APJ Board Chair Natasha Koifman brings together local and
international changemakers and artists including Dr. Jane Goodall, Rick
Mercer, Nelly Furtado,
Paul Beaubrun, Ben Harper, Russell
Young, Mr. Brainwash, and more, raising funds for education
in Haiti.
Download Images here – Credit Getty Images
(Photographer: Ryan
Emberley)
TORONTO, Sept. 9,
2024 /PRNewswire/ - APJ Board Chair and NKPR
President, Natasha Koifman,
hosted the 16th annual Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ)
Festival Gala, an intimate event raising funds for
education in Haiti and celebrating
Dr. Jane Goodall and Rick Mercer. APJ's Academy for Peace and Justice
was built as the very first free high school in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in
2010.
The night began with a beautiful performance by
Haitian musician and long-time APJ supporter Paul Beaubrun. APJ Board Members, George
Stroumboulopoulos and Kardinal Offishall returned to the stage
as emcees for the evening, expressing gratitude for supporters and
guests.
Natasha Koifman, Canadian and
US Board Chair and Festival Gala Host, opened the evening by
commemorating the 16th anniversary of the APJ Gala. She expressed
her deep commitment to the cause and heartfelt appreciation for the
dedicated supporters in attendance. In her opening remarks, Koifman
struck a grateful and somber tone, acknowledging the profound
impact made possible in Haiti
through the generosity of APJ's donors. With the difficult
conditions still facing Haiti
today, Koifman highlighted the safe haven created for Haitian
students through the school built with APJ's donations from this
singular event hosted over the past 16 years. To date, the
organization has raised an impressive $36
million, providing education to over 31,000 students since
the academy's opening.
Koifman welcomed the evening's distinguished honorees, Dr.
Jane Goodall and Rick Mercer, highlighting their profound
impact in inspiring countless individuals worldwide to effect
positive change. She emphasized that this year's proceeds will also
benefit the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, highlighting the shared dedication of
both organizations to fostering youth empowerment and
resilience.
Highlights from the evening included:
- Dax Dasilva, tech
entrepreneur and global environmentalist, presented Dr.
Jane Goodall with The APJ
Lifetime Achievement Award for her groundbreaking work and
lifelong dedication to conservation and humanitarian causes. This
recognition celebrates her relentless advocacy, activism, and
unwavering commitment to nature, as well as her embodiment of
global citizenship.
- George Stroumboulopoulos presented comedian, television
personality, and author Rick
Mercer with The Canadian Changemaker
Award, acknowledging the profound impact of his philanthropic
contributions and advocacy for social change.
- Special performances from longtime supporters of APJ included
Haitian musician Paul
Beaubrun, 2023 APJ Award recipient and Canadian
singer-songwriter Nelly
Furtado with Charlotte Day
Wilson, Fefe
Dobson, and American singer-songwriter Ben Harper.
- A live auction, led by David
Daniels, and sponsored by 2Fifteen by DBS
Developments, showcased exclusive works by Mr. Brainwash,
Russell Young, Peter Tunney, Tamara
Bahry, and Max
Jamali. All artists were in attendance and signed
personal messages for the auction winners.
- During the live auction, Dr. Jane
Goodall joined auctioneer David
Daniels on stage numerous times, passionately
encouraging guests to bid and raise funds. In a spontaneous
gesture, she agreed to sign Mr. Brainwash's "Everyday Life" (2024)
featuring a chimpanzee. When two bidders—Dax Dasilva and Anne
Lambrou—competed for the piece, the artist agreed to
create two signed editions, resulting in a remarkable moment of
generosity and support.
- The auction featured two exclusive concert experiences for
Taylor Swift and
Bruce Springsteen's upcoming
Toronto performances, each
including an executive suite.
- Natasha Koifman and
George Stroumboulopoulos led a moving moment to "Fund the
Need," highlighting the urgent requirement for student meals at the
Haitian academy, where students get their one warm meal a day.
- The evening concluded with a special closing performance by the
legendary Ben Harper, who
performed two memorable songs with Eric
Hendrikx.
Generous sponsors for this year's event include: 2Fifteen by
DBS Developments, Air Canada, Audi, Breitling, Liberty
Entertainment Group, Martha Franco,
SMEG, Wise Family Foundation, Perigon, NKPR, and The Jane
Goodall Institute of Canada.
APJ is a volunteer-driven organization, with Natasha Koifman, Chair of the Board and
President of NKPR, overseeing its efforts under the direction of
the Artists for Peace and Justice
Board. NKPR provides pro bono services to APJ, helping to
raise vital funds for its initiatives. For more information on the
organization or to make a donation, please visit www.apjnow.org or
follow @artistsforpeace on social media.
About Artists for Peace and Justice
Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) is a non-profit organization
that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of
poverty around the world. APJ's immediate goal is to serve the
poorest communities in Haiti with
programs in education, healthcare, and dignity through the arts.
The organization is committed to long-term, sustainable development
in direct partnership with the Haitian people. The model is simple:
APJ believes in empowering local communities, fostering economic
growth, and the power of education to change a nation. APJ partners
with St.Luke's foundation in Haiti. To learn more, visit www.apjnow.org or
follow @artistsforpeace on Instagram and Twitter.
About NKPR
NKPR was started in 2002 by Natasha
Koifman in order to combine two passions: shining a
spotlight on stories of substance and supporting causes that are
making a difference around the world. Over the past 18 years, NKPR
has established itself as a highly regarded full-service public
relations, artist management and digital agency with offices in
Toronto, New York and Los
Angeles, representing over 40 national and international
brands and supporting charitable organizations like Artists for
Peace and Justice. For more information, visit NKPR on social media
@natashankpr or at www.nkpr.net.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artists-for-peace-and-justice-gala-celebrates-16-years-of-impact-during-toronto-film-festival-celebrating-dr-jane-goodall-and-rick-mercer-302242490.html
SOURCE Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ)