Newly Named SAG-AFTRA Foundation Announced & More!

Newly Named SAG-AFTRA Foundation Announced

This is the first time, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation unveiled its new name, reflecting the moniker of its parent union which experienced a similar title change in 2012 when the two unions merged. The announcement took place November 6^th during the SAG Foundation’s 30^th Anniversary Celebration, which was an evening of musical performances honoring industry leaders who are champions of the arts.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was presented the Foundation’s “Actors Inspiration Award,” highlighting his career achievements as a five-time Oscar-nominee. He was also recognized for his philanthropic work as Chairman of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF). The “Patron of the Artists Awards” paid tribute to three industry leaders who are champions of the arts known for nurturing creative talent both in front of and behind the camera. Industry leaders included; award-winning director/producer/writer Lee Daniels, award-winning producer Megan Ellison, and award-winning director/producer Rob Marshall.

This year’s presenters included James Corden, Diane Kruger, Diane Ladd, Mark Ruffalo, David O. Russell, Gabourey Sidibe, Jussie Smollett, Darby Stanchfield, and Patrick Stewart. This year’s performers included Darren Criss, Estelle, Cheyenne Jackson, Dave Koz, Ledisi, Shelby Lynne, Abigail Spencer, and Bellamy Young.

This year’s sponsors included Vanity Fair, New Regency, Rise Up Foundation, SAG-AFTRA, Skydance Media, United Airlines, CAA, Walt Disney Studios, Integrated Wealth Management, Champagne Taittinger, TNT, and Variety. The SAG Foundation’s 30^th Anniversary Celebration took place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, with ticket sales benefitting the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

In other entertainment news…

• On Tuesday, November 10th at 7 p.m., influencers will be gathering for the first annual Hip Hop Lip Sync Battle thrown by the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Music. The foundation, started in honor of the late Run DMC member Jam Master Jay, is a charity organization that benefits youth art programs through Justice, Arts and Music (J.A.M).

• Apollo’s Education Program will pay homage to the “Godfather of Soul”, James Brown, in a sort of “return home” to the Apollo Legend with a free screening and discussion of Alex Gibney’s Emmy Award-Winning documentary, Mr. Dynamite: the Rise of James Brown, on Thursday, November 12th at 6:30 p.m.

This free event will be presented as part of the Apollo Live Wire Series and will include a discussion with:

• Alex Gibney, acclaimed Director of Mr. Dynamite  and Emmy Award-Winning Director of Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief,
• Geeta Gandbhir, Supervisory Editor of  Mr. Dynamite and Emmy Award-Winning Editor of When the Levees Broke,
• Harry Allen, acclaimed Hip Hop journalist and activist,
• Michael Veal, Ethnomusicologist and Professor of Music and African American Studies and American Studies at Yale University and
• (Moderator) Harry Weinger, special consultant to the film and Grammy Award -Winning reissues producer.

• On November 14, at 4 p.m., The Paley Center for Media, in partnership with the New York Comedy Festival presents “Keepin’ it 100: an evening with the creative team of the nightly show with Larry Wilmore.” The event will be moderated by Neil deGrasse Tyson and feature Larry Wilmore, Executive Producer Rory Albanese, Co-Executive Producer Amy Ozols, Head Writer Robin Thede and “Nightly Show” Contributors Mike Yard, Ricky Velez, Jordan Carlos and Holly Walker. For more information visit here: http://nycomedyfestival.com/event/nightly-show-larry-wilmore-panel/