The Black Ball is an annual fundraiser gala for Keep a Child Alive, the non-profit organization which brings dignified treatment, care and support to children and families affected by

HIV The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of ''Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune ...

. Keep a Child Alive's (KCA) Black Ball brings celebrity and philanthropy together to fulfill hopes, dreams and raise funds for children and families affected by HIV in Kenya, Rwanda,

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

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

and

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

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

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...

, Bono,

Patti Smith Patricia Lee Smith (born December 30, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter and author who became an influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album ''Horses''. Called the "punk poet ...

, Annie Lennox, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, John Mayer, Beyonce,

Adele Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (, ; born 5 May 1988), professionally known by the mononym Adele, is an English singer and songwriter. After graduating in arts from the BRIT School in 2006, Adele signed a rec ...

, Justin Timberlake, Carole King, and Roy Ayers. Activists and philanthropists have also been honored at the Black Ball, including

Oprah Oprah Gail Winfrey (; born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954), or simply Oprah, is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', b ...

, former President

Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton ( né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and agai ...

, Clive Davis, Youssou N'Dour, Sir Richard Branson, and Bono. According to Keys, the Black Ball held in 2014 raised around 2.4 million dollars.

2012

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

2011

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

2011

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

2010

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

2010

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

2009

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

2008

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

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

Simon Fuller Simon Fuller (born 17 May 1960) is a British entrepreneur, artist manager, and film and television producer renowned for nurturing and inspiring world class entertainment talent. He is the creator of the ''Idols'' TV format, including the UK s ...

and Queen Latifah. The event was sponsored by Condé Nast Media Group and produced by Empire Entertainment.

2008

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

2007

The 4th Annual KCA Black Ball NY was held in New York City on October 25, 2007. Musical performances were given by Gwen Stefani, Sheryl Crow, Alicia Keys, the Agape Orphanage's children's Choir, and Bono. Honorees included Nick Reding,

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and Dr. Pasquine Ogunsanya,

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

2006

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

Damian Marley Damian Robert Nesta "Jr. Gong" Marley (born 21 July 1978) is a Jamaican DJ, singer, lyricist and rapper. He is the recipient of four Grammy Awards. Early life, education and family Damian Marley is the youngest son of reggae musician Bob Marle ...

Louis XIV , house = Bourbon , father = Louis XIII , mother = Anne of Austria , birth_date = , birth_place = Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France , death_date = , death_place = Palace of Ver ...

, and

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

2005

The 2nd Annual KCA Black Ball was held in Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on November 3, 2005. Alicia Keys performed songs with John Mayer, Common, Paul Simon and the Children of Agape,

Baaba Maal Baaba Maal ( ff, 𞤄𞤢𞥄𞤦𞤢 𞤃𞤢𞥄𞤤, italics=no, born 13 June 1953) is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion. He has released several al ...

, Usher, Angelique Kidjo,

Femi Kuti Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti (born 16 June 1962), popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician born in London and raised in Lagos. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a grandchild of political campaigner, women's ri ...

, and Bono.

2004

The First Annual KCA Black Ball (then known as the Pusher's Ball) was held at the

Angel Orensanz Center The Angel Orensanz Center is an art and performance space on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City. It was originally built as a synagogue, running through a succession of congregations and continues to be used as one occasionally. The ...

on December 1, 2004 in New York City.

References

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