanding Programs
2008
Empowering Teens
2009
Spreading the Message
March
2010
Courtesy of Benjamin Quinto
Courtesy of buildOn
Spring 2008.
GTLs create 95 Public Service
Announcements with Emmy
Award-winning Director Rick Fernandes.
Spring 2009.
Efforts begin to officially designate
a National We Are Family Day to be
observed each year on March 11th.
April 4, 2008.
Jeni Stepanek and GTLs David Z. of
Colombia and Mousa of Jordan appear
on a 10-minute CNN International
interview to discuss Three Dot Dash
with commentator Isha Sesay.
Spring 2008.
Nile Rodgers and Harlem’s
Oscar-nominated IMPACT
Repertory Theatre record the
new “Three Dot Dash” song.
24
April 28, 2008.
GTLs introduce Three Dot Dash
at the Sixth Annual WAFF
Gala Celebration.
Coming Soon.
Two We Are Family Schools will be built
in Nepal, South Asia and Mali, Africa.
Coming Soon.
Three Dot Dash continues with
the next Just Peace Summit and
another group of Global Teen Leaders
who are actively changing the
lives of thousands.
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our numbers count . . .
200
celebrities gathered together
to re-record “We Are Family”
11 days after September 11th
10
16
17
286,362
minute standing ovation received at
the 2002 Sundance Film Festival
screening of The Making and Meaning
of We Are Family documentary
We Are Family Schools funded in Mali and Malawi, Africa;
Nicaragua, Central America; and Nepal, South Asia
3,228
students have attended
We Are Family Schools since the
first school was built in 2004
top entertainment companies donated
their music and characters for the
“We Are Family” children’s music video
miles traveled by 30 Global Teen Leaders from
18 countries and 5 continents to attend the 2008
Three Dot Dash Just Peace Summit in New York City
26
100
58,000
children’s television characters united
to re-record “We Are Family” to
promote the concept of a global family
on an “interspecies” level
public and private elementary schools
nationwide received a free copy of We Are
Family: A Musical Message for All DVD
10
million viewers watched the
“We Are Family” children’s music
video PSA on Disney Channel,
Nickelodeon and PBS
4,000,ooo+
95
people already impacted by the efforts
of 30 Global Teen Leaders, who are
actively working on projects that
promote a more peaceful society
by addressing basic human needs
Public Service Announcements (PSA s) created by 30 Global
Teen Leaders for the international Three Dot Dash Campaign
. . . and count . . . and count.
27
Board of Directors & Officers
Nile Rodgers, Founder and Chairman
Nancy Hunt, President
Christopher Cerf, Vice President
Daniel Crown, Secretary
Four-time Grammy nominee Nile Rodgers is
Nancy Hunt has served as President of the
Christopher Cerf is an author, record and
Coming from a family with a rich tradition of
one of the most enduring and prolific artists
We Are Family Foundation since its inception
television producer, composer-lyricist, editor,
philanthropy, Daniel, along with his wife Ellen,
in the music business. In 1977, he and his
in 2002. Prior to that, she was the Executive
humorist, and Co-Founder and President of
continues that legacy with honor. He serves
late partner, Bernard Edwards, created the
Producer of the original 2001 “We Are Family”
the educational television production company,
on the Board of a number of worthy and
group CHIC, whose number-one hit “Le Freak” remains Warner Bros.’
celebrity recording as well as the Executive Producer of We Are
Sirius Thinking, Ltd., where he serves as Co-Executive Producer of
prestigious organizations, including Lenox Hill Hospital, Manhattan
biggest-selling single of all time. Rodgers has produced, written or
Family: A Musical Message for All children’s music video. Before
Between the Lions and Lomax, the Hound of Music. Cerf has won
Eye Ear & Throat Hospital, The Allen-Stevenson School, The Jerusalem
played for some of the greatest artists in the business, including
her work with the Foundation, Hunt co-founded Smock Media, Inc.,
three Emmys and two Grammys for his contributions to Sesame
Foundation, The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s Greater
Madonna, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Sting,
an art-based media company, and Notorious Entertainment, an
Street; was a Senior Editor at Random House where he worked on
New York Chapter, Central Synagogue and the Mount Sinai Children’s
Duran Duran, the B-52’s and Joss Stone. As artist, producer or
upscale urban brand with media icon Sean “Diddy” Combs. She
Beginner Books, edited by Dr. Seuss; and was a charter contributing
Center Foundation. He is also a Trustee at the New York Foundling
writer, Rodgers is responsible for the sales of more than 100 million
has also served as Director of Marketing for eyewear licensees,
editor of National Lampoon. He recently won his third Grammy for
Hospital. A native of Chicago, Daniel has been a resident of New
records—including his world-famous “We Are Family,” which he
including Revlon, Crayola and Chevrolet. She is an award-winning
Thanks & Giving All Year Long co-produced with Marlo Thomas, and
York for more than 20 years. He and Ellen are the parents of four
co-wrote with Edwards. Rodgers is currently the only African-American
photographer and holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
co-edited the book version. He also co-produced Marlo Thomas &
children and split their time between New York and Connecticut.
to own a national music distribution company. He also serves on the
Friends’ Free to Be...A Family book, album and television special. Cerf
board of Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. (CPTV/WNPR).
co-authored Mission Accomplished (or How We Won the War in Iraq )
with Victor S. Navasky, which was a national bestseller in 2008.
Warren Rosen, Vice Chairman
Lauren Lewis, Executive Vice President
Mark Barondess, Esq.
Lauren Lewis is a producer, writer, teacher,
A lawyer for more than 22 years, Mark
and entertainment attorney who has
Warren Rosen is the Founder of Rosen and
developed and produced several Emmy
Companies of NY, a leading Insurance and
Award-winning educational television series
Michael H. Levine, Ph.D., Treasurer
Barondess has earned a reputation as an
aggressive civil advocate in Washington,
Dr. Levine oversees the Joan Ganz Cooney
D.C. and Los Angeles, CA. Barondess is a
Estate Planning firm. Warren is recognized
and multimedia brands. She began her work with WAFF in a legal
Center’s efforts to catalyze and support
as a leader and Advisory Board Chair, a
capacity on the We Are Family: A Musical Message for All children’s
research, innovation and investment in
Angeles. He currently represents the interests of CNN broadcasting
recipient of countless industry awards, and has often been quoted
music video. Prior to joining WAFF full-time, she worked for WGBH as
educational media technologies for young
giant Larry King and his affiliated companies as his general
by periodicals including The New York Times and The Wall Street
Asset & Contract Manager for the PBS children’s literacy TV series
children. Dr. Levine previously served as Vice President of New
counsel, and has also represented sports legends, presidential
Journal. The tragic events of 9/11, in which Warren lost over 50
Between the Lions. She was also a legal consultant to the writers of
Media and Executive Director of Education for Asia Society,
candidate Robert Dole, and numerous former Senators and
clients, inspired him to become a more active philanthropist. In 2007
the NBC-TV soap opera Another World. In addition to her television
managing the global nonprofit organization’s interactive media and
members of Congress. Barondess serves on the Board of Directors
he received the U.S. Doctors for Africa Global Citizen Award for
experience, she has produced large-scale training conferences and
educational initiatives. Dr. Levine has been a frequent adviser to
of the Larry King Cardiac Foundation and as General Counsel for
Social Philanthropy. He continues to support numerous charities
educational materials for pharmaceutical clients such as Pfizer,
the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for Public
the Larry King Cardiac Foundation. He also serves on the Board of
across the globe. His most recent venture, Legacyoptions.org,
AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Forest Laboratories, Biogen Idec,
Broadcasting, and is currently a Senior Associate at the Edward Zigler
Governors of the Anti-Defamation League and as a member of the
creates modern solutions for Charitable Planned Giving.
Elan Corporation, TAP Pharmaceuticals and Teva Neuroscience.
Center in Child Development and Social Policy at Yale University.
Board of Ambassadors of Project Restore at Johns Hopkins University.
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founding partner of the firm Miller Barondess, LLP located in Los
29
Board of Directors & Officers
Judith E. Glaser, CEO,
Norma C. Ramsey, Director,
Caryl M. Stern, President and CEO,
Benchmark Communications, Inc.
The Ramsey Foundation
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
Judith E. Glaser is a sought-after consultant
Norma C. Ramsey is the Director of The
Caryl was appointed President and CEO
and bestselling author of Creating We and
Ramsey Foundation, a private charitable
of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in May 2007
The DNA of Leadership, and is a keynote
foundation dedicated to children, education
speaker with a revolutionary approach to transforming the
and healthcare. Ms. Ramsey is involved with many charitable causes
Officer in the fall of 2006. Before coming to the U.S. Fund, she
workplace. She founded Benchmark Communications, Inc. in 1980
and serves as a trustee of the Inova Health System Foundation
served as Chief Operating Officer of the Anti-Defamation League
with the mission of working with CEOs and their teams to help
Board, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, The
(ADL) following many years as Education Director and Director of
Generally, I’m proud
to be a human being.
And I accept the fact that
human beings are more
alike than we are unalike.
focus leaders around new challenges. In 2007 she launched The
Larry King Cardiac Foundation, The Wolf Trap Foundation and The
ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute. Caryl has also served as
— D R . M AYA A N G E LO U , WA F F G A L A , A P R I L 1 8 , 2 0 0 5
Creating WE Institute to expand her work globally. Her clients
Potomac School in McLean, Virginia. In 2004, she was awarded the
an advisor to education and anti-bias initiatives around the globe,
include Pfizer, Coach, Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Estee Lauder and
Larry King “Spirit of Life Award.” A Maryland native, Ms. Ramsey
as well. In 2001, she was honored as one of “25 Moms We Love”
more. She was awarded Business Woman of the Year in New York
attended the University of Maryland and is a member of Kappa
by Working Mother magazine. Caryl currently serves on the
City in 2004 and was inducted into the Temple University Gallery
Delta Sorority and Phi Kappa Phi.
Martin Luther King Memorial Foundation Board.
after first joining the staff as Chief Operating
GGG
of Success in 2007. She has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show,
ABC, FOX TV, MSNBC, CNN and more, and has been quoted in
The New York Times, WSJ and Financial Times. Creating We won
the 2008 Bronze AXIOM Business Book Awards in leadership.
Victoria Goldman, Author
James J. Spanfeller,
Richard E. Stierwalt, President & CEO,
President & CEO, Forbes.com
United Benefits & Pension Services, Inc.
Jim Spanfeller is President and CEO of
Richard E. Stierwalt is the President and
Forbes.com and oversees the company’s
CEO of United Benefits & Pension Services,
affiliated sites. In 2007, Spanfeller was
Inc., a nationally-focused consolidation
Victoria Goldman is the author of five
recognized by BtoB Media Business in its annual “Who’s Who
of third-party administrators specializing in the Taft-Hartley
editions of The Manhattan Family Guide to
In Business Publishing,” and has been named “Top Innovator in
marketplace. Mr. Stierwalt is a member of the Board of Directors
Private Schools, The Manhattan Directory
Business Publishing,” “Top Interactive Executive for General
and an owner of Saratoga Capital Management, a Mutual Fund
to Private Nursery Schools and one edition
Business Publishers” and “Top 25 Newsmakers” by BtoB magazine.
Investment Advisor. He serves on the Board of Trustees at the
of The Los Angeles Guide to Private Schools. Ms. Goldman is a
During his tenure, Forbes.com landed #4 in BtoB magazine’s
University of Indianapolis and is also a Director of Biomega
contributing writer to The New York Times, Avenue magazine,
annual “Media Power 50” list, and he was also inducted into min’s
Laboratories, a cancer research company, and Harborside Resort,
and has a regular column “Junior Ivy League” in Our Town and
first-ever Digital Hall of Fame. Prior to joining Forbes.com,
a Starwood Bahamian property. He serves on the Advisory Board
The West Side Spirit. She serves on the boards of the Educational
Spanfeller was President of the Consumer Magazine Group of Ziff
of Droplets, Inc., a software development firm and is a Member
Alliance, The Albert G. Oliver Scholarship Program and Riverdale
Davis Media, Inc; Publisher of Inc. magazine and held senior
of the Clinton Global Initiative.
Country School.
positions at Playboy Enterprises Publishing Group and Newsweek.
30
31
Directors Emeritus
Gina B. Legnani, Co-Founder,
WAFF Team
Steven Van Zandt, Producer, Actor, Musician
which in 2005 won a Prime-time Emmy & a Peabody award for
solo artist, record producer and songwriter. As President of Artists
co-producing Classical Baby, an HBO Family series. Prior to Three
We are building
bridges, we are building
bonds between people,
between cultures.
United Against Apartheid, Van Zandt helped to spearhead the
Little Chicks, she worked at The Jim Henson Company, where she
— N A N C Y H U N T, P R E S I D E N T, WA F F
anti-apartheid movement in South Africa with the highly successful
implemented publicity efforts worldwide and worked closely with
“Sun City” project and in 1985, he established the Solidarity Foundation
talent, namely Frank Oz. After 10 years at Muppets, she formed her
to work for the rights of indigenous peoples. The United Nations has
own consulting company, where her clients included Disney Channel,
honored him twice for his human rights achievements. He created
PBS Kids Sprout, WGBH Boston, and the Muppets, among others.
and programs two formats on Sirius Satellite Radio, the Underground
Three Little Chicks LLC
Acclaimed musician, human rights activist,
Gina B. Legnani is Co-Founder of Three Little
actor and radio host, Steven Van Zandt
Chicks LLC, a production company specializing
is a founding member of Bruce Springsteen
in the development of children’s programming,
and the E Street Band as well as a noted
GGG
Devin Cox
Program & Relationship Manager
Oliver Jevremov
Media Architect
Garage channel (Rock and Roll) and the Outlaw Country channel
Eva Nagorski
(Country Music). Today he hosts his weekly syndicated radio show,
Three Dot Dash Producer
Little Steven’s Underground Garage, which reaches 1.2 million listeners
Tom Silverman, Founder & CEO,
in North America and airs internationally via the Voice of America.
Tommy Boy Entertainment
The Founder and CEO of Tommy Boy
Entertainment, Tom Silverman has released
Montel Williams, Talk Show Host
CEB
gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums
by artists such as Everlast, Queen Latifah, Coolio, Naughty By
Montel Williams is best known as the
Nature, De La Soul, Digital Underground and House of Pain,
Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show
securing Tommy Boy as one of the most successful independent
host for 17 years, but he wears many hats
music companies in the world. He also created the New Music
Sooze Plunkett-Green
as a successful businessman, author, actor,
Seminar, an alternative music industry gathering, which was the
lecturer and former Naval officer. His current projects include writing
biggest and most important convention in the music industry.
his eighth book, launching a unique international poker business,
He has served on the boards of many organizations, including
and the multi-media wellness program Living Well with Montel.
the RIAA, the American Association for Independent Music, Sound
He continues to serve as the national spokesperson for the PPA,
Exchange, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, NARM, Merlin and the
a program helping over 5 million people receive medications they
Dance Music Hall of Fame.
otherwise couldn’t afford. He is also the Founder of The Montel Williams
Sarah Sattin
Communications & Program Coordinator
MS Foundation, dedicated to eradicating MS.
32
33
Board of Governors
Julius Akinyemi, Resident Entrepreneur, MIT
Julius Akinyemi is the Resident Entrepreneur at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, where he focuses on the Information Economy
in Developing/Emerging nations that will empower people to invent
new opportunities for themselves and their societies. Prior to MIT,
Julius was the Director of Emerging Technologies at PepsiCo Inc.,
responsible for providing innovative business solutions and identifying
new business-enabling technologies. Julius has also served as the
CEO/Founder of Applied Technology Solutions and a member of the
UN ICT Task Force Working Group. In addition, Julius has been the
SVP for Wireless Business Technology at Wells Fargo Bank, managing
its Emerging Technologies Group; and Director of Finance, MIS
and Administration for Pan American World Airways based in Paris,
France. Julius is a native of Nigeria and has an MBA from Ohio
University. He holds an Intellectual Property Patent on “Virtual Private
Message Broker.”
Khaliah Ali
Khaliah Ali, daughter of legend and former heavyweight champion
Muhammad Ali, is a successful fashion designer and author of
Fighting Weight. Ali serves as the National Spokesperson for the Hand
in Hand With Children Campaign, The National Center for Missing
and Exploited Children, and is a board member for such charitable
organizations as Project Sunshine, The Salvation Army’s Soup’s On
and Help USA. She was nominated for a regional Emmy for her
Education is Paramount program and was nominated to run for a seat
in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Johnny Barbis, Acting Senior Advisor, EMI North America
and Manager, Sir Elton John
Johnny Barbis, one of the most trusted and knowledgeable executives
in the music industry, began his career in 1972 at Shelter Records in
radio promotion. He later served in similar capacities at London
Records and Chrysalis Records, as a Vice President at ABC Records,
and as a Senior Executive at Geffen Records before forming his own
film and music marketing company, B&W Marketing. In 1998, he
moved to PolyGram, where he held a number of executive positions
34
such as President & CEO of Chris Blackwell’s legendary Island
Records. During his extensive career, he has worked with such
luminaries as The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, the Bee Gees, Peter
Gabriel, Don Henley, Elton John, Robbie Robertson, U2, Melissa
Etheridge and LL Cool J.
Johanna Bennett
Johanna Bennett, daughter of Tony Bennett, has been immersed in
entertainment and the arts since birth. As a child, she frequently sang
alongside her father onstage. While studying at The Lee Strasberg
Theatre and Film Institute for acting, she landed a role in Goodfellas
and has since then continued her acting career in many off-Broadway,
film and television productions. Johanna received further schooling in
design and art, but decided to switch her focus to real estate, selling
high-end property worldwide with Sotheby’s International Realty.
Having a passion for philanthropy, Johanna is involved with and
fundraises for many not-for-profit organizations including MusiCares
and The Shang-Shung Institute in America.
Glen Ellen Brown, VP, Director of Hearst Brand Development
As Vice President and Director of Hearst Brand Development (HBD) for
Hearst Magazines, Glen Ellen repositioned the division as a national
lifestyle business and expanded Hearst’s magazine brand franchises
across multiple product categories and distribution channels, with
global success in consumer, wireless, entertainment and lifestyle
products. Prior to 2001, Brown was SVP, GM and member of executive
management team of Imix.com, a business-to-business and consumer
site for personalized digital entertainment for marketing, sales,
business development, product development and operations. She has
held a number of senior strategy/brand marketing positions: SVP, at
Kenneth Cole Productions; VP, Consumer Products at MTV; Director of
Marketing, Consumer Products, The Walt Disney Corporation; and VP
at Grey Advertising, Inc. She is a Catalyst Board of Advisors Member
and resides in Manhattan.
Allan Buchman, Producer, Founder & Artistic Director, Culture Project
Buchman began his career as a theater producer when a piano
workshop on East 91st Street was converted to a performance space
in 1991 and the Culture Project was born. Now in it’s third
location, Culture Project has enjoyed many successful productions
including And God Created Great Whales, The Exonerated, Sarah
Jones’ Bridge & Tunnel (which transferred to Broadway), Guantanamo:
Honor Bound to Defend Freedom and Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence
Wright’s My Trip to Al-Qaeda. Culture Project’s dedication to presenting
work that addresses political and social issues has made it a
destination not only for savvy New Yorkers, but also for theatergoers
from around the globe.
Joe DiMaggio Jr., Restaurateur & Restaurant Designer
Chef Joe DiMaggio Jr. is the CEO/Founder of SA ZA Serious Pizza,
Restaurant Innovations & Blazing Foods LLC, and has over 28 years in
the hospitality industry with most of his experience in the high-quality
sector of the restaurant field. Joe studied under acclaimed Chef and
Michelin Recipient, Jacques Maximin, at the Hotel Negresco in Nice,
France. He has acted as spokesperson for the Florida Department of
Citrus and has received over 500 write-ups in publications across
the world. Other notables include many television appearances and
cooking for numerous A-list celebrities. Additionally, his restaurant
in Toronto, The Wet Paint Café, received over 90 articles in the first
60 days of opening and became “the place to be seen.” He has an
attitude that inspires, and a focus and work ethic that translate into
great culinary representations.
Robert Dragotta, President, Airplay America
An award-winning producer of theater and documentary film, Robert
Dragotta is devoted to promoting peace and reconciliation worldwide.
He hosts Action For Change, a program of Initiative Of Change
International each year and has been host to Seeking Common
Ground, which brings Israeli and Palestinian girls together each
summer to better understand each others’ culture and religion. His
film Encounters with Truth, featuring Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson
of Mahatma Gandhi, won several international awards including the
Golden Eagle from CINE. From 1985 to 1998, Dragotta was President
of National Out-of-Home Media Inc. with offices in New York, Chicago,
Los Angeles, London and Budapest. He is currently President of
Airplay America, which owns The Salon Channel, America’s newest
digital media company.
Kelly Ellison, CEO, GotchaGiftRegistry.com
Kelly Ellison has more than 20 years experience working in the
not-for-profit sector as a social entrepreneur. Her work with youth
programs has taken her to Washington, D.C., working with such
organizations as Points of Light Foundation, Foundation of America,
Corporation for National Service, America’s Promise, Youth Service
America and Camp Fire USA, where she served as the VP of Marketing
and Development. She is currently the CEO of GotchaGiftRegistry.com,
an online adoption gift registry service helping adoptive families meet
the financial needs of an adoption. She also serves as a member of
the scholarship selection committee for the Rosalynn Carter Institute’s
Intergenerational Caregivers Scholarship Award.
Susan Mufson Finkelstein, Philanthropist
Susan Mufson Finkelstein is a dedicated humanitarian endeavoring
to make the world a better place by collaborating and partnering
with others to connect diverse people of all races, ages, ideas and
backgrounds. Susan manages a family foundation that awards money
to peace-promoting charities worldwide that expand and empower
youth through performing arts, leadership training and health
education. Susan is also involved with a number of nonprofits that
support the environment and conservation of land. Prior to her focus
in the not-for-profit sector, Susan worked in marketing, pricing and
strategic planning for a variety of telecommunications companies.
Susan received her Bachelor of Science in Business from the
University of Florida and is the proud mother of three children.
Michael Goldstein, Chairman, Israel Discount Bank of New York
Michael Goldstein is the Chairman of the Israel Discount Bank of New
York. Prior to his current position, Mr. Goldstein held the positions of
Chairman of the Toys ‘R’ Us Children’s Fund and CEO & Chairman of
the Board of Toys ‘R’ Us Inc. He has also served as Senior Executive
Vice President, Operations and Finance of Lerner Stores Corporation,
35
Board of Governors
as well as a Partner of Ernst & Young in New York and on the Advisory
Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations for President George W.
Bush. He is currently the Chairman of the 92nd Street Y and serves on
numerous boards.
Laura Bauer Granberry, Director of National Initiatives,
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving
Laura is Director of National Initiatives for the Rosalynn Carter
Institute for Caregiving (RCI) at Georgia Southwestern State
University. Laura has co-authored two of RCI’s signature training
programs, Caring for You, Caring for Me—Education and Support for
Family and Professional Caregivers, 2nd Edition and Caring and
Competent Caregivers: Professionals Helping Families. She has
co-authored journal articles in Health & Social Work (2006) and
Educational Gerontology (2004), and contributed chapters to
two books, Voices of Caregiving (LaChance Publishing, 2008) and
Re-Creating Neighborhoods for Successful Aging (Health Professions
Press, 2008). Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and
a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University.
She holds a certificate in gerontology from Georgia Southwestern
State University, where she also serves as an instructor and advisor
to incoming freshmen.
Tommy Hilfiger, Founder, Tommy Hilfiger Corporation
& Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation
For over 20 years, Tommy Hilfiger has brought classic, cool
American apparel to consumers around the world. His designs give
time-honored classics a fresh look for today’s consumers, and his
discerning taste has provided the foundation for the growth of a global
brand. Under Hilfiger’s guidance, vision and leadership as Principal
Designer, and under the business direction of CEO Fred Gehring, the
Tommy Hilfiger Group has become one of very few globally recognized
designer brands offering men’s, women’s and children’s apparel,
sportswear, denim and a range of licensed products such as accessories,
fragrances and home furnishings. Hilfiger launched the Tommy Hilfiger
Corporate Foundation in 1995 to help empower America’s youth.
Through the foundation, Hilfiger is actively involved in a number of
36
charities and causes, including the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther
King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, The Fresh Air Fund
(Camp Tommy) and the Race to Erase MS (Multiple Sclerosis).
John Hunt, Entrepreneur & Investor
John Hunt began his career at Procter & Gamble in Europe, later
became head of marketing at Kraft Jacobs Suchard in the Middle East
and Africa, and then established four successful new ventures:
Seattle Coffee Company, a chain of espresso bars which his
co-founders sold to Starbuck’s in 1998; Syzygy, an e-business
consultancy; Obongo, a software company acquired by AOL Time
Warner in 2001; and Oriel, the world’s first global range of fine wines.
John is also an active private investor.
Jamal Joseph, Writer, Director, Filmmaker
Jamal Joseph is a writer, director, documentary filmmaker, professor
at Columbia University’s Graduate School of the Arts, and Founder
& Artistic Director of Academy Award-nominated IMPACT Repertory
Theatre. Joseph, a former Black Panther Party member, is the
Co-Founder of The International Black Panther Film Festival. He has
directed over 25 feature films and documentaries, and has executive
produced a spoken word CD: The Rose That Grew From Concrete with
Afeni Shakur, featuring performances by Sonia Sanchez, Quincy Jones
and Danny Glover. Joseph is a three-time winner of the National Black
Programming Consortium’s Prize Pieces Award, a two-time winner of
the Black Filmmaker Hall of Fame Award, a winner of the International
Film and Video Association Award, and a recipient of the New York
Fine Arts Fellowship.
Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman & CEO, Gibson Guitar Corp.
Mr. Juszkiewicz grew up in Rochester, NY and worked his way through
school playing guitar—a Gibson, of course. He completed his MBA
at Harvard University on a General Motors Fellowship. In 1986,
Juszkiewicz and his partners acquired the faltering Gibson guitar
operation. His aggressive management style and innovative marketing
transformed Gibson from the brink of closure to a company respected
worldwide, with an annual average growth of 20 percent over the last
decade. Juszkiewicz began fulfilling his vision of Gibson as a full-line,
global musical instrument company by acquiring other instrument
companies, establishing a Gibson-owned European distribution center
with joint-venture distributors, and obtaining manufacturing facilities
in China. Henry resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife
Catherine and children.
Mr. Kotcher received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the State
University of New York at Geneseo and serves as a trustee of the
Geneseo Foundation Board. Mr. Kotcher also holds a Master of Science
in Public Relations from Boston University’s College of Communication,
where he gave the commencement address in 2006. In 2008, he
was honored as a distinguished alumnus of the entire University.
Larry King, CNN’s Larry King Live
Emmy Award-winning Larry King has been dubbed “the most
remarkable talk-show host on TV ever” by TV Guide and “master of
the mike” by Time magazine. CNN’s Larry King Live is the first and
only worldwide phone-in television talk show and is CNN’s highestrated program. Mr. King has written multiple books and received
innumerable awards as well as honorary degrees from George
Washington University, the New England Institute of Technology,
Brooklyn College and the Pratt Institute. Mr. King is also the Founder
of the Larry King Cardiac Foundation and the Larry King Scholarships
at George Washington University.
Mitchell Kriegman, Writer, Director, Producer
Mitchell Kriegman is a television writer and producer who has
written for The New Yorker and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as for the
screenplay The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. After working with
Saturday Night Live, Kriegman worked on award-winning series for
Comedy Central, Nick at Nite and Disney Channel. He is the creator
of Clarissa Explains It All, Bear in the Big Blue House—which won
two Directors Guild awards and two Emmys for Best Direction—and
Book of Pooh. He was also an Executive Head Writer and
developer of Rugrats, Ren and Stimpy, Doug and Life with Derek.
He currently has a deal with Focus Features to write, direct and
produce The New Girl. Other awards include Emmys for Rugrats and
The Book of Pooh and multiple Parents Choice Awards. Besides
holding several patents for hybrid animation technologies, Kriegman
also owns Wainscott Studios, which develops innovative, cost-effective
production techniques for film and television, and co-owns
East Hampton Studios.
Albert H. Konetzni, Jr., Vice Admiral (Retired)
Vice Admiral Konetzni has had a long and distinguished career in
the U.S. Navy since his graduation from the Naval Academy in 1966.
Konetzni, a career nuclear submariner, was awarded the Distinguished
Service Medal twice by the Navy and once by the U.S. Coast Guard.
As a result of his mentoring and people skills, he is affectionately
referred to as "Big Al the Sailor’s Pal" by generations of sailors. Al is
a Senior Vice President for URS Corporation and currently serves as
the President of West Valley Environmental Services Company
near Buffalo, New York.
Raymond L. Kotcher, CEO & Senior Partner, Ketchum
Raymond L. Kotcher is CEO and a Senior Partner of Ketchum, a unit
of Omnicom Group, and one of the world’s largest public relations
agencies, with offices and affiliates on six continents. During his tenure
as CEO, Ketchum has received 44 Silver Anvil awards, the industry’s
highest honor, bringing Ketchum’s total number of Anvils to a record
107. Ketchum also was named PRWeek’s 2002 Agency of the Year.
Curtis Mack, Partner, McGuire Woods LLP
Curtis L. Mack is a partner at McGuire Woods LLP and leads the
Atlanta Labor and Employment Group. Mr. Mack is a former law
professor for the University of Florida where he taught labor and
employment law. He also served as adjunct professor of labor law
at the University of Michigan School of Law and Emory University.
Mr. Mack was previously regional director of the NLRB Atlanta region,
as well as general counsel and chairman of the Florida Public
Employee Relations Commission. He has served as Chairman of the
Human Relations Commission of the City of Atlanta since 1989
and is on the Boards of the Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium and
Legal Momentum.
37
Board of Governors
William G. Margaritis, Corporate Vice President, FedEx
William G. Margaritis is Corporate Vice President of Worldwide
Communications and Investor Relations of FedEx Corporation. He is
responsible for all public relations, investor relations, employee
communications and community relations activities for FedEx
Corporation and its subsidiaries. Prior to joining FedEx, Margaritis was
Vice President of Bechtel International, based in London, England,
responsible for managing the public relations and marketing communications program for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia.
He serves on various boards, including the Larry King Cardiac Foundation,
Arthur Page Society, the Reputation Institute and the Memphis Big
Brothers/Big Sisters Organization. A native of Greece, Margaritis earned
his bachelor’s degree in business from Michigan State University.
Tod Martin, President & CEO, Unboundary
Tod Martin is President and CEO of Unboundary, a consulting firm that
helps leaders who want their companies to make a difference in the
world. Unboundary is unique in its ability to marry strategic consulting
with the creativity of a design studio, helping ensure that a company
becomes what the world expects of it. Clients include Accenture,
FedEx, IBM, Interface, Johnson & Johnson, Schwab, The Coca-Cola
Company and We Are Family Foundation. The firm is headquartered
in Atlanta with an office in New York. Tod helped found the firm in
1988, became a partner in 1994, and sole owner in 1999. Previously,
Tod was SVP, Account Director at BBDO Worldwide.
