Nassau, Bahamas – Music artist India Arie visited The Bahamas from June 28th to July 2nd. as a special guest of U.S. Ambassador Nicole A. Avant. Arie is a renowned poet, songwriter, producer, musician, singer, and philanthropist.
Ambassador Avant and Ms. Arie visited the Willie Mae Pratt Center for Girls on Friday July 2nd. Ms. Arie talked with the girls about self-image and self-esteem. This event was part of the Ambassador’s on-going initiative to support and mentor youth, and empower young women. Ms. Arie also provided entertainment at the U.S. Embassy’s Independence Day Celebration at Liberty Overlook on Thursday July 1st. This year‘s 234th anniversary showcased American culture and cuisines and culminated in a spectacular fireworks display.
With nearly eight million albums sold, Arie’s most recent fourth studio album Testimony Vol. 2; Love & Politics, hit # 1 on the Billboard Chart. She was praised by the New York Times as “one of the most determinedly virtuous songwriters in R&B or pop, India Arie strives to make faith, goodness and positive thinking seductive.” Arie was acknowledged by Oprah Winfrey for her steadfast refusal to succumb to female stereotypes that have plagued other female artists. Arie has worked steadily throughout her career to champion causes close to her heart.
As a UN Ambassador for UNICEF, she has traveled to Africa numerous times to address the AIDS crisis. Her songs have been used in various campaigns including “I Am Not My Hair” in Lifetime’s “Stop Breast Cancer for Life” campaign, “What About the Child” in conjunction with UNICEF events, and most recently “There’s Hope” for the ‘By the People, For the People; The Election of Barack Obama’ soundtrack. One hundred percent of the proceeds for this soundtrack are being given to rebuilding efforts in the gulf coast.
Since the release of her first album Acoustic Soul, Arie has won 3 Grammys, 4 NAACP Image Awards, 20 Grammy nominations and received various other awards from BET, Billboard, MTV, VH1, Vogue, Essence, and others.
In the past year, the legendary singer/songwriter received the DC Branch NAACP Centennial Award, was featured in the 2010 Image Award nominated documentary “Leading Women,” and had the privilege of meeting with the Dalai Lama prior to performing at an event for the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN.
