Alicia Keys just became even cooler!
In celebration of World Refugee Day singer Alicia Keys has partnered up with CARE a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, Oxfam a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger and injustice and War Child an internationally recognized charity that works with war-affected communities to help children reclaim their childhood through access to education, opportunity and justice for her cultural movement, We Are Here.
Together they plan on a new campaign to raise awareness and reinvigorate the conversation around the refugee crisis currently affecting 65 million people around the world. Along with the launch of the campaign Alicia Keys also premiered a new short film, Let Me In, directed by Jonathan Olinger from HUMAN. The film features a song named “Hallelujah” that will be on Key’s upcoming album to release later this summer. The film can be viewed here!
“Let Me In” does an amazing job on shining a light on the refugee crisis on America’s shores. The movie displays thousands who are in the Los Angeles metropolitan area who must seek safety and wellbeing by crossing the border into Mexico. The film follows Alicia Key’s character and her family’s struggle to reach safety in the midst of conflict.
“I was stunned when I learned that there are more refugees living in the world today than at any other point in history, and half of them are children,” says Alicia Keys. “Creating this film really allowed us to imagine, what if we were the refugees? What if we were the ones torn from the arms of our families and loved ones? How would it feel if this were happening to us?”
“The intention behind Let Me In is to bring the struggles of refugees and displaced people into a relatable context,” says Jonathan Olinger, director of Let Me In. “I hope the film leaves people asking the simple question: What if it was us? And that it ultimately blurs the lines between ‘us’ and ‘them’ — as we are all human. HUMAN’s collaboration with Alicia Keys and We Are Here Movement amplifies this story and we hope it creates global conversation, empathy and action.”
“Let Me In shines a light on the plight of the millions of people who are displaced in the world, and brings the brutality of war into our lives in a very personal way,” says Dr. Samantha Nutt, Founder, War Child USA and Canada. “At a time when 65 million people are displaced in the world, we are grateful to Alicia Keys, who through her We Are Here Movement has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to those who have been forced to flee their homes. Let Me In helps give a voice to those who have gone unheard for far too long. I encourage everyone to watch and donate.”
“Around the world, millions of refugees are fleeing poverty and conflicts in the hope of securing a better life for themselves and their children. These are not just numbers, they are real people with individual stories,” says Raymond Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America. “Let Me In allows viewers to experience, if only for a few moments, the dangerous journey many risk in pursuit of safer, better lives for their families. We are so grateful to Alicia Keys and We Are Here for lending their voice to the millions of refugees around the world.”
“Today, we live in a world with more refugees than any time in history,” says David Ray, Vice President of Advocacy for CARE. “Let Me In sends a powerful message that we must all support the millions of people displaced around the world. CARE is thrilled to partner with Alicia Keys and the We Are Here Movement to raise awareness of the plight of refugees. We hope this movement will inspire and motivate others to take action and call on their elected leaders to do the same.”
Viewers can get involved and pledge their support by visiting www.WeAreHereMovement.com and making a contribution that will go towards items that will benefit refugees around the world through We Are Here partnering organizations.
This isn’t the first time Alicia Keys has made a presence in philanthropy. She co-founded Keep a Child Alive in 2003, a non-profit organization that partners with community based organizations to combat the physical, social, and economic impact of HIV on children and families in India and Africa and has raised more than $50 million dollars in 13 years. In 2014, she launched We Are Here, which works to empower the global community around a host of issues and initiatives, building a better world where all people are equal and treated with dignity. So pretty much she’s deserves a boatload of hugs.