David Mashaal, Esq., Mashaal & Associates, PLLC
David R. Mashaal is the managing member of Mashaal & Associates
PLLC, a full service transactional law firm based in Manhattan. He was
previously associated with the law firms of Morrison, Cohen, Singer &
Weinstein LLP and Rubin, Baum, Levin, Constant & Friedman. He has
represented clients in a wide range of complex corporate and real estate
transactions as well as musicians, record labels and management companies with respect to their entertainment and intellectual property matters.
Laurie Meadoff, CEO, Chat The Planet
Laurie Meadoff is Co-Founder & CEO of Chat Ventures, a New
38
York-based for-profit production company focusing on youth
television programming that connects young people around the
world. Passionately envisioning a world without barriers and
prejudice, Ms. Meadoff strives to build these bridges through
tolerance and understanding, and her primary tool of choice is
dialogue. In 2001, she received a Rockefeller fellowship and began
to create the innovative television/web program, Chat the Planet—a
conduit of conversation with diverse groups of young people around
the globe via satellite. Most recently she executive produced the
critically acclaimed web series “Hometown Baghdad,” which reached
millions of online viewers. Additionally, Ms. Meadoff has executive
produced programming for Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC, HBO
Family, MTV and VH1; and is the Founder of The CityKids Foundation,
known for it artistic and leadership programming.
Jason M. Meyers, Chairman & CEO, Aspatuck Holdings Ltd.
Jason Meyers has over 20 years of extensive investment and merchant
banking experience and has led or participated in the origination
and syndication of a wide array of private and public financings in
industries including entertainment, technology, healthcare and
financial services. Mr. Meyers currently serves as Chairman and CEO
of Aspatuck Holdings Ltd., a New York-based private equity firm that
he founded in 2002 to specialize in corporate restructurings as well
as provide capital for emerging growth companies. Mr. Meyers is
also Managing Director of Internet Capital Markets Corp., Chairman
of Turbodyne Technologies, Inc. (TRBD-OTC) and CEO of TriMedia
Entertainment Group, Inc. (TMEG-OTC). Mr. Meyers is a guitar and
music enthusiast, and has an extensive collection of guitars and
rock n’ roll memorabilia.
Steven J. Musumeci, COO, HealthCor Management, L.P.
Steven J. Musumeci is Chief Operating Officer of HealthCor
Management, L.P., an investment advisory firm that is focused
principally on the global healthcare and life sciences sectors. Prior to
helping establish HealthCor in September 2005, Mr. Musumeci was a
Senior Counsel at Meister Seelig & Fein, LLP for several years where
he focused his practice on hedge funds and corporate transactions.
From 2000 until 2001, Mr. Musumeci was an investment banker
at Robertson Stephens International in London where he helped
establish an investment banking group focused on the communications
industry. Prior to joining Robertson Stephens, he worked at BNP
Paribas in the International Finance and Legal Group from 1997 until
2000. From 1991 until 1997, Mr. Musumeci was an associate in the
corporate department of Rogers & Wells. Mr. Musumeci received a
B.A. in Economics from Boston College in 1988 and a J.D. from
Georgetown University in 1991.
Alan Osmond
Singer, songwriter, spokesperson and leader of the Osmond Brothers,
Alan Osmond has had a 50 year career as a recording artist, producer
and composer. He is happily married and is the father of eight sons
known as The Osmonds – Second Generation. He is a publisher for
“Strengthen Families” at TheFamily.com and the Osmond Network
websites. Together with One Heart Foundation and his family’s
Osmond Foundation, he helped organize and start the Children’s
Miracle Network Telethon, which has raised over three billion
dollars to date for children’s hospitals. As a man of faith, he pursues
life positively with his battle with Multiple Sclerosis and says, “I may
have M.S.... but, M.S. does NOT have me!”
Michael Ostin, Entertainment Executive
One of the most respected executives in the music business, Michael
Ostin began his career at Warner Bros., where he both signed and
recorded some of the greatest artists in music history, including
The B-52’s, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Paul Simon, Prince, Seal, Greenday
and Quincy Jones. He then served as the President of DreamWorks
Records from its inception until its sale to the Universal Music Group.
He continues to consult with DreamWorks as well as other clients and
is currently producing television and film projects.
Kate Pierson, The B-52’s
Kate Pierson is a founding member of the rock band The B-52’s. Dubbed
the “World’s Greatest Party Band,” The B-52’s have been recording
and touring since 1979 and are still going strong. Along with The B-52’s,
Pierson has been active in many causes, including animal rights,
environmental, and AIDS-related charities. The B-52’s continue to tour
and just released a new CD.
Brett Ratner, Film Director
In a very short time, Brett Ratner has established himself as one of
Hollywood’s most successful directors with credits such as Money
Talks, the Rush Hour franchise, The Family Man, Red Dragon, After the
Sunset and X-Men:The Last Stand. Ratner has shattered several
box office records and has grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide
with just eight feature films. He has directed more than 100 music
videos for artists including Madonna, Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson,
Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, Wu-Tang and many others. Awards include an
MTV Video Music Award for directing Madonna’s “Beautiful Stranger,”
an MTV Movie Award for Rush Hours 2 and a TONY Award for
producing Def Poetry on Broadway. Ratner is currently on the Boards of
Best Buddies and Chrysalis, receiving the Spirit of Chrysalis Award for
his dedication and leadership in helping economically disadvantaged
and homeless individuals change their lives through jobs. Ratner is also
the youngest member of the Board of Trustees of the Simon Wiesenthal
Center & Museum of Tolerance.
Irwin Redlener, MD, President, The Children’s Health Fund
Dr. Redlener is President of The Children’s Health Fund (CHF), a
philanthropic initiative he co-founded with Paul Simon, created
to develop health care programs in some of the nation’s most
medically underserved communities. Recognized as a national
expert on a range of issues, Dr. Redlener has published, spoken
and testified extensively on the subjects of health care for homeless
and indigent children, child abuse, national disaster preparedness,
pandemic influenza, among other related issues. He is also Associate
Dean and professor of Clinical Public Health and Pediatrics, as well
as Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at the
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Redlener
is the author of Americans At Risk: Why We Are Not Prepared For
Megadisasters and What We Can Do Now, published in August 2006
by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
39
Board of Governors
Christine Royer, President, CRC Inc.
An expert in fashion and beauty, Christine Royer is currently the
President of CRC Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in strategic
marketing and licensing. For the last several years, she has also been
developing the highly successful Betsey Johnson licensing program.
In 1992 she created the Revlon Licensing Program and was the VP
of Product Development for the Revlon Licensing Dept. until 1997.
From 1990-1992 she served as VP for Revlon’s Ultima Division, and
from 1986-1990 she was Licensing Director for Halston Enterprises,
a division of Revlon. In the early 1970s, Chris started working
with Halston as his model/muse/spokesperson and Halston
Enterprise until 1992. She has consulted and contributed on
numerous Halston fashion projects and exhibitions, and continues
to aid historical inquiries. In 2007, the H Company/Halston Board
voted Chris to serve as Halston Archivist on the Advisory Board.
Richard Schaeffer, Retired Chairman, NYMEX Holdings
& New York Mercantile Exchange
Richard Schaeffer is the Retired Chairman of NYMEX Holdings, Inc.
and the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. He became a member
of the Board of Directors in 1990, was Exchange Treasurer from
1993 to 2004, and served as Vice Chairman from 2004 to 2006.
Mr. Schaeffer is deeply involved with children’s charities. He co-chairs
the NYMEX Charitable Foundation board, is active with New York
Weill Cornell Medical Center, and each year hosts a New Year’s Eve
party for seriously ill children in the pediatrics unit at the hospital.
Mr. Schaeffer was Chai Lifeline Man of the Year in 2005 and is
a long-time participant in the WFAN Radiothon, raising funds for
Tomorrows Children’s Fund.
Danny Schechter, Co-Founder, Globalvision
Emmy Award-winning Danny Schechter is a television producer
and independent filmmaker who also writes and speaks about
media issues. He is the Executive Editor and Blogger-in-Chief at
MediaChannel.org, the world’s largest online media issues network,
as well as Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Globalvision,
a New York-based television and film production company. Danny
40
directed The Making and Meaning of We Are Family in 2001 and
has just written a new book on the economic crisis called PLUNDER
(Cosimo Books). His latest film, Viva Madiba, is a tribute to Nelson
Mandela at age 90.
Henry Schleiff, President and CEO, Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Television veteran Henry Schleiff is President and CEO of Crown Media
Holdings, Inc., and owner and operator of Hallmark Channel and
Hallmark Movie Channel. He is also Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors for the International Radio & Television Society Foundation,
Inc. (IRTS) and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for The
International Council, The Creative Coalition, U.S. Fund for UNICEF,
Help USA, Theatreworks USA, Guild Hall of East Hampton, The
Hamptons International Film Festival, The American Museum of the
Moving Image and The Cable Center. He also serves on the Board of
Governors of the Museum of Television and Radio Media Center, as
well as the Dean’s Council of the Tisch School of the Arts, New York
University and the Executive Leadership Cabinet of the Martin Luther
King, Jr. National Memorial Foundation.
Gregory Smith, Founder, International Youth Advocates
At the age of 19, Gregory Smith has a career as a motivational
speaker and a world-recognized advocate for children and peace.
He is a five-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, has appeared
on numerous television shows and has met with Presidents, Nobel
Peace Laureates, religious leaders and educators, including Bill
Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev and Desmond Tutu. At the age of 13
he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics with Phi
Beta Kappa Honors, and in May of 2006 Gregory received his Master
of Science Degree in Mathematics, becoming the youngest graduate
degree recipient in the history of the University of Virginia. Now
living in the northeast United States, Gregory is currently working
toward his second graduate degree in computational biology.
Deborah Smolover, Esq.
After a distinguished career as Associate Deputy Attorney General at
the U.S. Department of Justice, Deborah S. Smolover, J.D., now serves
as Director of Public Policy at the Yale Child Study Center/National
Center for Children Exposed to Violence and directs the National
Center’s public policy initiatives in Washington, D.C. She also serves
on the Board of Directors of numerous national and local charitable
organizations focusing on children, youth and families.
Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D., Mattie’s Mom
A noted advocate for children’s and families’ rights in health and
education, Jeni Stepanek has spoken on television, radio and in
print about disability, hospice, family support, parenting, writing,
motivation, spirituality and many other topics, all while battling a
rare form of muscular dystrophy. Her youngest son, Mattie, was
a poet and peacemaker whose bestselling books have inspired
millions. Mattie created poetry from age 3 until he passed away in
2004 at age 13 from muscular dystrophy. Jeni earned her doctoral
degree in Early Childhood Special Education at the University of
Maryland, specializing in anticipatory grief and family support.
Richard B. Stolley, Senior Editorial Adviser, Time, Inc.
Award-winning writer, editor, reporter and Bureau Chief at Time Inc.
since 1953, Richard Stolley is currently Senior Editorial Adviser of Time
Inc. He founded People magazine and was named to the American
Society of Magazine Editors’ Hall of Fame in 1996. Among his other
awards is the Henry Johnson Fisher Award for Lifetime Achievement in
magazines, the most prestigious award the industry bestows from the
Magazine Publishers of America. He has also edited three best-selling
photographic histories of the 20th century.
Nestor Torres
Perhaps the greatest contemporary Latin jazz flautist, Nestor Torres,
after suffering a horrific accident, came back to earn worldwide
acclaim for his unique mix of Latin, jazz and pop music. Nominated for
several Latin Grammy Awards, Torres won in 2001 for his CD This Side
of Paradise, a bittersweet victory given the fact that the Awards’
ceremony was scheduled for 9/11/2001. Torres has received numerous
awards and commendations, including two honorary doctorates for
his commitment to youth education and cultural exchange. His CD
Dances, Prayers & Meditations For Peace signals a new departure,
as Mr. Torres expands his range of activities to include teaching,
lecturing and speaking, while continuing to perform and record.
Florindo Volpacchio, Relationship Manager & Vice President,
Credit Suisse Private Bank
Florindo “Fred” Volpacchio has a 21-year career in wealth
management, having spent 17 years at the Citigroup Private Bank
and 2.5 years at HSBC Private Bank. Fred is currently the Relationship
Manager & Vice President with Credit Suisse Private Bank, working
closely as an advisor and banker for high net worth individuals, most
of whom are in art, entertainment and Wall Street. Prior to entering
financial services, Fred was a university instructor in political science.
He has advanced degrees from Columbia and York University, and did
his undergraduate work at Vassar College. Fred was an editor at Telos,
a journal of contemporary European social theory, where he also
worked with Frank Zappa to help with Zappa’s initiatives in the newly
liberated countries of Eastern Europe.
Dionne Warwick
An international music legend, Grammy Award–winning singer
Dionne Warwick has nearly 60 charted hits since the beginning of her
extraordinary career. In recent years, she has led the music industry
in the fight against AIDS. Her Grammy-winning, chart topping, single
“That’s What Friends Are For” led the way by raising millions of
dollars for AIDS research. In October, 2002, Warwick was named a
Global Ambassador for the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO).
Claire Wiseman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Yale University
Claire V. Wiseman, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist specializing in the
understanding and prevention of eating disorders. She is currently a
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine and in
private practice in West Hartford, CT. She is also Director of Oden’s
Dans, an equine assisted psychotherapy program at Locket’s Meadow
Farm in Bethany. Dr. Wiseman is often called upon to give her expert
opinions by the news media.
41
We Are Family Honorees
Change begins when we recognize problems
that need to be solved.
Change takes place when we act to solve
those problems.
Changemakers are individuals who do
both—recognize problems and take action to
solve them.
Since its inception, the We Are Family
Foundation has honored changemakers—
those who are in the public eye, and those
who are not. But whether their work is
conspicuous, or done behind the scenes,
above all they are all individuals who prove
the world can be a better place.
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award
We Are Family Humanitarian Award
We Are Family Visionary Award
This award (formerly the Peacemaker Award) honors any
person, regardless of age, who has made a significant
contribution toward promoting a peaceful society.
It was renamed in 2004 in honor of its first honoree,
the late 13-year-old Mattie J.T. Stepanek.
The We Are Family Humanitarian Award honors a person in
the public eye who has made tremendous efforts and inroads
into making the human condition better throughout the world.
The We Are Family Visionary Award honors a person in the
corporate world whose philanthropic efforts have made a
meaningful difference in our world.
2008
Patti LaBelle
Singer
2008
Henry Juszkiewicz
Chairman and CEO, Gibson Guitar Corp.
2007
Dionne Warwick
Singer and Humanitarian
2007
Richard Schaeffer
Chairman, NYMEX Holdings Inc.
and New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.
2008
Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Author; President, Alliance for a New Humanity
2007
Paul Simon
Musician and Co-Founder, The Children’s Health Fund
2006
Quincy Jones
Composer, Producer, Artist, Multimedia Entrepreneur
and Humanitarian
2005
Dr. Maya Angelou
Poet, Educator, Historian, Author, Actress,
Playwright, Civil Rights Activist, Producer and Director
2004
Gregory R. Smith
Founder, International Youth Advocates
Left to right: Deepak Chopra, M.D.; Patti LaBelle; Paul Simon; Quincy Jones;
Dr. Maya Angelou; Larry King; Mattie J.T. Stepanek; Dionne Warwick;
Sir Elton John; Peter Gabriel; Diana Ross; Tommy Hilfiger. Special thanks to
Shahar Azran Photography and Jeremiah Sullivan for Dr. Deepak Chopra’s image.
2002
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Poet and Peacemaker
2006
Sir Elton John
Singer, Songwriter and
Founder, Elton John AIDS Foundation
2005
Peter Gabriel
Musician and Founder, Witness
2004
Larry and Shawn King
Founders, Larry King Cardiac Foundation
2003
Diana Ross
Singer and Actress
2006
Tommy Hilfiger
Founder, Tommy Hilfiger Corporation;
Founder, Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation
2005
Daniel Crown
President and CEO, Crown Theatres
2004
William Margaritis
Corporate VP, Worldwide Communications
and Investor Relations, FedEx Corporation
2003
Henry Schleiff
CEO, Court TV
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Donors & Supporters
Corporate Donors
2002—Present
Fein, LLP Merrill Lynch IBK Micro Essential Laboratory, Inc. Miller Time, Inc.
MK Brokerage, Inc. Morgan Stanley Morgan, Lewis & Backius LLP Mountain
Movers, Inc. MTV Networks My Way, Inc. Nana’s Recipes NARAS–National
Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences National City Corporation National
Italian American Foundation National Media and Marketing, Inc. Nevas, Nevas,
Capasse & Gerard New Line Cinema New York Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
P.C. New York Pain Management Services NIC Holding Corp Nickelodeon
Animation Studios Inc. Nightlife Enterprises Nile Rodgers Productions
Northern & Shell PLC NYMEX–New York Mercantile Exchange Optionable, Inc.
PACOA Paint Applicator Palace Production Center Party Hardy Penry Creative,
Inc. Pfizer PhRMA Pilot Pen Corporation PineRock Productions, Inc. Podell
Talent Agency, LLC Pop Productions Inc Praxis Media Preferred Plastics Pretty
Ugly Dolls Primetime Omnimedia, Ltd. Prudential Financial Quadrino &
Schwartz, PC Recording Academy Renegade Nation Ribbit Productions, Inc
Richmond Title Services Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum Ross School
Sally Lou Fashions Samlyn Capital, LLC Sander O’Neil & Partners, L.P. Scott &
Stringfellow, Inc Segue Music Seychelles Shield Press Inc. Simmons Jewelry
Co. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Solutions From The Heart, LLC
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. Soundguild, LLC SPJ Motors, LLC Stacy Smith
& Associates Stark Carpet Corp. Stork Pride, Inc. SurfNet Media Group, Inc.
Sutton Underground, Inc. Temple Shaaray Tefila Thai Bonder Consultants, LLC
The Leadership Program, Inc. The Recording Academy Theater Mogul NA Inc.
Three Kids & A Dog, LLC Tiffany & Co. TIMM-E Company, Inc. Tom Leonards’
Farmers Market Tommy Boy Entertainment Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A., Inc. Toys ‘R’
Us, Inc. Trot Trading Corp Unboundary United Benefits & Pension Universal
Attractions, Inc. Videotek Enterprises Virginia Law Review Association Wall
Street Transfer Corp Ward Insurance Network, LLC Warner Bros. Warner Music
Group Warren Rosen & Companies Wear Me Apparel Corp. Weil, Gotshal &
Manges LLP Weston Group Benefits, LLC Work & Fan Benefits Yassky
Properties Zinberg & Korbetz
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2002—Present
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2002—Present
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William Abbott Thomas I. Acosta Laurie Adorno Alan & Arlene Alda Vincent
Alfieri Khaliah Ali Eric & Kim Allouche Steven Altman Catherine Anderson
Rina Anoussi Suzanne Applebaum Tracy Appleton Marrisa & Stephen
Ardizzone Sara D. Aronson Jamie Askin Eddie Bacca Stanley Badowski
Debra Baker Scott Baker Charles Meade Baldwin Jr. Robert & Laurin Balkam
Tricia Balsam John & Edwina Barbis Andrea Bard Michael Barnes John Baron
Mark & Rose Barondess Bradford & Amy Barr Clifford Barr Ronald G. Barthel,
Jr. Raymond & Terri Bartlett Karen Bass Nancy Baumeister Jennifer Bayles
Steven & Lauren Beck Adam Becker Kristen Behrens Richard P. Bellach
Michael S. & Lorraine G. Bellush Andrew Benke Leslie Benning Irving Benson
Monique Renee Berarducci Amy L. Berley Diane Bernstein Jay Bernstein
Nancy Bernstein Hugh Biber Sandra Biber Frank & Carol Biondi Marc
Birnbach Michelle & Gerald Birnbach Robert Blaze Joshua Bluh Dana &
Michael Blum Rishon Blumberg Meryl Blumenthal Cordelia Boise Alessandra
Bono Joseph Bonito Kim Boone William Boudreau Christopher Boyle
Michael & Charlotte Brachlow Glenn Bracke Martin Brady Patrick Brauckmann
Wayne Braunskill Ron Brenners Nancy Breslau Victoria & Daniel J Bresnan
Shelly Bromfield Jennifer L. Brorsen Caroline L. Brown Glen Ellen Brown
Leonard H. Brown III Gary F. & Seena R. Bulmash Elizabeth G. Burbank Stacey
M. & Steven J. Burke Sanford Burns Joel G. Burris Catherine Busch Dwight &
Antoinette Bush Michael J. Byl Christopher & Deborah Weingrad Campbell
Robert B. Campbell Mara P. Canner James & Patricia Canning Fred Cannon
Richard & Pamela Cantor John Caplan & Stacey Borow Michael Carden Anne
Cardone Melissa Caro Jennifer A. Carpenter William Carroll Pascale Cassan
James Cassidy Kevin P. Cassidy Phoebe Cates Ralph Cathcart Gary Anthony
Catona John Cavallaro Christopher Cerf Katherine Chan Felix T. Charney Joyce
Chase Reid Chase Howard Chatzinoff Kathy Chazen Blossom & Benjamin
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Chesir Norman Chesky Jennifer L. Churchill Neil L. & Lori R. Citrone Robert &
Cynthia Citrone Marcella E. Cohen David Coleman J. Robert Collins William P.
