NEW YORK, Nov 30, 2020 // Rounding out a season of giving, Minneapolis-based ADX Foundation donates $30,000 to WhyHunger for hunger alleviation. The ADX Foundation is the charitable arm of Minneapolis-based company ADX Labs, Inc. The ADX Foundation is a private foundation established by ADX Labs’ Chairman and Founder Steven M. Renner, with a two-fold mission to alleviate hunger and to free the wrongfully convicted from prison.
The donation will be made during a special fundraising benefit concert, Hungerthon: A Benefit Concert to Eradicate Hunger. The benefit concert is part of WhyHunger’s 35th annual Hungerthon 2020 fundraiser to strike at the root causes of hunger. The free-to-stream event can be viewed live on WhyHunger’s Facebook page and on WhyHunger’s YouTube channel on December 1st at 7:00 PM (ET). Taking the lead on the benefit concert is ADX Labs, Inc.’s entertainment company, Virtual Media Entertainment (VME), whose artists will be contributing performances at the event. The benefit concert, hosted by Leslie "ButtaFlySoul" Taylor, featuring performances by VME recording artists Niko Brim, MJ Songstress, Julian King, Lil Crush, and MVXMILLI, and including special appearances by The Chapin Sisters, Dee Wiz, JD Jenkins, Nicole Michelle, Ryan Lane, Path P, and Frankie Zulferino, brings these artists together to support Hungerthon. Other guests, including esteemed life coach Robinson Lynn and Ayden, will share messages during the event.
Founded in 1975 by beloved singer-songwriter Harry Chapin and legendary radio disc jockey Bill Ayres, WhyHunger is a charitable organization dedicated to building the movement to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world. Director of Artists Against Hunger & Poverty for WhyHunger, Hillary Zuckerberg, said “ADX Foundation’s generous donation and VME’s benefit livestream concert will help us continue to support community-based organizations across the U.S. as we all work together to end hunger for good, and ensure everyone’s human right to nutritious food.” The WhyHunger Hungerthon campaign, which launched on October 20th, is a multifaceted fundraising campaign that is supported by radio partners at Entercom New York and SiriusXM. The campaign includes a charity auction, a Live Hungerthon Day via radio partners at Entercom New York on stations including: WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM (WFAN-FM/AM), WCBS 880 (WCBS-AM), 1010 WINS (WINS-AM), WCBS-FM 101.1 (WCBS-FM), ALT 92.3 (WNYL-FM), NEW 102.7 (WNEW-FM), and New York’s Country 94.7 (WNSH-FM), and the Race to Give Thanks, a Thanksgiving virtual race on November 26th. Chapin’s nieces, Abigail and Lily Chapin of The Chapin Sisters, continue the family legacy of music and activism and will perform at benefit concert.
Hungerthon: A Benefit Concert to Eradicate Hunger marks the first partnership between VME and WhyHunger. “WhyHunger is excited to partner with VME on this year’s Hungerthon campaign to help the 54 million Americans struggling to put food on the table and tackle the root causes of hunger,” said Zuckerberg. In addition to the $30,000 donation presentation, the event will give viewers the opportunity to donate to WhyHunger during the Facebook Live and YouTube stream. VME CEO and event producer JoJo Brim hopes that the musical event encourages generous donations for this important cause. “Music is a powerful motivator, and right now, with the state of our society fractured as it is, we need to use the tools we have to combat issues of oppression, injustice, and to build up the communities that are the most vulnerable,” said Brim. “We are grateful to the ADX Foundation for the donation to WhyHunger to support their truly worthy cause and I’m beyond proud that the amazing artists performing at the benefit can also contribute by donating their time and talent to raising awareness for this cause,” he continued. In addition to the donation to WhyHunger, the ADX Foundation has recently donated to COVID-19 vaccine research, hunger alleviation, freeing the wrongly convicted from prison, and community rebuilding efforts in the Foundation’s home state of Minnesota.
VME’s stated vision is to “use music to uplift humanity,” and each of the artists and event hosts appearing in the benefit concert are dedicated to using their talents for social good. Bringing this vision to the stage is event director, Grammy award winning music industry veteran James “Jimmy” Maynes. The event will be streamed from On The Move Entertainment, located in New York City’s floral district. Darren Olarsch, president of On The Move Entertainment, generously donated the space to support this important cause.
