FRIENDS HELPING HAITI FREE BENEFIT CONCERT
First AME Church hosts Grammy Nominated Artists
at Free Concert to Benefit Haiti Clean Water

LOS ANGELES, CA -- February 8, 2011 -- First AME Church of Los Angeles in cooperation with Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Assembly member Mike Davis and the California Legislative Black Caucus are proud to present “Friends Helping Haiti,” a musical celebration and benefit concert supporting clean water projects in Haiti. Grammy® nominated artists Marvin Sapp (Best Traditional Gospel Album 2010, Here I Am), Kelly Price (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance 2010, “Tired”) and Eric Roberson (Best Urban/Alternative Performance 2010, “Still”) will headline this event which also features special guests Ted Winn and Sheryl Lee Ralph.  Pat Harvey, award-winning broadcast journalist, co-anchor of CBS2 will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

The benefit concert celebrating the upcoming Grammy Awards on February 13th will be held Saturday, February 12, 2011from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the First AME Church of Los Angeles, 2270 S. Harvard Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018. This event is free to the public, although donations will be encouraged. VIP Admission is also available for a fee. For more information, visit the FAME Church website (www.famechurch.org) or call the “Friends Helping Haiti” phone line at 323.730.7714.

One hundred percent of all monies raised will fund clean water projects in Haiti through International Action, a 501 (c) 3 organization that has been working since 2006 to build sustainable water projects in Haiti (www.haitiwater.org). International Action is part of the Clinton Global Initiative Haiti Action Network. Haiti has the highest infant mortality rate in the Western Hemisphere, and contaminated water is the leading cause of infant mortality and illness. Since the earthquake, more than 194,000 Haitians have contracted cholera, and more than 4,000 have died of the disease. More than half of all deaths in Haiti are attributed to water-borne diseases.

“Marking the one year anniversary of the tragic earthquake that took so many lives and raised awareness of the terrible conditions in Haiti, we at FAME knew that we were called upon to do something to address the ongoing crisis, and help end the cycle of disease and death. Clean water was the project we selected, and we are very grateful to have so many talented people join us in this important cause,” said Rev. Dr. John J. Hunter, Senior Minister, First AME Church of Los Angeles.

First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles is the oldest church founded by African Americans in the City of Angels. In 1872 Ms. Biddy Mason received the vision from God to establish a church that would minister to the mind, body and soul of all who would join. That vision has grown to a congregation of more than 19,000 members and several dozen ministries within 13 corporations that bless and reach tens of thousands of seekers in greater metropolitan Los Angeles.