& Lisa Collins Jorge Colón Paul R. Colona Bryan Connolly Cynthia Cook Joan
Coronis Thomas Corr Katherine A. Couric Devin & Sarah Cox Christine Creter
Daniel & Ellen Crown Bruce Samuel John Cumming Alexi Curlee Liz Curtis
Bruce Cutler Denise D’Agostino Max Damashek Jamie R. Danow Bruce Darby
Leslee Dart Jeffrey Davidson Nancy Davis Peter I. Davis Roy D. Davis
Jonathan T. Dawson Beatrice de Quervain Jon DeAngelis Jennifer Deare Kevin
Debbs Robert & Kathryn DeFillippo Joseph DeJesus Linda Delaney Frederick &
Andrea Demann Tony Denton David & Elizabeth Devlin-Foltz Deborah
Dickinson Debra DiMaggio Dawn & Joseph DiMaggio, Jr. Robert DiNozzi
Joanne L. Dinzes Joseph V. DiScala Joseph DiScala George M. Dolenz Phillip
Donahue & Marlo Thomas Kevin Donovan Robert Dragotta Robert Drake
Richard & Marcella Dresdale Steve Drew Marilyn Duane Philip Dub Barbara E.
Dubin Patricia Duff Robert Duncan McEwan Edward Dunham Dominick Dunne
David A. & Jacinta Benjamin-Duttenhofer Darlene Dwyer Patricia A. Eberle
Roy Edmonson Pauline Edwards Erik Ela Patrick Ellis Kelly Ellison & Gregory
Theobald Eric Emanuel Paul S. Engler & Temple St. Clair Danielle E. Enscore
Constance Erlanger Edith Falco Melvyn J. Falis Salvatore & Nancy Farina
Andrew L. Farkas Tova Farkas Tom Farley Robert & Arlene Fauser Sara
Federlein Donna Fedus Glenn Feinberg Julie Fenster Gail Ferraiolo Scott
Fichten Claudia L. Field Judy Finger Susan Finkelstein Stanley Fioroni Mark B.
Fisher Ronald A. Fishman Kenneth Flaherty Jerry & Mona Fleisig Laurie Flink
Mark & Linda Florin Michael J. Foley Theresa H. Fortgang Nina Freedman
Mark Edward Freitas Thomas Freytag Danny Fried Alita Friedman Steve
Friedman Kevin Friel Deborah Ann Fromm Aaron Fuchs Ellen Galinsky James
R Galinsky Joel Gardner Sara & Robert Garick Samuel Gater Melinda Gedman
Ted Geier Clara Geismar Adriana Geitheim Terri & Steven Gelbstein Michael
Geoghan James George Andrew J. Gering Alan Gershenfeld Andrew T. &
Meera D. Gilbert Isabella Ginanneschi Sherry Gipson Devin Gladden Robert
Gladstone Cynthia Glanzberg Richard & Judith Glaser Nicole Gleitman Terri
Goldblatt Deanne Golden Danny Goldfield Brian G. Goldman Lloyd & Victoria
Goldman Marc & Beatriz Goldstein Michael Goldstein Michael Gordon
Thomas Gordon Traci Gordon Joan F. Gottfried Erica L. Gourd Patricia Grabow
David Green Seth Green Joshua S. & Mindy R. Greenberg Martin Greenberg
Walter R. Greene, IV Marlene Greenwald Peter Gregory Melanie Grisanti J.
Barry & Michele Griswell Elissa Grodin Stuart A. Gross Steve Grossman
Maryanne & Thomas Grycan Yasmine Guenancia David P. Gulley Myron
Gushlack Nicholas Gutfreund Ronald & Amy Guttman Simone Guttman Susan
Gutwill Arlene Arin Hahn Jeanmarie Hajla Cheryl Halpern Robert Hamilton
Seymour Hammer Kathy Hanson Mike Harbin & Jody L.Thomas Andre Haroche
Joseph Harris Sue Harris Todd Healy & Wendy Harris Deborah Harry Michael
L. Harwood Syed Hassam Eli & Tracy Hattem Debra Phillips Hauser Jill
Haveson Edward Hayes Marilyn Hays Joseph Healey Timothy Healey Terrance
Heath Catherine Hecht Brett Hellerman Eric Hellerman John Hemmert Cheryl
L. Henson Lawerence & Michele Herbert Daniel X. Hernandez Scott Hess
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Andrew M. Paul Family Foundation Anti-Defamation League Arie & Ida Crown
Memorial Bank of America Foundation BCC Foundation/Holocaust Center
Betsy and Raymond Kotcher Family Foundation, The California Pizza Kitchen
Foundation Daniel and Victoria Bresnan Family Account Daniel Dunn & Amy
Gordon Charitable Fund Edward & Elizabeth Wolfe Foundation Edward &
Sandra Meyer Foundation, Inc. Fascitelli Foundation Gibson Foundation, Inc.
Give to Colombia Goodman Family Foundation, The Greenhouse Family Fund
Henry and Peggy Schleiff Family Foundation Herbert & Lorraine Podell
Foundation, The Holstein Family Fund I. Chera Sons Foundation In A Perfect
World Foundation Johnson Art & Education Foundation Jonathan M. Tisch
Foundation, The Joseph & Violet Soffer Foundation Joyce & Irving Goldman
Family Foundation Joyce & Seward Johnson Foundation, Inc, The Kathryn S.
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Hunt Revocable Trust Larry King Cardiac Foundation Laura Steinberg Tisch
Foundation Lois & Andrew Zaro Family Charitable Trust, The Lore Kahn
Foundation Love, Hallie Foundation Marianne Metropoulos Trust MCJ
Foundation Molina Foundation Monterey Fund Inc. National Philanthropic
Trust NYMEX–New York Mercantile Exchange Charitable Foundation Ora &
Charles Ramat Foundation Ostin Family Foundation Patricof Family Foundation
Fund, The Paul Singer Family Foundation, The Peter G. Peterson & Joan Ganz
Cooney Fund, The Pevaroff Cohn Family Foundation, The Phyllis & Bennett Cerf
Foundation Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc Robert & Deann Halper
Foundation Russell Maguire Foundation Shei’rah Foundation Sternlicht Family
Foundation, The Susan Finkelstein Charitable Trust The Children’s Health Fund
Toni Mendez Shapiro Estate Town Fair Tire Foundation Toys ‘R’ Us Children’s
Fund, Inc. US Fund for UNICEF W.R. & Norma Ramsey Foundation Weisman
Family Donor Advised Fund William & Karen Lauder Fund WITNESS World
Music Awards Monaco Aid & Presence
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AAA Mid-Atlantic Albion Gallery Alex Apparel Group All Boro Business
Machines Co. Alliance Bernstein Altman & Company PC American Express
Financial Advisors Amper, Politziner & Mattia Applause, LLC Archive of
Contemporary Music ASCAP Asia Five Eight, LLC Aspatuck Holdings Ltd.
Atlantis Health Plan Audio One Sound & Video Inc Audio Video Entertainment,
Inc. Avenue Artists Inc Balancing Life’s Issues Inc. Bank of America, N.A.
Barnes & Noble BCR Company Benchmark Communications Benefit Mall
Beringea, LLC Berklee Collge of Music Best Buy Blossoms Event Design
Center, LLC BMI–Broadcast Music, Inc. Body & Soul Bravin Music, LLC
Broadway Cares Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. C.R.G. Inc. Capital Estate
Advisors Chesky Records Inc. Children’s National Medical Center Choice
Energy, L.P. Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro, LLP
Christopher Cerf Associates Citigroup CMC Groups LLC CME Chicago
Mercantile Exchange Cohen Goldstein & Silpe LLP Communication Partners
Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. Connoisseur Capital Consulting By CRC,
Inc. Cool Schools Corporation of N.Y.C. Courtroom Television Network, LLC
Creative Caliber Productions, Inc Creter Group Crown Media Holdings, Inc
Culture Project Denise Rich Songs Designs Unlimited, D.G.R., Inc. Diana Van
Deusen Interior Design Discretion Entertainment DM Media International Dodi
Pictures, Inc. Dolenz Productions Drescher Holdings Dr. Rossetti and
Associates, Inc Eagle Rock Entertainment, Inc EAR Networks, LLC Emerging
Markets LTD EMI Music Publishing Energylinks Futures Enterprising People
Entertainment Events, Inc. Erbach Communication Group, Inc. Federated
Corporate Services, Inc. FedEx Five Towns Senior Centery, Inc. Foray
Entertainment Fox-Pitt Kelton Futures & Options for Kids, Inc. G. S.
Distribution Inc. Games Productions, Inc GameVent GE Real Estate General
Atlantic Services Company, LLC Geneva Trading George E. Warren Corporation
Gerstein Fisher Goldman, Sachs & Co Gordon Brothers Greater Talent
Network, Inc. Guardian Life Insurance Hallmark Channel Harmony Insurance
Brokerage, Inc. Harpman, Inc. HealthCor Management, LP Hi-Beam
Entertainment, LLC Higger & Associates, LLC Hilb Rogal & Hobbs HIP Hot Feat
USA, Ltd. IATSE ICAP Services North America, LLC ICBC Holdings IDS Textiles
LLC Image Master Management Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Innovative
Food Holdings Inc. Intellectual Alchemy, Inc. ICM–International Creative
Management Jeffries & Company, Inc. JMS Enterprises LLC JPMorgan Chase
JSJ Jr Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. Ketchum Inc. Ketchum Newscan Kove &
Kosakow, LLC Kronish, Lieb, Weiner & Hellman LLP KVision, LTD Lankler,
Siffert & Wohl LarsenBrown Staffing Latham & Watkins Law Office of Mark R.
