Hosted by DJ Khaled and featuring Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Jonas Brothers, Normani and more
To honor and pay tribute to key workers fighting on the front line in Italy and around the world, Italian football powerhouse AC Milan and Roc Nation, the world’s preeminent entertainment company, have partnered to create From Milan with Love, a virtual live event. The special tribute is to be held on Sunday, May 3rd at 3 pm ET and will feature live performances from a host of global music artists.
Funds raised through the event will benefit Direct Relief and Fondazione Milan, AC Milan’s philanthropic arm. Viewers will be able to donate via the From Milan with Love official fundraising page, taking all International transactions, and AC Milan’s Official Facebook page, which enables donations in local currency.
The hour long special, which will air on TIDAL (complimentary), DAZN and AC Milan’s official social and digital platforms, including the official AC Milan app, will be hosted by GRAMMY-Award winning producer DJ Khaled and Italian television personality and DAZN Presenter Diletta Leotta. Performers will include Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Robin Thicke, Gavin Rossdale and Chris Traynor of Bush, Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons, and Lola Ponce. Additional appearances will be made by global entertainment and sports personalities including Jonas Brothers, Kaká, Thierry Henry, Carlo Cracco, Danilo Gallinari and Jannik Sinner.
“I am immensely proud that AC Milan and Roc Nation have created this platform to say thank you to everyone in Milan, in Italy and around the world who have been on the front line in the fight against Coronavirus,” shares Ivan Gazidis, CEO of AC Milan. “This crisis has presented unprecedented challenges for all of us, but the contribution that these key workers have made is humbling, inspiring and will never be forgotten. The participation of such an amazing array of talent in this event will provide a fitting tribute to them and I hope will help to spread a message of hope and optimism during this difficult period.”
“Roc Nation is honored to partner with AC Milan on such a rewarding initiative, complimenting the incredible work that the club, and Elliott Associates, have done for the Italian community during the COVID-19 crisis,” states Michael Yormark, co-CEO of Roc Nation Unified. “This pandemic stretches across the globe, but the strength, unity, and solidarity displayed by the Italian people during this period of uncertainty has been inspiring. Roc Nation is proud to stand with AC Milan and Direct Relief to join hands in giving back to essential workers who continue to sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of others.”
“This Live Stream is a beautiful example of the power of unity – uplifting and inspiring people at a time when that’s needed most. I’m proud to host such a great moment, paying tribute to the real superstars, in Italy and all over the world,” comments DJ Khaled.
Direct Relief is a global humanitarian aid organization with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Direct Relief has been working in overdrive to get protective gear and critical care medications to as many health workers as possible, as quickly as possible by providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical medical supplies to frontline health workers in the U.S. and 35 other countries worldwide.
Throughout Italy, Direct Relief has provided support by distributing medicine, vital equipment, and PPE via a partnership with the National Health Service, and with a focus on the Lombardy region through local partner ARIA S.p.A Lombardy. In Lombardy alone, Direct Relief has been able to impact 41 local hospitals throughout the region.
In addition to Direct Relief, a percentage of the funds raised during the live event will be donated to Fondazione Milan, AC Milan’s philanthropic arm. Thus far, Fondazione Milan’s fundraiser has raised over €650,000 for the COVID-19 relief effort. In conjunction with its fundraising, AC Milan has launched a number of community initiatives to support Milan’s most vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis.
Initiatives in its Milan Together program include care packages of food and supplies to over-65 season ticket holders; tablets donated to primary and secondary schools to facilitate remote learning; as well as partnerships with Headspace and Masterclass to offer complementary support and education services in this time of need.