FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah Parker
Band Together
919.816.5602 (cell)
BAND TOGETHER ANNOUNCES AUGUST 12 VIRTUAL TELETHON
TO BENEFIT UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER TRIANGLE’S
ANTI-RACISM COMMUNITY FUND
The virtual telethon will air August 12th to benefit nonprofits with systemic approaches to promoting racial equity in housing, food, healthcare, workforce, or education.
RALEIGH, NC (July 29, 2020) ― Band Together and United Way of the Greater Triangle, in partnership with WRAL, DPAC, and Lincoln Theatre, announced their benefit event “Call for Change: Band Together Against Racism.” Call for Change is a virtual telethon, powered by Nextiva, that will air August 12 on WRAL, 95.7 THAT Station and livestream platforms, featuring exclusive performances by some of North Carolina’s premier artists. The virtual telethon will raise funds to support the Anti-Racism Community Fund, which aims to turn nationwide conversation around systemic racism into local action by providing resources to develop Triangle-wide community leadership and investing in anti-racism, systems-level solutions to poverty.
Individuals interested in donating can go here: https://unitedwaytriangle.org/callforchange
“As an organization, Band Together has been dedicated to strengthening our community for 20 years,” said Thorne Daubenspeck, Band Together’s Executive Director. “As racism has become more exposed in so many of our systems, we knew it was time to listen, learn, and use our platform to amplify the voices within our communities of color. We’re thankful to partner with an organization as strong as United Way and work alongside them to be allies for change as we continue to grow and constantly educate ourselves moving forward.”
While Band Together had originally intended to host a groundbreaking community concert this year, in celebration of its 20th year of service, the COVID-19 pandemic has inspired the organization to pivot. Instead, Band Together and United Way are hosting a virtual telethon to feature pre-recorded concerts at local landmark venues such as Durham Performing Arts Center (Durham) and Lincoln Theatre (Raleigh). Artists, along with Triangle community leaders and nonprofits, will also participate in live interviews to air throughout the day.
“Our mission at United Way of the Greater Triangle is to eradicate poverty and increase social mobility through the power of partnerships. We are so proud to partner with Band Together and WRAL in this incredible effort to combat racism in the Triangle,” said Eric Guckian, United Way of the Greater Triangle’s President and CEO. “The data continually tells us that people of color are tragically and disproportionately affected by all aspects of poverty including income, housing, hunger, educational disparities, and health treatment, including for COVID-19. This isn’t a coincidence. You can’t be anti-poverty without also being anti-racist. We have to work together to root out racism in our community.”
The Anti-Racism Community Fund is launching with $125,000 in matching grants provided by United Way and John Rex Endowment so that individual donations will have double the impact. To keep up with performance schedules, artist announcements and pre-show details, stay tuned to www.bandtogethernc.org or www.WRAL.com.
About Band Together NC
Band Together NC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders and volunteers from across the Triangle. Since its inception, the organization has donated over $10 million to 20 philanthropic organizations through one mission: connecting the community to non-profits through the power of live music. Band Together’s annual concert event is organized and led by a team of more than 200 volunteers. Band Together’s Main Event has become the Southeast’s largest annual charitable music event, bringing music with a mission to over 50,000 concert goers.
About United Way of the Greater Triangle:
United Way of the Greater Triangle’s mission is to eradicate poverty and increase social mobility through the power of partnerships, with support provided across four counties: Durham, Johnston, Orange, and Wake, NC. Through three impact focus areas – Cradle to Career, Healthy Families, and Equity in Leadership – United Way supports 84 nonprofit organizations doing the on-the-ground work needed to break the cycle of poverty. To learn more, visit www.unitedwaytriangle.org.
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