Hollywood Reporter The Social Impact Fund and Social Impact Fund on Thursday announced an expanded slate of presenters, moderators and panelists for the annual Social Impact Summit, which will be held July 22 in Los Angeles. In addition, Gilead Sciences Inc. is scheduled to be honored. on “Excellence in Corporate Philanthropy” at the event.
Nominated for an Emmy Award the house Actress and advocate Sepidah Mowafi will deliver the summit’s keynote address, anchoring the day’s programming as it brings together changemakers, innovators and leaders across industries to inspire impactful, accessible philanthropy by breaking down barriers to meaningful change.
Oscar and Emmy Award-nominated actor and philanthropist Harrison Ford will present the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research with the Charitable Organization of the Year Award for founder Michael J. Fox and CEO and co-founder Deborah W. Brooks. Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and creator Bill Lawrence will moderate a Q&A with honorees focusing on their mission-driven research agenda to accelerate breakthroughs in Parkinson’s disease treatments, advance the search for a cure and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.
Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television host, comedian, director, podcast host, and social justice advocate W. Kamau Bell will lead an intimate conversation with Philanthropists of the Year recipients Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry, exploring their transformative work through food. He learns. He plays. The foundation aims to improve outcomes for Oakland’s children by expanding access to food, promoting literacy through tutoring, book distribution, youth sports programs, and revitalizing school spaces. Emmy Award-winning actress, producer and advocate Niecy Nash-Betts will present the honor to the Currys in recognition of her extraordinary impact through the foundation.
Multi-Grammy Award-winning musician John Mayer will be honored as Philanthropist of the Year for his long-standing commitment to veterans, first responders and underserved communities through his involvement with the Heart and Shield Foundation for Veterans’ Health. Emmy Award-winning news reporter Jimmy Yukas will moderate a heartfelt conversation highlighting Mayer’s philanthropic work and impact, with Veteran Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jared Loomis presenting the honor in recognition of Mayer’s contributions to the veteran community and ongoing support of research and advocacy initiatives.
This year, the Social Impact Fund will honor Gilead Sciences Inc. For “Excellence in Corporate Philanthropy” and in recognition of the company’s consistent support of the Social Impact Summit over the past three years – and its far-reaching philanthropic impact across a wide range of causes and organizations. Actress and Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation founder, HIV Is Not a Crime, Laverne Cox will present the honor.
“Gilead continues to be an exceptional partner to many communities, advocates and organizations including the Social Impact Fund,” said Craig Cichy, Executive Director of the Social Impact Fund. “This honor recognizes a company that truly believes in the power of bringing the private sector together around social good. We are extremely grateful for all they have made possible and look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”
Kelly Cain Witan, executive vice president and general counsel for legal and compliance at Gilead Sciences Inc., will accept the honor. “Gilead Sciences is committed to building a thriving health ecosystem that helps people get care when they need it most,” Witan said. “We are honored to receive the Excellence in Corporate Philanthropy Award and to stand alongside those who advance this work every day.” “Our work with the Social Impact Fund reflects our shared belief that collaboration is key to improving health outcomes and building a healthier future.”
Emmy Award-winning television host, producer and activist Karamo Brown and two-time NBA star, entrepreneur and philanthropist Baron Davis will join the “Black Equity, Black Excellence: The Power of Purpose” panel, presented by Gilead Sciences, Inc. The conversation will also feature WalkGood LA Founder Etienne Maurice and Gilead Executive Director for Global HIV Medical Affairs Dr. David Malebranche, and will be moderated by Alphonso David, President and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum.
Delta Air Lines Managing Director of Global Brand Marketing and Sponsorship Emakit Young, Motion Picture and Television Fund CEO Bob Pitcher, Los Angeles Metropolitan YMCA President Victor Dominguez, and Women in Film CEO Kirsten Schiffer will serve as members of the “Los Angeles Safety Net – Legacy Philanthropy and Essential Industry Infrastructure” panel, moderated by Alisan Blood, co-president of global brand and music partnerships at UTA.
The half-day Social Impact Summit will be held at the DGA Theater in West Hollywood, and will bring together more than 500 culture creators, production companies, talent agencies and notable figures from the entertainment and creative industries and beyond to celebrate philanthropic progress and inspire meaningful change. This event is generously sponsored by current sponsor, biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc., Delta Air Lines (official airline of the Social Impact Fund), Charitybuzz, Macy’s, CARE, Good360, Perlman & Perlman, LLP, La Crema, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, LALO Tequila and Open Water. A&CO (www.aubryandco.com) acts as the partnership agency of record for SIF, and the event was conceived and produced by SIF’s creative agency of record, Fifth & Hardy (fifthandhardy.co).
