Multiple speakers highlighted the need for dialogue and education and the entertainment industry’s responsibility to use their platform to promote peace and understanding
LOS ANGELES – On Tuesday, September 24th, Creative Community For Peace (CCFP), an entertainment industry non-profit organization, hosted its sixth annual “Ambassadors of Peace” (AOP) event to honor prominent entertainment industry leaders for their contributions in using the arts to foster unity, promote peace, and bridge cultural divides.
This year’s honorees were Mayim Bialik, Actress, Author, and Television Host, Ben Silverman, Chairman and Co-CEO of Propagate Content; Elliot Grainge, CEO of Atlantic Music Group and Founder of 10K Projects, Phylicia Fant, Head of Music Industry & Culture Collaborations at Amazon Music and manger to artists such Andra Day and Anthony Hamilton, and Josh Binder, Founding Partner at Rothenberg, Mohr & Binder LLP whose clients include Top Dawg Entertainment, Marshmello, Gunna, and Lisa of Blackpink.
The event was held at the Beverly Hills private residence of Aton Ben-Horin, Executive VP A&R, Warner Music Group & CEO of Plush Management.
Artists and entertainment leaders from across the industry were in attendance such as Grammy Award Winning and 13x Oscar Nominated Songwriter Diane Warren, President of Virgin Music Jacqueline Saturn, President of Music Publishing at Roc Nation Andrew Gould, television producer and talent manager Benny Medina, CEO of Top Dawg Entertainment Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, Founder and Partner at 3 Arts Entertainment Michael Rotenberg, Co-Founder of Endeavor Rick Rosen; Artist Ava Max, artist and author Rachel Platten, actress and artist Andra Day, Co-President of Artists First Brian Dobbins, Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden, Co-Founders of Best Friends Music Brandon Goodman & Danny Rukasin, CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group Jody Gerson, COO and Co-Chairman of Warner Records Tom Corson, and CEO and Co-Chairman of Warner Records Aaron Bay-Schuck amongst many others.
Previous Ambassador of Peace honorees include luminaries such as Actor Eugene Levy, Actor and Director Liev Schreiber, Showrunner Darren Star, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., Grammy Award winning and 14x Oscar nominated songwriter Diane Warren, reggae legend Ziggy Marley, music mogul Scooter Braun, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Latin America Afo Verde, and CEO and Co-Chairman of Warner Records Aaron Bay-Schuck amongst others.
Paying tributes for this year’s honorees included media personality and film producer, Ryan Seacrest, rapper Flavor Flav, comedian and showrunner Larry Wilmore, model and media personality Sofia Richie Grainge, music producer and DJ Marshmello, writer and producer Jenji Kohan, artist and actress JoJo, comedian Modi Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Saban Capital Group Haim Saban, actor and artist Andra Day, songwriter and producer Salaam Remi, producer & founder of So So Def Recordings Jermain Dupri, actress Melissa Rauch, Senior Vice President at Prime Video & Amazon Studios Mike Hopkins, comedian Elon Gold, and actor Liev Schreiber.
The event also featured a soulful performance by Grammy Award-winning artist, Anthony Hamilton.
CCFP Chairman and Co-Founder, David Renzer, opened the evening stating, “We’re all here tonight as part of one entertainment community, celebrating our biggest event ever with an amazing, deserving group of honorees who are leaders in our industry. In this challenging time CCFP has expanded its mission to fight hate, galvanize the entertainment community to push back on antisemitism and support Israel. We also believe in the power of the arts to help build bridges of peace and hope to return to focus on these initiatives after these difficult times of war.”
The evening featured heartfelt speeches from the honorees, each reflecting on their personal commitment to using their platforms to advance peace and unity:
Honoree Mayim Bialik said, “I never imagined I’d need the kind of support that CCFP has provided. I’m humbled to be recognized. As a scientist, a peace lover, and an activist, I’m just one person trying to figure out where we belong in this upside-down world. Thank you all for being here, and thank you for supporting CCFP, which allows so many of us to stand against discrimination and intimidation.”
Honoree Ben Silverman remarked, “The arts fuel my life, and television drives my ambitions. I believe that everyone should have the freedom to sing their song and speak their truth. The idea of banning people from expressing themselves is wrong. I’m so proud of the honorees here tonight. We all care about the freedom of our families. I encourage everyone to donate to this incredible organization. I also want to thank my colleagues; we’ve had countless conversations about Israel’s place in the world. I’m so glad we’re all here together. In these dark moments, there is only light.”
Honoree Elliot Grainge reflected, “Music has the power to bring us together, something we need now more than ever. That’s why CCFP is so important today. What we do as an industry and a culture has the power to unite us all. All of us have the ability to foster both physical and mental space for understanding. And that’s the true meaning behind unity.”
Honoree Phylicia Fant said, “While I’m thankful for every position I’ve ever held, my true role and purpose in these organizations extends far beyond what my title says; which is to demonstrate what is possible when you believe that anything is possible; to break ceilings and barriers; to make global impact; to uplift and mentor my team; to support my peers; to champion women. But don’t get me wrong, the work I was hired to do is definitely going to get done as well.”
Honoree Josh Binder shared, “We need more dialogue, more education, more tolerance, and less division and hate. Community doesn’t work if it only works for your community. It’s fake news that a Jew and a Muslim can’t accomplish great things together.”
The evening, while celebratory, also reflected on the ongoing challenges facing Jewish communities and the entertainment industry. Since the October 7th attacks nearly a year ago, and amidst rising tensions in the Middle East, the Jewish community remains on edge. Speakers also acknowledged the continued importance of using their platforms to combat antisemitism and build tolerance.
Ari Ingel, CCFP Executive Director, closed the evening with a message to everyone in attendance, sharing, “These six honorees embody how we should live each day — with purpose and as agents of change. Everyone, all of you here, are change-agents, and have the ability to affect positive change in the world. To effect positive change for the Jewish people, and to effect positive change for the way Israel is seen around the world. And is it incumbent on all of us to do all we can, to use our platforms to make sure that we continue to have a thriving Jewish community here in America and a thriving State of Israel.”
More information on Ambassadors of Peace can be found on the event’s website: https://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com/gala/