Soboslai Lehman Brothers Levenbaum Associates, Inc. Lexis/Nexis Lighting
Gallery, Inc. Lindberg Licensing & Promotion, Inc. Lucky 139, LLC M & M
Investigations Inc. M & J Management Corp Macy’s Corporate Services, Inc
Madison Equities Malduane.com Real Estate, Inc. Mamaluca Productions, Inc.
Mashaal & Associates Matrix Music, Inc. MBF Clearing Corp. Meister Seelig &
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45
Donors & Supporters
Melanie Hildebrant Howard Hillman Caroline Hirsch Harvey R. Hirschfeld Gary
Hobbib & Rachel Sussman Michael Hockman Lisa B. & Andrew K. Hoffman
Grethe B. Holby Sandy Holman Roger C. Holstein Irene F. & Gerald I. Holtz
Dean Hooker Reuben Hoppenstein Michele D. Houlihan Marianne Houtenbas
Judy Howard Lauren R. Howard Linda B. Howard Karen Oliver Howell Cynthia
Howson Christina Hughes John & Samantha Sackler Hunt Lester & Kathryn
Hunt Lucia Hwong Michael Ignozzi Wendy C. Inglese-Case Sharon Inkeles
Evelyn Iocolano Vincent Iocolano David Irwin Kimberly J. Irwin Sydney &
Marilyn Isaacson Susan P. Ives Valerie Maynard Jackson Natalie Jackson
Roselee G. Jackson June Jacobs Richard P. Jacobson John Jakobson Brown
Johnson Harry E. Johnson Kurt Johnson Robert Johnston Brian A. Jones
Stephanie Jones John Joyce Alfred & Patsy Kahn Libby Kahn Martin I.
Kaminsky Robert Kantor Steven Kantor Leonard Kaplan Meg Kaplan Douglas
Karr Leslie & Gary Katz Denise Kaufman Matthew Kaufman Scott Kaufman
Susan Kaufman Barry & Marla Kay Michael Kaye M. Dawn Kazmierzak
Barbara Keane George Keenan Rachele Keith Steve Keller Dawn Kelly Joseph
L. Kelly Neill Kelly Joseph & Margaret Kepshire Richard Kerschner Carlos
Keyes Susan Keyes Asim Khan G. Edward King Preston H. King, Jr. Jill Kinnear
Kirk Kinnear Nancy Kline Gregory F. Klomp Roger Klorese Radford W. Klotz &
Batmanghelidj Shahnaz Kristin Knapp Gary Knell Peter S. Knobler Mary
Kolencik Josh Konetzni Shirley & Vice Admiral Albert H. Konetzni Jr. (Ret.) Lisa
B. Konsker Leo Koonce William & Eileen Kornreich Phil & Lisa Korologos
Betsy & Raymond Kotcher Raechel & Steven Kranz Kathy Krasner Steven &
Claudette Kunkes Karina Kushmerik Bernard Kushner Hilda Lamas Suzanne
Lambrugo Stephen Lanza Scott A. Laughlin Lee Lawson Jamison Leach
Sheryl Leach & Howard Rosenfeld Ruth LeBlanc-Jones Jennifer A. Lee Pauline
Lee Douglas B. Leeds Gail & Don Leeds Peter & Gina Legnani Allen D. Lenard
James Leo Victor Leschkowitz Ursula Levelt Florence Levenbaum Michael &
Joni Sue Levine Michael Levinson Richard B. Levy John & Lauren Lewis Arthur
& Beverly Lieberman Sally F. Lieberman Lauren W. Liles Thomas Limoncelli
Valerie Listorti James A. Locust Sandra Long Michael & Shelley Lopez Kate
Lorenz Michael A. Lorman Robert R. & Catherine Donavan Lowe Enrique Loya
Sigisredo Loya Phyllis S. Lubarsky Theodore Lubke Thomas & Caroline Lucey
Valorie Luther Edith Lutnick Mary Lutz Elvira Luy Eric Lybeck Curtis L. Mack
Frederic Mack Gordon Mack Thomas J. Mackell, Jr. Thomas G. MacLean Anita
Madeira Irena Makarchuck Maryanne Manfra Andrea Marcusa Lucia Maresca
William Margaritas Joshua Mark Tod Martin Frank Martire III Mary C. Marvin
Stephanie Mauronicola Scott Mautner David Mashaal David Massey Diane H.
& William S. Maxwell Jonathan May Neil A. Mazzella Charles McGuffog
Michael McManus Joe McNaney Diane McNulty Taylor McWilliams Barbara
Mehlsack Paul Mehring Stephen Meister Joseph Meli Milton Meshirer
Chantal Meyers Jason Meyers Michael J. Meyers Gina Michael Rebecca
Michaelson Thomas & Lisa Mignano Laura Mignott Jill Miller Julia Miller
Steve Miller Beatrice Milwe Nancy Mimett Joan Mintz John Miodownik
Richard Mishaan William J. Mitchell Kelly Mittleman Annabel Monaghan
Karen Oliver Moore Theodore E. Moore Patrick & Dana Moriarty Marc Moser
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Janice Moses Anne P. Moss Larry H. Mufron Richard A. Mufson Richard
Muirhead Naomi Munz Aileen Murphy Laura Murphy Steven J. & J’ossyan N.
Musumeci Kelly Myers Rita Nakovzi Lawrence Nash Cynthia M. Neggia Alan
Neigher JoAnn Nelson Earl H. Nemser Amy A. Nenner Amanda Neville Mary P.
& James E. Newsome Cebert S. J. Noonan Joel Nordin Joshua A. Nova Glenn &
Claudine Nussdorf Dennis O’Connor Jonathan Oriole Charles Ortner Beatrice
Orzac Joan Osman Gray Michael Ostin Steve & Lisa Owen Reza Arman
Pahlavan Leslie Palumbo Felipe Pantoja Ambassador Joseph R. Paolino, Jr.
Peter Pappas Susan Parkes Paul E. Pariser James Parsons Joseph J.P. Parsons
William & Lorayne Pasqua Susan Patricof Hazel Payne Christine S. Paysen
W. Lee & Linda W. Penn Rosie Perez Gil Perry Steven Petrow Michael M. &
Judy M. Philipp Solomon Picciotto Stobie Piel Eranga Pieris Derek J. Pinto
Gary A. Podell Pamela Pollak Judith Poller Priscilla Poller Steven R. Potter
Gary Press Margaret-Mary Preston Peter Price Rose Procopio Jon Pundyk
Alex Purtill Kia Quinn Joseph Quintilian Scott Rabin Edwin Rabiner John
Radcliff Neal Radding John Raffaeli Joseph B. & Eileen M. Raia Andrew Ramer
Russ & Norma Ramsey Stuart Rappaport Ragan Raso Brett Ratner Scott H.
Rauch Beth Ravin Paul Reback Michael Recanati Crispin Reedy Ken Register
Helen Anne Rella Robin Renee Elliot & Diane Resnick Denise Rich Martin
Richards Kim L. Riemann Dennis Riese James & Shirley Roberto Richard &
Janice Cook Roberts Cindy Robinson Nile Rodgers Christopher Rodriguez
Carol Rollo Jane Roper Robert S. Roper Ronald S. Rosbruch Rachael Rosen
Warren & Jane Rosen Robert Rosenblatt Debra J. & Russell Rosenthal Jeffrey &
Arlene Rosenthal Ken Ross Rick Rossein Brian C. Roth Beth Rothenberg
Rochelle Rousso Reis Helena Franklin Rozier Mindy I. Rubinstein Ann Johns
Ruckert Michael & Alice Rudell Elizabeth Rumfelt Jill Russo Mortimer &
Jacqueline Sackler Steve Sadicario Rachel Saenger Robert & Geralyn Dipresso
Sagar Vivian & Richard D. Saitta Selig Saks Jean Francois Salha Zofia
Sapinski Xina Sapir Alfred & Ellen Saraisky Scott M. Sasser Delia & Richard
Sattin Todd Saunders Michael & Patti Schackett Richard M. Schaeffer
Kenneth & Michele Riva Schafer Linda Schaffer & James George Yehuda David
Scharf Danny Schechter Mardi Schecter Kathy Schenker Felix Scherzer
Robert J. Scherzer David Schiff Kurt Schlossberg Michael & Dafna Schmerin
Shelly Cohn Schmidt Mindy Schneider Janis Schodowski Jeffrey Schoenfeld
Barbara E. Schwartz Ivy Schwartz Nicholas Scibetta Chris Sealey Bradley
Searles James Searles Maureen M. Sehr Stanley Seidman David Seidner Ed
Semlies Andrea Sertoli Taja Sevelle Marlyne Sexton Nicole Sexton Jo Shane
Marc Shapiro Patrick Sheil Daniel & Hope Sanker Sherman Randal Shy Frank
A. Siciliano Irene Su Hui Sie Al & Rosa Silverman Jacob Silverman Nancy &
Matthew Silverman Tom Silverman & Donna D’Cruz Keith & Stacey Silverstein
Teri E. Simmons Bren Simon Linda Singer Jill Skolnik Ebbe Skovdal Barbara
Slaine Roberta Small Emma Lynne Smith Robin Smith Sherri Smith David
Snyder Mark Soboslai Steven & Katherine Soll Katheryn Soller Mike
Solomon Jamie Soriano Charmaine Spencer Heidi Spiegel Herbert & Jeanette
Spiegel Jeffrey & Audrey Spiegel Jean-Paul St. Germain & Sheila Gates Maria
L. Stadler Bernadette G. & Gregory R. Stak Daniel J. & Kiwon Standen
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Individual In-Kind Supporters
2002—Present
Muhammad Ali & Family Alex Arcadia Pam Arciero Anthony Asbury Heather
Asch Ashford and Simpson Derrick Ashong Jennifer Barnhart Ishmael Beah
Howard Behrens Eric Benét Tony Bennett Bill Berner Marc Birnbach Chef
David Bouley Anne Bowen Fran Brill Scott Bryce Tyler Bunch Kevin Burke
Caroline, Kaleigh, and Rachel from Zoom Christopher Cerf Laura Cheshire CHIC
Kevin Clash Bill Cosby Creation Christine Creter Stephanie D’Abruzzo Sarah
Dash Meredith Davenport Taylor Dayne Gavin DeGraw Micky Dolenz Duran
Duran Vicki Eibner Rick Fernandes Ken Ferris April Frye Peter Gabriel Robert
Galinsky Danielle Giambattista Whoopi Goldberg Sacajawea Hall Hall & Oates
Marvin Hamlisch Headshop Guerillas Nona Hendryx John Henson Michael
Herman Peter Herman Rich Hilton Nancy Hunt IMPACT Repertory Theatre Eric
Jacobson Sir Elton John Orlando Jones Sarah Jones Jamal Joseph Sebastian
Junger Dennis Katz John Kennedy Carson Kressley Mitchell Kriegman Jim
Kroupa Patti LaBelle Tim Lagasse Gina Legnani Ira Lerner Michael Levenson
Michael Levine Peter Linz Loop 2.4.3 Rick Lyon Noel MacNeal Sonia Manzano
Michelle Marbury Peter Max Joey Mazzarino Bob McGrath Keith McLaughlin
Paulette McWilliams Laurie Meadoff Cindy Mizelle Annabel Monaghan Nataraj
Jerry Nelson Maxine Nightengale John Oates Roscoe Orman Carmen Osbahr
Frank Oz Chuck Pfeifer Kate Pierson Don Pintabona Gary Player Sooze
Plunkett-Green Ty Powell Jim Powers Brett Ratner Jeff Richards Nikki
Richards Patrick Rinn Marty Robinson Diana Ross Dave Rudman James
Sabatini Richard Schaeffer Danny Schechter Matthew Septimus Tom Silverman
Frank Simms Paul Simon Slash Carroll Spinney Jennifer S. Stepanek, Ph.D.
