Angelique Kidjo
Forest Whitaker
Hunter Parrish
Okello Sam, Angelique Kidjo and Sahr
Okello Sam and Forest Whitaker
Okello Sam
Serinda Swan and Hunter Parrish
Susan Sarandon and Adrian Granier
Amanda Fuller
Anjèlique Kidjo
Forest Whitaker and Trudie Styler
Serinda Swan
On Saturday, November 1st, Academy Award winner and humanitarian Forest Whitaker was the honoree at the Hope North benefit Gala at City Winery in New York City. The gala was hosted by Susan Sarandon with celebrity guests including Michael Stipe, Billy Crudup, Adrian Grenier, Serinda Swan and Grammy Award winning vocalist and activist Anjélique Kidjo. All of the stars, along with attendees, came together to raise funds and celebrate with former child soldier Okello Sam, founder of the Hope North, the secondary school for former child soldiers and war orphans in northern Uganda.
The highlight of the night came when the 328 students of Hope North woke up at 4 a.m. Ugandan time to greet the gala-goers via Skype and internet connection powered by solar panels, thanks to Whitaker's ongoing efforts to aid the school.
Photography by Phil Nee
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