Bishop Charles E. Blake Presents First Annual Save Africa's Children Music Festival

Los Angeles, CA - Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., founder and president of Pan-African Children's Fund/Save Africa's Children (SAC) and senior pastor of the 25,000-member West Angeles Church of God in Christ will host the first annual Save Africa's Children Music Festival on Friday, September 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the 5,000-seat West Angeles Cathedral, 3600 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles.  GRAMMY® nominated guitarist Doc Powell will produce this spectacular star-studded music event, featuring performances by award-winning recording artist Yolanda Adams, Pieces of a Dream, Kirk Whalum +3 Generations of Whalums, Doc Powell, Jeff Bradshaw featuring Brass Heaven, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, and a Super All-Star Band. Comedian Jonathan Slocumb will host the event and will be joined by several celebrity presenters as well as other special surprise guests.  All proceeds will benefit orphan children in Africa .  Individual and group tickets are now on sale, for more information call (323) 733-1048 or (800) 671-SEAT. Ticket prices are $20 (upper balcony), $35 (lower balcony), $30 (floor rear), $50 (floor front) and $100 (VIP-first 10 rows, Cathedral parking, reception).
 
"I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya on a missionary trip with my Pastor, Bishop Blake the year Save Africa's Children was founded," comments Doc Powell on his participation in the music festival.  "I saw first-hand the devastation and the work that needs to be done.  It is an honor to be chosen to produce this first annual event.  I am simply doing my part to give back to the motherland."
 
The impetus to launch a musical event benefiting the organization and its goals stems from Bishop Blake's passion to save Africa's children from the ravages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic that has infected over 30 million people on the African continent.  "Our purpose is to support primarily, but not exclusively, indigenous, grassroots and faith-based institutions and initiatives that serve orphans in sub-Saharan Africa," states Bishop Blake.  To date, SAC has assisted over 400 orphan care programs in 21 African nations, reaching over 200,000 HIV/AIDS-affected children.  Blake continues, "We must reach back to our 750 million brothers and sisters in Africa, and share with them directly and also become advocates and proponents of African aid and development assistance.  The developed nations of the world have taken so much from Africa and it's time to give back.  African-Americans must become for Africa what Jewish-Americans have become for Israel."
 
With a one million dollar donation from actor Denzel Washington, Bishop Charles E. Blake founded Save Africa's Children in 2001.  The organization directly supports children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty and conflict throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.  SAC is among the first and largest African-American founded organizations meeting the needs of vulnerable children in Africa and they are one of few U.S.-based charitable organizations channeling financial resources to small church-based, community and grassroots groups throughout the African continent. 
 
Save Africa's Children expands the scope of care for AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa.  They support projects that strengthen the capacity of families and communities to provide care for AIDS affected children.  SAC partners with African nationals serving on the frontlines of the AIDS epidemic to provide safe, compassionate, and productive alternatives through residential and community-based programs.  SAC grants support a variety of initiatives involving housing, education, health, infrastructure, HIV/AIDS training and awareness, community-based care, and emergency relief.
 
Currently in Africa:

• In just one day, HIV/AIDS will claim the lives of over 3,000 children; 1,400 will die of AIDS and over 1,800 will be infected by the virus.   
• Every minute, a child under the age of 15 dies because of AIDS. 
• Every year, 640,999 children under 15 are infected with HIV.  Without treatment, half of them will die before their second birthday.
• By 2010, an estimated 18 million children (more than all the children in the United Kingdom) will be orphaned by AIDS.