Brim hopes that the benefit concert will raise the much-needed funds to fight hunger this holiday season. With many communities facing the rapid spread of COVID-19, Brim is keenly aware of the impact this has on access to nourishment. “Access to nutritious food is a basic human right. We need to use our voices as musicians and artists to build awareness and spark action for this important cause,” said Brim.
For more information on the 2020 Hungerthon campaign, visit www.hungerthon.org; for more information on Hungerthon: A Benefit Concert to Eradicate Hunger, please visit https://www.facebook.com/virtualmediaentertainment
Media enquiries: Simon Cousins, scousins@adxnet.com
Guests and artists performing at the event:
- Niko Brim is a VME hip-hop artist and social justice advocate who recently appeared in Rapsody’s powerful and evocative video, “12 Problems,” about the conditions and strife facing Black communities in the United States. Earlier this year Niko Brim participated in the world’s first-ever hip hop memorabilia auction by Sotheby’s. In collaboration with 93-year old activist Ms. Opal Lee, Niko Brim brought Lee’s mission to declare Juneteenth a national holiday to the forefront with their Sierato-customized Nike Airforce One sneaker featuring iconic imagery of Black social justice movements. The Opal Lee-Niko Brim-Sierato sneaker itself symbolized the journey to freedom after the Emancipation Proclamation, and 100% of the proceeds from the sneaker sale went to charity.
- New Jersey-NYC native MJ Songstress is a fast-rising VME recording artist, songwriter, and revered band leader of Mexican and Greek descent. A top five contestant of Team Usher on season six of NBC’s “The Voice,” and finalist on TELEVISA’s “La Voz México” (The Voice Mexico) on Team Alejandro Sanz, MJ Songstress recently took the virtual stage on October 4th during the star-packed Latin music festival, Calle Ocho, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2020.
- Vocalist, dancer, pianist, bassist, and Philly native, VME’s Julian King will showcase his musicianship at the VME-WhyHunger benefit concert. Fresh off a run on NBC’s “The Voice,” where he placed in the Top 32, The Jimmy Lee Tour with Raphael Sadiq in Philadelphia, a year-long China tour, background vocal recordings for Syleena Johnson, John Legend and Monica, opening for Mary J. Blige, and headlining a stage at Wawa Welcome America in Philadelphia, Julian King recently released his first album, “Made in China.” Julian King is the first recipient of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Curtis Mayfield Scholarship Award for singer/songwriters, an award given to artistically gifted and socially conscious youth. Through his music, Julian King not only shares his talent, but strongly projects a message of unity, strength, and empathy.
- 19-year old Minneapolis native Lil Crush is a VME musician, songwriter and male model. The multi-talented Black Latinx teen is a skilled instrumentalist, songwriter, and arranger and recently released the music video to his song, “S.O.S.” Attuned to recent difficulties in his beloved city, Lil Crush hopes to bring to light the good that people can effect with their unique, individual talents.
- MVXMILLI is a VME artist Minnesota-native who grew up within the musical influence of Paisley Park and working with Paisley Park’s legendary keyboardist, Dr. Fink, from Prince and the Revolution. Now based in Los Angeles, trained pianist MVXMILLI writes and produces all his own music. In addition to participating in the Hungerthon: A Benefit Concert to Eradicate Hunger, MVXMILLI has lent his talent to benefit mental health initiatives and to build up educational communities.
- Special guest, Frankie Zulferino, will be performing a set at the event. Frankie is a NYC pop artist who has opened for Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Jason Derulo, and Sean Kingston. He’s toured Europe with Westlife, toured in China, and in the US as part of the Pop Nation summer concert tour. Son of a NYC fireman and a nurse, Frankie Zulferino comprehended the value of hard work from a young age and has worked hard to conquer his own adversities. With a strong social media following and the support of his ZMOB, he understands the power of performance. Frankie uses his talents to break down barriers and to inspire others.
- Nicole Michelle, is a 17-year-old vocal phenom who recently signed to Naughty by Nature alum’s new label, ILL TOWN SLUGGAZ. She appears along with singer/songwriter Ryan Lane, who performed with Naughty by Nature, Wyclef Jean, and Queen Latifah at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards closing hip hop medley.
