Alicia Keys

Songs in A Minor by Alicia Keys is a strong debut album. In 2002, it received five Grammy Awards, peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 list, and sold 12 million copies. Keys continued to write and record music while traveling the world as an artist even though she was just 20 years old at the time. But she soon added nonprofit co-founder and activist to her resumé.

In 2003, Keys and campaigner Leigh Blake founded Keep a Child Alive. In order to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and combat the stigma and discrimination that fuel the pandemic, the organization supports and collaborates with grassroots organizations in Africa. For instance, the Blue Roof Wellness Centre run by Keep a Child Alive in Durban, South Africa, offers meals, psychosocial support, testing, and counseling to kids and families dealing with the condition.

The Black Ball is a concert and fundraising gala that Keys and Keep a Child Alive put on every year. The 2015 occasion, which collected $3.8 million and featured performances by Keys, Lenny Kravitz, Wale, and Lion Babe, was emceed by Chris Rock.

Born: January 1, 1981

Nationality: American