United Nations Human Rights and international pop star/social activist Kesha to present iconic artist Cyndi Lauper with the UN’s first-ever award in Music for Human Rights, “The High Note Global Prize.”
Recording artist, composer, lyricist and LGBTQ advocate Cyndi Lauper wins the first “High Note Global Prize” award for her impacting work to prevent and end homelessness for LGBTQ youth and promotion of human rights worldwide.
Award-winning recording artist, composer, lyricist, and advocate Cyndi Lauper has been named the first recipient of The High Note Global Prize, an award honoring and celebrating major recording artists for outstanding achievement in using their music and celebrity platform to advocate for social justice worldwide.
On UN Human Rights Day, which is Dec. 10, The High Note Global Prize will be presented to the pop star by UN Human Rights along with international singer-songwriter and social activist Kesha at Cyndi Lauper’s “Home for the Holidays” benefit concert in Los Angeles at The Novo at LA Live. UN Human Rights is the “Global Partner” of The High Note Global Initiative founded by David Clark, a creator of cause-brands and humanitarian initiatives for President Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Prince, United Nations, Amnesty International, and The Anne Frank Center, among others.
Lauper is being recognized for her lifelong advocacy for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) people, as well as the significant achievements made by True Colors United, a nonprofit organization she co-founded in 2008 to prevent and end youth homelessness among LGBTQ.
In May 2015, her testimony to the US Senate Sub-Appropriations Committee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development played a leading role in securing approximately $250 million in new annual federal funding over the past four years to invest in preventing and ending youth homelessness in over 70 communities across America. Each year, 4.2 million youth and young adults experience some form of homelessness in the United States and up to 40% are LGBTQ.* True Colors United develops and implements solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people through a wide array of training and education, technical assistance, advocacy and youth collaboration programs. The organization has impacted the lives of millions of LGBTQ youth and brought the critical issue of youth homelessness to the forefront of government, public and media awareness.
Along with Kesha, celebrities paying tribute to Cyndi Lauper and True Colors United on UN Human Rights Day include Billy Porter, Brandi Carlile, Belinda Carlisle, King Princess, Charlie Musselwhite, Henry Rollins, Perry Farrell with Etty Lau Farrell, Justin Tranter, K. Flay, Emily Estefan, Shawn Wasabi, comics Carol Leifer and Lily Tomlin, UK comedian Gina Yashere, Margaret Cho, and Carson Kressley, among others to be announced. Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Dua Lipa, Kacey Musgraves, RuPaul, and Tegan and Sara are among the artists who have donated items and experiences for a charity auction with 100% of the proceeds supporting True Colors United programs.
After The High Note Global Prize ceremony, the GRAMMY Museum®, a partner institution of The High Note Global Initiative, will display Lauper’s award.
Gus Wenner, President and Chief Operating Officer of Wenner Media, has also pledged the support of Rolling Stone, which is published by Wenner Media and Penske Media Corporation. Rolling Stone is also the official High Note Global Initiative Media Partner.
Serving as Executive Producer for The High Note Global Initiative is Emmy-nominated veteran TV producer and human rights activist Chantel Sausedo, a Grammy Awards producer for nearly two decades. Sausedo’s credits including Motown 60, Aretha! A Grammy Celebration, Elton John: I’m Still Standing, In Performance at the White House PBS series, A Grammy Salute to the Beatles, Laureus World Sports Awards, The Michael Jackson Memorial, and numerous Emmy-nominated broadcast events.