- JD Jenkins, multiplatinum producer, songwriter, and musician will be taking the stage at this event. As J.Dibbs, he scored hit records with artists Brian McKnight, Vanessa Williams, Kenny Latimore, Aaliyah, The Winans, and Joe Thomas and others. Heartfelt, soulful, and contemporary, the music of JD Jenkins is fully rooted in his spirituality and his belief in the power of music to change lives.
- Independent Recording artist PATH P (Positioned At The Highest Point) is a talented emcee, songwriter and producer born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, now residing in Newark, NJ. PATH’s music provides a soundscape of healing, empowerment, lyrically-charged, and socially aware voice on behalf of the people.
- Legendary DJ, music producer, music director, and artist Dee Wiz lends his talent to the benefit concert. Dee Wiz rose to prominence in the hip-hop scene as music director and producer of Grammy Award winning trailblazers Salt-N-Pepa, DJ for Grammy Award winning Arrested Development, DJ for Grammy Award winning Freedom Williams of C+C Music Factory, and DJ for classic hip hop artist and icon Doug E. Fresh. In addition to his creative work and influence, Dee Wiz is a member of the non-profit charity Hip Hop Public Health, which aims to bring about positive health changes through hip-hop.
- The Chapin Sisters, duo Abigail and Lily Chapin, carry on a proud family musical legacy from their father, Grammy winning singer/songwriter, Tom Chapin, and their late uncle, musician and activist Harry Chapin, who co-founded WhyHunger. The Chapin Sisters will perform at the VME and WhyHunger benefit sharing their distinct sound and poignant lyrics.
- Recognized as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent for his humanitarian work, Robinson Lynn is the executive director of Momentum Education, an organization that provides experiential learning and life coaching with a focus on leadership development. In addition to its leadership and personal development experiential curriculum, Momentum Education under Lynn’s direction has focused on providing millions of meals to people domestically experiencing hunger, while supporting its clients and graduates in reuniting relationships, and raising millions for charities and nonprofits. Lynn will deliver a special message during the event.
- Hosting the event is poet, actor, and playwright, Leslie ButtaFlySoul. Advocate for Chicago’s homeless youth, ButtaFlySoul serves as case manager for La Casa Norte and is a personal development coach. He hosts his own online radio show, Phenomenal Soul Session, on E3 Radio, and recently starred in critically acclaimed one-man show,” ButtaFlySoul for President.” ButtaFlySoul’s next comedic project called “Better with Butta” will launch in Spring 2021. As host and inspirational advocate for inclusion, ButtaFlySoul brings humor and empowerment to the event.
- JoJo Brim, Event producer and VME CEO, is the visionary behind the benefit concert. Music industry veteran, transformational coach, and tastemaker, JoJo Brim inspires his musicians to serve their truth through their music.
Organizations mentioned in the release:
About VME
Virtual Media Entertainment (VME) is a tech-based entertainment group powered by the multifaceted global tech company ADX Labs, Inc. The VME portfolio incorporates its eponymous recording label and artist management businesses, artist services business All Music Promo, streaming service Just Added Music, crowdsourcing platform MyMy Music, TV and podcasting business VTV, and studio/soundstage facility RiverRock Studios. Led by accomplished entertainment manager and hit-maker, CEO Joseph "JoJo" Brim, the VME banner puts the artist at the forefront of their battle cry to: Be the interruption and use music to uplift humanity.
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible. We provide critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice. A four-star rated charity by Charity Navigator, with highest ratings for excellence in fiscal management accountability and transparency, WhyHunger is working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world. 86 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to programmatic work. Learn more at whyhunger.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About ADX Labs, Inc.
ADX Labs, Inc. (ADX) is a technology company focused on providing a range of innovative products and services for individuals, home-based businesses, and the small to medium enterprise market. It is the core company in a global group of technology, entertainment and services brands and businesses. ADX independently funds the ADX Foundation, a registered non-profit philanthropic organization which invests in hunger alleviation and freeing wrongly convicted from prison. Learn more at http://adxlabs.com
