CORE Founders Sean Penn and Ann Lee, John Legend to Be Honored at 2025 Social Impact Summit, Hosted by THR and Social Impact Fund

At the upcoming second annual Social Impact Summit, taking place on July 24th, Sean Penn and Ann Lee (co-founders of CORE) along with John Legend will receive honors, in collaboration with the Social Impact Fund.

The jointly hosted gathering by the Social Impact Fund and The Hollywood Reporter is designed to ignite impactful and reachable philanthropy, by eliminating obstacles that hinder significant transformation.

Or

The Social Impact Fund and The Hollywood Reporter are hosting an event with the objective of inspiring practical and influential philanthropy, and this will be accomplished by removing hurdles for substantial change.

During the afternoon, over 500 trailblazers in culture, film production, talent management, and other creative sectors, as well as notable figures from the entertainment industry and beyond, will gather. The event aims to delve into the exciting transformation of philanthropy, identify new directions in charitable giving, and discuss strategies for overcoming obstacles to ensure positive change can occur.

Or:

In the late morning, more than 500 influencers from the culture, entertainment, and creative industries will assemble for a half-day event. The agenda includes examining the shifting landscape of philanthropy, pinpointing fresh trends in charitable giving, and brainstorming solutions to navigate difficulties and make meaningful change possible.

As a dedicated admirer, I’m thrilled to share that Penn and Lee are set to receive the prestigious title of Philanthropic Organization of the Year, recognizing their remarkable work with CORE – Community Organized Relief Effort. In this capacity, Lee, who serves as CEO, has been instrumental in leading global humanitarian initiatives. CORE is committed to uplifting underserved communities, not just during crises but also in their aftermath. The organization’s mission encompasses emergency response and preparedness, tackling climate change challenges, and ensuring access to essential health services.

CORE addresses crises such as natural disasters, conflict, food shortages, disease outbreaks, climate change, and public health emergencies on five different continents. The organization has been particularly active in delivering humanitarian aid during the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan, and providing disaster relief and preparation efforts in the Caribbean and along the U.S. coastline. Additionally, they host an annual fundraising gala at Miami Art Basel, as well as other events.

Furthermore, Legend is set to receive the title of Philanthropist of the Year. Over the past decade, this artist-activist has utilized his influence, resources, and voice to promote equality and opportunities. In 2014, he initiated FreeAmerica, a nationwide project aimed at dismantling mass incarceration and bolstering communities through investments, advocacy, and cultural transformation. The cornerstone programs of FreeAmerica showcase Legend’s dedication towards lasting change: Unlocked Futures, a program that champions formerly incarcerated leaders and challenges the systems causing incarceration, and HUMANLEVEL, an initiative collaborating with local governments to tackle disparities in housing, education, health, and safety. By supporting on-the-ground fellows, HUMANLEVEL strives to implement lasting solutions in these areas.

Via this endeavor, Legend has significantly contributed to expanding voting rights for imprisoned and ex-inmates in 19 different states, as well as encouraging voter participation through national PSAs, local events, and public advocacy. He has also been instrumental in advancing legal reform by supporting initiatives that led to the abolition of non-unanimous juries in Louisiana, passing bail reform laws in New York, Texas, and Illinois, and winning crucial ballot measures across California, Florida, and Louisiana. Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in electing progressive prosecutors in over two dozen jurisdictions, representing more than 50 million Americans. Lastly, his commitment to education equity was demonstrated by the launch of the Show Me Campaign in 2007, which aimed at increasing access to quality public schools and tackling the school-to-prison pipeline.

The Hollywood Reporter is proud and grateful to announce Sean Penn, Ann Lee, and the remarkable efforts of CORE as our Charity Organization of the Year. Their relentless dedication to crisis management – from assisting communities affected by the Los Angeles wildfires to providing aid following Hurricane Milton – embodies the type of courageous, compassionate leadership we are honored to highlight,” stated Maer Roshan and Shirley Halperin, co-editors-in-chief of The Hollywood Reporter.

The Hollywood Reporters are equally excited to honor John Legend as our Philanthropist of the Year during this significant milestone in his extraordinary career,” Roshan and Halperin added. “From the very beginning, John has effortlessly combined philanthropy and social impact with his artistic journey, leveraging his platform to empower communities and bring about substantial change.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve always been inspired by the philanthropic initiatives of some incredible figures in the entertainment world. Known as the Social Impact Fund, this platform has brought together gaming icons like Legend, Will.I.Am, Kerry Washington, Shawn Mendes, Alex Cooper, Lilly Singh, Bradley Cooper, Ryan Reynolds, Madonna, Jonathan Bailey, Hailey Bieber, Chris Powell, The Kid Laroi, and Lily Collins to make a real difference. Together, we’re aiming to encourage effective and inclusive giving, fostering positive change in our communities.

The Social Impact Fund, in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter, is thrilled to organize the second Social Impact Summit. Craig Cichy, executive director of the Social Impact Fund, announced that this event will tackle the changing issues within the modern philanthropic sphere directly. By sharing genuine examples, we’ll delve into what strategies are effective now compared to a year ago, and discuss how our sector needs to swiftly evolve with creativity.

Additional program details and other talent will be announced in the coming weeks.

The upcoming event is generously supported by Gilead Sciences, a biopharmaceutical firm that has been pushing the boundaries of medical advancements for over three decades. Their mission is to foster global health improvement for every individual. As a repeat sponsor of the Social Impact Summit, Gilead remains dedicated to developing cutting-edge medicines aimed at preventing and curing severe illnesses like HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer, and inflammation.

Other supporting sponsors include Public Interest Registry, with more forthcoming.  

Read More

2025-06-03 20:24