Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ne-Yo’s charity The Compound Foundation held its first annual “Fostering a Legacy” benefit on Saturday June 14th. The foundation supports youth in foster care and group homes while encouraging them to control their own destinies by setting goals and pursuing entrepreneurship. The event, sponsored by Porsche Cars North America and hosted by Arsenio Hall, honored legendary director George Lucas and the Coca-Cola company; Lucas is an adoptive parent to three children Amanda, Katie and Jett, while The Coca-Cola Company supports the foster care system.
The star-studded event included New York Knicks player Jason Kidd, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, actress Elise Neal, singer Paula Abdul, host Rocsi Diaz, singer/actress Adrienne Bailon, Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Johnson, and Motown artist RaVaughn Brown, to name a few. The fundraiser took place at the Hampton home of NCR Corporation CEO Bill Nuti, and included an Asian-inspired dinner and successful fundraiser where guests could purchase 1 or 4 balloons pricing $250 or $1000, a representation of sending the same number of kids to the Compound Summer Enrichment Program. Ne-Yo then took to the stage for a surprise performance of hits such as “Sexy Love,” “Ms. Independent,”
and his newest single “Let Me Love You” (Until you learn to love yourself).” The event raised approximately $50,000 for The Compound Foundation.
“Our goal for Compound Foundation is to challenge kids to create, and offer them the knowledge and resources to do so,” Ne-Yo explained. “George Lucas and The Coca-Cola Company have been exemplary leaders in doing just that for many young individuals. This benefit looks to honor them for their contributions.”