Ian Stewart Norman Stiles Kim Sykes John Tartaglia Tavares The B52’s Fonzi Thorton Nestor Torres Steven Van Zandt Village People Teun
Voeten Matt Vogel High Voltage Diane von Furstenberg Dionne Warwick
Martha Wash Kimmie Weeks Steve Whitmire Montel Williams Elisabeth Wolfe
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Altour Int’l.-LA Áman Resorts Andrews McMeel Publishing Anti-Defamation
League Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Barley Sheaf Farm Bernard
Edwards Estate/Warner Chappell Music Blue Star Jets Boyett Ostar
Productions Brooklyn Global Entertainment Children’s Peace Pavilion Chopard
Christian Dior Ciribelli Color Coded Printing Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams &
Sheppard LLP Crown Theatres DIC Entertainment Disney Channel DJ Honda
EOS Airlines Equinox Corp. Ermenegildo Zegna Estee Lauder & Co. Fairway
Limousine FedEx Fender Musical Instruments Corporation Ferraro USA
Frederick Douglass Museum and Caring Institute, The Gamache Ltd. GEM
Limousine Worldwide Gibson Foundation Gibson Guitar Corp. Glace de Vino
Godiva Chocolatier Gucci Hangover Media HarperOne Harry Winston Healthy
Beverage Co. Heidi & Arthur Chocolatiers HIT Entertainment Interasian Jet
Blue Jim Henson Co., The Junkfood Forever Jurlique USA Kate’s Lazy Meadow
Motel Katherine Baumann–Beverly Hills Kenneth Cole New York Ketchum
King World Studios West, Inc. Kodak Larry King LazyTown Entertainment Live
with Regis and Kelly Lockheed Martin M.A.C. Cosmetics Maritz Travel
Megatrax Production Music Metropolitan Washington Parties Mia Hamm
Foundation Montreux Jazz Festival Muppet Holding Company, LLC Museums
NY National Italian American Foundation NBA Entertainment Nelvana Limited
Net Jets New York Pass Nick Jr. Nickelodeon Nile Rodgers Productions
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Corporate In-Kind Supporters
2002—Present
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Nile Rodgers/Sony ATV Songs Nobu Oriel Wines Orpheus Music Palace Digital
Paul Simon Music PBS Kids Peanut Butter & Co. Philosophy Pilot Pen
Corporation Pretty Ugly, LLC QuietTouch Rasa Music Redken Revolution Tea,
LLC Rhino Records Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, The Rosewood
Mayakoba Resort S3 Magazine Saturday Night Live Scholastic, Inc. Select
Event Rentals Sesame Workshop Shadow Projects Sirius Thinking Ltd. Smiley,
Inc. Sony/ATV Music Publishing Spellbound Entertainment Limited Steinway &
Sons Watches Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities Foundation Stew Leonard’s
Sumthing Distribution Sumthing Else Music Works Supersmile Tekserve
Temple St. Clair The Culture Co-Op The Glazier Group, Strip House NYC The
Palms, Turks and Caicos The Savoy, A Fairmont Hotel, London The Zipper
Factory Tiffany & Co. TIMM-E Company, Inc. Tiffany & Co. TIMM-E Tommy
Boy Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A., Inc. Toys ‘R’ Us Unboundary Virgin Atlantic
Warren-Tricomi Salon Washington Redskins Washington Sports & Entertainment
WGBH WNBA zChocolat.com
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Nannette Starapoli Anne Stark Nathalie Stebleton David W. Steele John
Steele Susan Stein Jennifer S. Stepanek, Ph.D. Caryl M. Stern Daniel H. Stern
Terry Stewart Richard Stierwalt Richard Stolley Nancy & Kenneth M. Straub
Jodi Stuart R. Lee Stump Michael F. Sukin Leslie Summers Aron Suna Stuart
Sundlun Randolph L. & Andrea Swickle Shira Szego Howard S. Tanney Alan
Taren Audrey Tashjian Ana Paula Tavares Betty A. Thompson Vandra Thorburn
Judith Thorn Alexandra Trower Calvin Tsao Hubert Tse Shania Twain Joel
Ulster Mark J. Undercoffler Ronald Urvater Andrew & J.L. Uterano Carmela
Uzzo Amy Lynn Van Arsdale Diana D. Van Deusen Alfred Van Swearingen Sylvia
Veitia Gerardo J. Velez Mike Veny Marco M. Vitali Maxime Vival & Guylaine
Chery Florindo Volpacchio Mark Vonderheide Laura Vulpi Christine Wagner
Stephen Todd Walker Elenor J. Walton C. Susan Warburg Richard & Barbara
Ward Marcy & Michael Warren Debra Wattenberg-Rosen Catherina Watters
Monica Webster F. W. Weierstall Louis P. Weinberg Paula Weiner Joanne Weiss
Ramy Weitz Beatrice Welch Michael Welden & Hilary Shor Spencer
Wertheimer Tara Westwood Debra Bryan White Christian Wikane Jeffrey Wilks
Becky Willard Montel Williams Melinda Williamson Jeff Winick Marvin J.
Winkler Claire Wiseman Linda Wiseman Larry & Denise Wohl Charles &
Marilyn Wolf Hillary Wolf Stephanie E. Wolf Beth R. Wolfe Edward Wolfe
Jordan M. Wright Keelee Wright Kirk Wright Ofer & Shari Yardeni Pam Yoder
Stephen & Anne Young Alanna Yudin Michel Zaleski Andrew Zaro Cara Zavaleta
Allan & Susan Zavarro Henri Zimand Harry Zimmerhackel Nancy O. Zoretic
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47
An Inspirational Story
When a song is the inspiration behind both the name and
message of an organization like the We Are Family Foundation,
it is hard to imagine another song being associated with it.
But music is a powerful language. And it finds its way into
everything we do, whether we plan it or not.
When we developed our global teen leader initiative, Three
Dot Dash (“peace” in Morse code), people asked, “Will Nile
write a song for it?” The answer was, “We don’t think so.”
Two months before Three Dot Dash kicked off with the Just
Peace Summit in March 2008, the WAFF team was putting
together the final touches on the weeklong Summit schedule.
We wanted to give our 30 Global Teen Leaders from 18 countries a quintessential New York City night out—dinner and a
Broadway show. We didn’t know how difficult that would be.
Broadway was dark on our only free night. Off-Broadway
didn’t have the wheelchair access we needed. So, what to do?
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Put on our own show, of course!
In February we met with Jamal Joseph, Chair of the Graduate
Film Department at Columbia University. In addition to his
day job, Jamal runs IMPACT Repertory Theatre in Harlem—a
not-for-profit that uses performing arts and leadership training
to empower young people 12 –19 years old.
The day we met Jamal he was rehearsing with 30 IMPACT
students for their upcoming performance in the 2008 Academy
Awards—they had just been nominated for Best Song for
“Raise It Up” from the movie August Rush. We told them about
Three Dot Dash and asked if they would perform at the
Summit. The first thing they said was “YES.” The second thing
they said was, “Nile, are you going to write a Three Dot Dash
song?” His answer, “I don’t think so.”
The room immediately erupted into rhythmic sounds—da,
da, da, daaaaah; sh, sh, sh, shhhhhh. IMPACT mimicked the
three dots and a dash as sounds—Nile chimed in—one sound
piled on top of the other and within seconds it became a Three
Dot Dash symphony.
Fast forward to April 1, 2008, to our very own New York City
Night Out at The Zipper Theater. Creation, a New York teen
rock band that raised money to help fund Three Dot Dash,
opened the show, followed by the Headshop Guerillas, an
improvisational group that brought the international language
of laughter to the audience. For the final act, IMPACT took
the stage and rocked the house, our hearts and souls! They
performed their Oscar-nominated song and then, they debuted
a new song—“Three Dot Dash.”
...Get your hands up if you feel it
We don’t just speak we believe it
If you look close you can see it
’Cause we’re about to reveal it
We’re trained in love and we use it, use it
We’re taking part in a movement
’Cause this is the New Peace, New Peace
We need this peace or we crash
This ain’t a hit, it’s a smash
Let’s leave this hate in the past
We need that Three Dot Dash ...—
Opposite: Nile Rodgers and IMPACT Repertory Theatre recording the “Three Dot Dash” song at Avatar Studios,
NYC, April 2008. Above: Nile Rodgers with Global Teen Leaders singing the “Three Dot Dash” song
at the New York City Night Out event during the 2008 Just Peace Summit. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Quinto.
49
We must celebrate life everyday.
Knowing that we are becoming
history with every word, every action,
every moment. Because we, today,
are the history of tomorrow.
GGG
We Are Family Foundation ®
PO Box 1352 Midtown Station
New York, New York 10018
tel 646-403-8025
email contact@wearefamilyfoundation.org
web www.wearefamilyfoundation.org
www.threedotdash.org
— M AT T I E J . T. S T E PA N E K , 10 Y E A R S O L D , 2 0 0 0 . P U B L I S H E D I N U S A TO DAY , M AY 2 9 , 2 0 0 7
®
Three Dot Dash and
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are trademarks of the We Are Family Foundation.
©2009 We Are Family Foundation®. All rights reserved. We Are Family is a registered trademark of the We Are Family Foundation.