'Shining A Light: A Concert For Progress On Race In America' To Be Presented By A+E Networks, iHeartMedia

'Shining A Light'

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, STING, ZAC BROWN BAND, ED SHEERAN and JOHN LEGEND are among the artists who will perform when A+E NETWORKS and IHEARTMEDIA present "Shining A Light: A Concert For Progress On Race In America” on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20th at 8p (ET/PT). The concert will be recorded at the SHRINE AUDITORIUM in LOS ANGELES on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18th. 

The two-hour special event will air across the entire A+E NETWORKS portfolio, including A&E, HISTORY, LIFETIME, H2, LMN and FYI, as well as on iHEARTMEDIA broadcast radio stations nationwide and the iHEARTRADIO digital platform. The concert will kick off A+E NETWORKS’ campaign to confront issues of race, and promote unity and progress on racial equity, inspired by the response of the MOTHER EMANUEL family members in CHARLESTON and others working for reconciliation and change around the country.

Also scheduled to appear will be ERIC CHURCH, JAMIE FOXX, RHIANNON GIDDENS, TORI KELLY, MIGUEL, PINK, JILL SCOTT, SIA and PHARRELL WILLIAMS, including an once-in-a-lifetime series of duets, focused on creating reconciliation and positive change in local communities.  Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Commented A+E NETWORKS President/CEO NANCY DUBUC: “As a global media company, A+E NETWORKS has the privilege of being invited into the homes of millions of AMERICANS every day and believe that it is our responsibility to use this incredible platform to inform as well as entertain.  By shining a light on the uncomfortable truth that racial inequity and bias still impact our society, we are looking to inspire people to go beyond short-lived, symbolic gestures.”

Immediately following the concert at 10p (ET/PT), A&E will air the one-hour special, “Shining A Light: Conversations On Race In America,” featuring artists engaging a diverse group of residents in local communities at the center of the national conversation on racial inequality and violence.  PHARRELL WILLIAMS and JOHN LEGEND, among others, will spark solutions-focused conversations with community members with varying perspectives, including family members of victims, community leaders, law enforcement officials, clergy and organizations seeking to empower communities by fostering understanding, eliminating bias and addressing inequities that break along racial lines.  

"The current racial situation in AMERICA is at a critical point,” said executive producer KEN EHRLICH. “Today's musical artists, much like those of the civil rights movement's history, have strong feelings about what's going on today, and we're hopeful that ‘Shining A Light’ does, in fact, give a voice to their concerns, their hopes, and their thinking about solutions to the alarming events that we see around us every day.”

“We’re delighted to play a role with these amazing and committed artists to support such an important event for the benefit of our communities across AMERICA,” added iHEARTMEDIA President/COO/CFO RICH BRESSLER.

The concert and the ancillary programming will help raise money for the FUND FOR PROGRESS ON RACE IN AMERICA, powered by UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE.  The fund will provide grant funding to individuals and organizations fostering understanding, eliminating bias, as well as provide support to MOTHER EMANUEL A.M.E. CHURCH and the broader A.M.E. denomination. The fund will support efforts to address racism and bias through public policy change, individual innovation, and community mobilization.

Tickets for the concert on NOVEMBER 18th will be available for purchase beginning WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28th at 1p (ET) through AEG LIVE at AXS.com and shrineauditorium.com.

Follow “Shining A Light: A Concert For Progress On Race In America” via #ShiningALight and on TWITTER @ShiningLightNow and Facebook.com/ShiningLightNow.

« see more Net News