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subscribe to style file blog via RSSWill.i.am Talks Taxation With Representation
March 3, 2010 10:38 am
What does it take to bring LVMH North America CEO Renaud Dutreil, Robert Verdi, and Becka Diamond together? Last night, it was a good cause—a massively good one, in fact. At the launch party for MassiveGood, a new charity with Bill Clinton’s blessing, the idea was that the everywoman and man could make a difference. Will.i.am, who has written a campaign song for the organization with South Africa’s Yvonne Chaka Chaka, was on hand to explain. “Let’s say you go on a trip and buy a $500 plane ticket,” the Black Eyed Peas front man explained. “Adding $2 to that isn’t a big deal, but you know it’s going to something good. It’s like getting taxed, only you have a say in where the tax is going.” In this case, it’s going to UNITAID to treat preventable diseases, reduce child mortality, and improve maternal health in the third world.
He’s not the only high-profile star pitching in. Spike Lee directed a short promo, Masterpiece—debuting exclusively on Style.com, below—starring Mary J. Blige, Samuel L. Jackson, Susan Sarandon, and Paul Auster. And on Thursday, Clinton will introduce the charity officially to the United Nations by giving the first $2 donation. But Chaka Chaka was hoping for a little musical contribution from the former head of state, too. “You know, I performed for Bill Clinton before,” she mentioned. “I said, ‘Mr. President, now why didn’t you bring your saxophone?’”
tags: Becka Diamond, Bill Clinton, MassiveGood, Paul Auster, Renaud Dutreil, Robert Verdi, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Susan Sarandon, Will.i.am, Yvonne Chaka Chaka
