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He's an artist that amassed nearly 200 awards for his pop music prowess and philanthropic gestures His childhood accomplishments with his brothers were eclipsed with one remarkable album entitled, 'Thriller'. It was at about this time Michael Jackson found a way to give back - in a big way.
Critically acclaimed "Kind of Calypso" Harry Belafonte had expressed an idea. He wanted to create a benefit album that would help with famine relief efforts in Africa. Jackson was not the first to be contacted. Lionel Ritchie along with country legend Kenny Rogers were first on the list of contacts. Stevie Wonder would also be added to the list of early talent expressing an interest in developing the project.
It was Lionel Ritchie who asked Michael Jackson to become involved in the project. It was this duo that moved the project forward and crafted the original song, "We Are the World". This collaboration has resulted in 62 million dollars being sent to Africa to aid in the vision of Belafonte and perpetuated by the enthusiasm of Michael Jackson and others.
Following this effort in 1985 Jackson began assuming a greater responsibility to give back.
Jackson has the distinction of assisting the most charitable organizations among all pop musicians through monetary or sponsorship support.
Did you know?
In 1984 Jackson funded the purchase of needed equipment for a 19-bed-unit for leukemia victims at Mount Senai New York Medical Center
Jackson donated all $1.5 million received from Pepsi for burns he received in the filming of a television advertisement to the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children
Jackson developed a scholarship fund perpetuated with money derived from a $1.5 million Jackson endowment that funds this scholarship opportunity for African American students
All proceeds from the single "Man in the Mirror" were donated to Camp Ronald McDonald
Proceeds from various Jackson concerts have been dedicated to relief of underprivileged children in the immediate region of the concert
In the 90's Jackson developed the "Heal the World" Foundation that has provided millions of dollars in assistance on a wide variety of efforts including famine relief, drug and abuse counseling and assisting the underprivileged
Even following his death some of his personal effects such as his iconic glove and hat were scheduled be auctioned off to assist a program called MusiCares
Jackson was further honoured following his death with the 2009 Save The World Award for his lifelong commitment to giving back
In life, Jackson was unmistakable in both presence and style. In death his music was revived to ignite a new generation with music from an unbelievable era in history. His will provided for additional funding for charities.
Multiple sources agree that Jackson was extremely instrumental in paving the way for racial diversity in the field of music and in how that music was visualized by way of television. His groundbreaking work on videos like Thriller, Bad and Billie Jean suddenly opened the doors for black musicians to find television airtime for their music.
There were so many things Michael Jackson did that could be listed as firsts in the industry, but in most cases he gave and offered his support because this was an extension of who he was even when the cameras weren't clicking and the media had gone home. No matter how often he was misunderstood he was still quietly working to deliver a message of how things could and should be better.
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