We Are Family Foundation
The We Are Family Foundation was founded by Nile Rodgers in the wake of the events of September 11th. The foundation seeks to promote tolerance, diversity, respect, and multiculturalism among individuals of all ages. On the Mission portion of their website, it states: "We Are Family Foundation celebrates our common humanity and the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that inspire and educate individuals of all ages about diversity, understanding, respect and multiculturalism; and to support those who are victims of intolerance."[1]
The seeds of the foundation were laid on September 22, 2001, when songwriter/producer Nile Rodgers and Tommy Boy Music president, Tom Silverman brought 200 celebrities together to re-record Rodgers' hit song "We Are Family" (best known in its 1979 hit version performed by Sister Sledge) as part of the healing process after the tragic events of September 11th. Soon afterward, a children's version of the song was also released - this time featuring over 100 characters from children's television programs. The video of this recording has been distributed to over 61,000 public and private elementary schools in the United States, with the intent of promoting tolerance and diversity to America's children. [2]