Award-winning recording artist, composer, lyricist, and advocate Cyndi Lauper became the first recipient of The High Note Global Prize, an award honoring and celebrating major recording artists for outstanding achievement in using their music and celebrity platform to advocate for social justice worldwide. The 2019 High Note Global Prize was presented during the High Note Honors segment of Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays, a benefit concert headlined by Cyndi Lauper to raise awareness and funds for the LGBTQ community. The concert took place at the Novo Theater at LA Live on December 10th – Human Rights Day, a day supported by the 193 Member States of the United Nations.

Ms. Lauper is being recognized for her lifelong advocacy for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) people, as well as the significant achievements made by True Colors United, a nonprofit organization she co-founded in 2008 to prevent and end youth homelessness among LGBTQ youth. In May 2015, her testimony to the U.S. Senate Sub-Appropriations Committee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development played a leading role in securing approximately $250 million in new annual federal funding over the past four years to invest in preventing and ending youth homelessness in over 70 communities across America. Each year, 4.2 million youth and young adults experience some form of homelessness in the United States and up to 40% of which are LGBTQ.* True Colors United develops and implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people through a wide array of training and education, technical assistance, advocacy, and youth collaboration programs. The organization has impacted the lives of millions of LGBTQ youth and brought the critical issue of youth homelessness to the forefront of government, public, and media awareness. 

"We are proud to support The High Note Global Initiative in an effort to galvanize global mobilization for human rights, and at the same time honor artists who passionately use their work to promote and protect the rights of others," said Laurent Sauveur, Chief External Outreach, UN Human Rights. 

"The High Note Global Prize celebrates artists that have leveraged their musical gifts to create a platform to promote social justice," said David Clark, Creator of The High Note Global Initiative and CEO of David Clark Cause. "We are delighted to recognize and honor Cyndi Lauper as the 2019 High Note Global Prize Laureate. For decades she has promoted human rights, been a voice and active participant for change, and inspired people around the world to be tolerant and true to themselves. She is most deserving of this award, and we look forward to celebrating her achievements during our inaugural High Note Global Prize award ceremony." 

Along with Kesha, celebrities paying tribute to Cyndi Lauper and True Colors United on UN Human Rights Day include Billy Porter, Brandi Carlile, Belinda Carlisle, King Princess, Charlie Musselwhite, Henry Rollins, Perry Farrell with Etty Lau Farrell, Justin Tranter, K. Flay, Emily Estefan, Shawn Wasabi, comics Carol Leifer and Lily Tomlin, U.K. comedian Gina Yashere, Margaret Cho, and Carson Kressley, among others to be announced. Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Dua Lipa, Kacey Musgraves, RuPaul, and Tegan and Sara are among the artists who have donated items and experiences for a charity auction with 100% of the proceeds supporting True Colors United programs.

After The High Note Global Prize ceremony, the GRAMMY Museum®, a partner institution of The High Note Global Initiative, will display Ms. Lauper's award.

"The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to support The High Note Global Initiative, which is working to celebrate and highlight musicians who impact society through the promotion of social justice," said Michael Sticka, President of the GRAMMY Museum. "Cyndi Lauper is most deserving as the inaugural recipient of The High Note Global Prize for her decades of continued work to support the LGBTQ community." 

Gus Wenner, President and Chief Operating Officer of Wenner Media, has also pledged the support of Rolling Stone, which is published by Wenner Media and Penske Media Corporation. Rolling Stone is also the official High Note Global Initiative Media Partner.

"We're thrilled to support The High Note Global Initiative and to honor Cyndi Lauper as the first High Note Global Prize Laureate. Rolling Stone was founded with the mission to explore the connections between music and culture – values that are at the core of The High Note Global Initiative - so we're excited to support this cause," said Wenner. 

Serving as Executive Producer for The High Note Global Initiative is Emmy-nominated veteran TV producer and human rights activist Chantel Sausedo, a Grammy Awards producer for nearly two decades. As one of the most sought-after production executives in TV, Sausedo's credits including Motown 60, Aretha! A Grammy Celebration, Elton John: I'm Still Standing, In Performance at the White House PBS series, A Grammy Salute to the Beatles, Laureus World Sports Awards, The Michael Jackson Memorial, and numerous Emmy-nominated broadcast events.