Melba Moore Named Goodwill Ambassador for UN Slavery Memorial

New York, Jun  7 2011  3:05PM

 The United Nations today named rhythm and blues artist Melba Moore as a Goodwill Ambassador for the construction of a permanent memorial at UN Headquarters in New York to honour the victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

Ms. Moore, in a news conference after the ceremony, said she would concentrate on business communities, celebrities, and the media “to get the word out and get it funded.”

“I may raise my voice in song too,” said the singer, who is also a Tony Award-winning actor.

Ambassador Raymond Wolfe of Jamaica, chairman of the committee established to implement  UN General Assembly resolutions to erect the memorial, said that so far just under $1 million has been collected for the project, which he estimated would cost some  $4.5 by its projected completion target of late 2012.

The Goodwill Ambassador post is in recognition of Ms. Moore’s “contribution to the arts, as well as social injustice causes, particularly in the African-American communities,” Mr. Wolfe said.

Mr. Wolfe also announced that a similar status will be granted to Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage.

Tete Antonio, Permanent Observer of the African Union, said: “We are pleased with the commitment expressed by both Melba Moore and Morgan Heritage to help us to achieve our objective of establishing a lasting legacy at the United Nations in memory of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. This is a significant initiative for all of humanity, but more so for Africans and for persons of African descent.”

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

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About Lisa Randle

Lisa is the Education Outreach Coordinator for Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture and the Site Coordinator for the Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program at the College of Charleston. Lisa is currently working on a PhD in historic archaeology at the University of South Carolina.

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