Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today, because we have "lost" an angel. An angel who has blessed us with the gospels of truth ever since we first heard the ivory keys and the metal chords strike notes of compassion and empowerment. An angel who carried her message to lands far and wide, but whose wings always touched the ground. We are gathered to pay our last respects to this gentle angel who has inspired us with her unwavering generosity and her valiant sacrifice. But, before I continue eulogizing this precious angel, I am here today to stop this funeral. To stop this angel's wings from being clipped. Because angels don't die.
I have known Alicia Keys since the moment she entered the music business and have witnessed her evolution not just as an artist, but as a person. I first met Alicia in 2002, when she came to my office to speak to me about a rally I was organizing to urge New York City Mayor Bloomberg to restore $1 billion that was being cut from city's education budget. I was immediately impressed with her because at such a young age, she came to the meeting well versed in the details of the budget and had very specific recommendations about what we should ask for. She rode in the car with me and my brother Rev. Run to the rally and I will never forget her speech. There she was onstage, in front of 100,000 people, with Andrew Cuomo, David Paterson, Shelly Silver, Jay-Z, Puffy, Wyclef and many seasoned veterans of the education movement, and no one gave a better speech than Alicia. I have watched her mature into a role model for role models. A leader amongst the highest level of leaders. A giver of the greatest compassion that inspires the compassionate. Alicia Keys, simply put, you are an angel.
I have watched your tremendous organization, Keep A Child Alive, grow in the past seven years to one of the most important non-profits in the world. The 27 MILLION DOLLARS you have raised to scale-up 20 clinics and orphan care centers in India and Africa, which serve hundreds of thousands of people, is a gift that is truly remarkable. We are eternally grateful for your dedication and love you have shown to those who are suffering with HIV/AIDS, especially the millions of children who have been orphaned by this pandemic. We know it is not as simple as paying for medication for those who are sick, as the work you all do in nutrition, education, family support services, additional medical expenses, and transportation to and from the clinics is just as important as the pills themselves.
Your current awareness and fundraising campaign is brilliant. It reminds us all how fragile life is, and at any moment, it can be taken from us. We WILL reach the goal of $1 million dollars. We will not let you and your dear friends die in vain. For those who want to criticize you because you have not raised the money fast enough, let me remind them that there is no time limit on compassion. You have provided us with a great opportunity to keep our children alive. This campaign gives everyone an opportunity to give and make a difference and that all adds up to something beautiful. Whether it is one dollar or one million dollars that is given towards this cause, what is just as important is the awareness that you have raised over the past seven years with your organization. We will continue to fight this disease and one day we know we will win this war. With great love all things are possible. Alicia, your music is angelic, but your work on this issue is what makes you an angel. PLEASE text ALICIA to 90999 & reply YES to give $10 & KeepAChildAlive