Ali Bongo

Philanthropist, business mogul and five-time Grammy nominated artist Akon has initiated a partnership to bring electricity to one million households in Africa by the end of 2014. As one of the leading recognized global music brands, Akon has chosen to address the immediate needs of Africans through an effort known as "Akon Lighting Africa." This initiative will address the concern that more than two-thirds of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is without electricity, and that more than 85 percent of those living in rural areas lack access. Akon Corp., in conjunction with GIVE1 PROJECT and Solektra International, member of ADS Group (Africa Development Solutions Group), has assembled a dynamic group of strategic partners in order to create replicable, scalable and cost-effective energy solutions.

The InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand and members of Le Club des Chefs de Chefs (C.C.C.) the organization of chefs to the world's Heads of State are in New York serving the city's hungry dishes that are literally fit for a king. Engaging in "diplomacy through gastronomy", 20 personal chefs of the world's presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens and princes are partnering with the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel's Executive Chef Serge Devesa and City Harvest to serve lunch to more than 200 New Yorkers in need at the Xavier Mission, located at 55 W 15th Street in New York on Saturday, July 27.