Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Ciara, Russell Wilson, Seattle Symphony Raise $1.4 Million For Youth Charity

Brandon Patoc – Macklemore
performs during a benefit at Benaroya Hall in Seattle May 10, where he and other Seattle stars raised $1.4 million for charity.

Seattle forces Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Ciara (along with Seattle Seahawks quarterback husband Russell Wilson) joined together to present a one-night-only benefit supporting greater equity and opportunities for youth and access to the arts.

Hosted by the Super Bowl champ himself at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, the May 10 event raised just under $1.4 million benefiting the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Equity Fund, Russell And Ciara’s Why Not You Foundation and the Seattle Symphony’s education programs. 

The evening featured performances from the aforementioned stars, including students from Garfield High School Orchestra joining the Seattle Symphony for performances of “Same Love” and “Otherside” with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, concluding with a collaborative performance including Ciara.

The event came from the artists and their organizations looking for fun and creative ways to insure and engage the community to support critical programs.

“As our city grows and changes, it’s so important for us to be supporting and investing in young people,” Macklemore said. “If we want this generation and the next generation to be healthy, fulfilled and to make progress, then we need to give young people the space and platform to express themselves.”

Jean Marcus – Ciara
performs during a benefit at Benaroya Hall in Seattle May 10.

Macklemore kicks off a co-bill tour with Kesha in June, taking in North American arenas and amphitheatres into August including Shoreline Amphitheatre near San Jose, Sprint Center in Kansas City, Budweiser Stage in Toronto and Jiffy Lube Live in Virginia.

The Why Not You Foundation supports programs and organizations with specific focuses on poverty, education and health and wellness. Founded by Wilson, Ciara recently joined to lead initiatives specifically focused on empowering girls and young women.

The Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Equity Fund is committed to using the artists’ resources and platform to advance issues of racial and social justice, partnering with organizations dedicated to these values. They have founded The Residency, which provides access and opportunity to aspiring hip-hop artists in the greater Seattle arena.