Alicia Keys, Whoopi Goldberg lead stars at Harry Belafonte’s 95th birthday fundraiser

Alicia Keys, Whoopi Goldberg and Alfre Woodard stepped out on Tuesday night to celebrate legendary entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte’s 95th birthday in New York City.

The star-studded event was held at the Town Hall in Manhattan and featured a number of musical performances and tributes, as well as the presentation of the Harry Belafonte Social Justice Awards.

Proceeds benefited Harry’s social justice organization Sankofa.org, whose mission is to ‘educate, motivate, and activate artists and allies in service of grassroots movements and equitable change,’ in honor of its 10th anniversary.

He co-founded Sankofa.org in 2012 with his daughter Gina Belafonte, who was also present at the event with her daughter Maria.

This was the organization’s first public fundraising event.

Harry expressed gratitude for so many political, civil rights and racial justice leaders, as well as celebrities, coming together to celebrate his legacy on his 95th birthday in a statement.

‘I am honored that so many are coming together to celebrate my birthday, life, and legacy,’ the entertainer began. 

‘I founded Sankofa.org alongside my daughter Gina and Raoul Roach to create additional space for artists and allies to collaborate to garner an artistic approach to the needs of our disenfranchised communities, to use art as a tool to educate messages of hope, and to encourage and energize the public to become engaged. One heart, one mind, one soul.’

As reported by Forbes, the Harry Belafonte Social Justice Awards were created ‘to acknowledge the vast reach of Mr. Belafonte’s contribution to social justice and American history.’

The night’s award recipients included: Angela Davis, Rashad Robinson, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Dr. Cornel West, Darren Walker, Hank Willis Thomas, former Attorney General Eric Holder and Congresswoman Barbara Lee. 

Ahead of the festivities, fundraiser attendees posed on the red carpet which featured a Sankofa.org themed backdrop with the organization’s raised fist logo emblazoned on it.

Keys, 41, skipped the red carpet but she captivated attendees inside of the Town Hall as she took to the stage to deliver a passionate speech about Harry’s legacy and the impact of his activism.

She addressed the crowd in a sharp black pantsuit. The songstress layered her jacket over a beige turtleneck and her curly brunette hair was styled in an updo.

Goldberg, 66, posed for shutterbugs on the step-and-repeat in a black kaftan with white embroidery down the front and on the sleeves.

Protecting herself and others from COVID-19, the actress arrived with a face mask on. She briefly lowered it for pictures. 

Woodard, 69, stunned in a purple taffeta dress and had an orange and yellow scarf hanging from her neck. 

‘HB95 is the celebration of Harry Belafonte’s bold, insistent, joyous stride towards Justice. Sankofa.org is the vehicle he’s given the generations to continue that journey forward. There goes the roof!’ said the star in a statement ahead of the event.    

Laurence Fishburne bundled up in a brown coat and green scarf, while famed choreographer Bill T. Jones rocked a pair of black leather pants and a blinding yellow scarf.

Gina Belafonte and daughter Maria Belafonte posed with their arms wrapped around another. Gina modeled a black and silver dress while Maria donned a black slip dress and a leather trench coat.

Danny Glover suited up for the occasion in a blue jacket, matching trousers and a purple patterned tie. The actor was joined by a lovely female guest. 

Broadcast journalist Amy Goodman flashed a peace sign at shutterbugs while wearing an all-black getup layered beneath a purple windbreaker.

Jamaican author Donna Hylton, who has become an advocate for the rights and well-being of women and girls, slipped into a blue jumpsuit layered beneath an embroidered jacket.

Rapper Doug E. Fresh and TV producer Janell Snowden arrived together in their finest evening wear. The posed closely beside one another on the red carpet.

Civil rights leader Rashad Robinson opted for a classic black suit for the occasion.

Lawyer Kerry Kennedy had some fun with her look by rocking a tweed suit with floral-patterned lapels.

Rev. Al Sharpton arrived solo to the event with a black coat buttoned over his blue suit and multi-colored scarf. 

Jussie Smollett, who was convicted in December 2021 of lying to police in January 2019 about what he said was a racist, homophobic attack, was captured arriving to the event but did not pose for photographs inside.

Once all attendees made their way inside, the festivities commenced.

Whoopi Goldberg joined Gina Belafonte on stage to deliver an empowering speech, while director Spike Lee spoke to the crowd with Laurence Fishburne.

Alfre Woodard and Danny Glover united for the evening to speak about Harry, along with Michael Moore and lawyer Bryan Stevenson. 

Doug E. Fresh put his rap skills to use by giving a performance during the fundraiser with a live band.

Aloe Blacc, John Legend, The Belafonte Alumni Band, Lenny Kravitz, Q-Tip, Tim Robbins, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Jesse Williams were also reported to be in attendance.