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John Legend Joins Global Citizen’s Board of Directors
The EGOT-winning singer-songwriter and activist joins new board members looking to expand the organization’s efforts to end extreme poverty around the globe.
John Legend is taking on a new role with Global Citizen. The award-winning artist and activist has been named to Global Citizen’s Board of Directors. The organization announced the news Monday, Jan. 19, as part of a slate of five new board members joining during what leadership describes as its next phase of global expansion. Legend and the other leaders come from across the spectrum of entertainment, business, technology and sports.
Their appointments coincide with a renewed push to broaden the organization’s global efforts to end extreme poverty.
Global Citizen aims to deepen its impact across regions including the Middle East and Africa. CEO and co-founder Hugh Evans explained that the new board appointments are indicative of our times as the organization focuses on cross-sector leadership.
“At a time when the world needs bold, cross-sector leadership to accelerate progress against extreme poverty, Global Citizen is proud to welcome an extraordinary group of leaders to our Board,” Evans said in a statement. “From culture and sport to business and global policy, each leader brings the reach and expertise to help us mobilize new audiences, scale our campaigns, organize major global events, and drive real-world outcomes.”
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John Legend has worked with Global Citizen for years – ever since its founding in 2011. He headlined the organization’s Move Afrika initiative in Lagos, Nigeria, and Kigali, Rwanda, and he took part in the “End of Polio” concert in Perth, Australia, hosted the Global Citizen Prize at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2019 and 2020, and Legend spoke at Global Citizen NOW: New York.
“I’ve been with Global Citizen since the very beginning, from their first concert in Central Park to the global movement it is today,” Legend said in a statement. “I’ve seen how this organization turns collective energy into real progress, and I’m honored to help guide its mission forward as a member of the Board.”
New appointees will be serving with the existing board members, which includes board chair Francine Katsoudas, EVP and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer at Cisco.