Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., founder and president of Pan-African Children's Fund/Save Africa's Children (SAC) and senior pastor of the 25,000-member West Angeles Church of God in Christ will host the first annual Save Africa's Children Music Festival on Friday, September 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the 5,000-seat West Angeles Cathedral, 3600 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Grammy Award nominated guitarist Doc Powell will produce the star-studded music event which will feature performances by award-winning recording artists Yolanda Adams, Pieces of a Dream, Kirk Whalum (plus three generations of Whalums), Doc Powell, Jeff Bradshaw featuring Brass Heaven, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, and a Super All-Star Band.
Comedian Jonathan Slocumb will host the event and will be joined by several celebrity presenters as well as other special surprise guests. All proceeds will benefit orphan children in Africa. For more information call (323) 733-1048 or (800) 671-SEAT.
"I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya on a missionary trip with my Pastor, Bishop Blake the year Save Africa's Children was founded," comments Powell on his participation in the music festival. "I saw first-hand the devastation and the work that needs to be done. It is an honor to be chosen to produce this first annual event. I am simply doing my part to give back to the motherland."
The launch of the benefit and organization and its goals stems from Bishop Blake's passion to save Africa's children from the ravages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic that has infected over 30 million people on the African continent.
"Our purpose is to support primarily, but not exclusively, indigenous, grassroots and faith-based institutions and initiatives that serve orphans in sub-Saharan Africa," states Bishop Blake.
To date, SAC has assisted over 400 orphan care programs in 21 African nations, reaching over 200,000 HIV/AIDS-affected children. The organization directly supports children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty and conflict throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. SAC is among the first and largest African-American founded organizations meeting the needs of vulnerable children in Africa and they are one of few U.S.-based charitable organizations channeling financial resources to small church-based, community and grassroots groups throughout the African continent.