Jordin Sparks to Join DIVAS Simply Singing! 25th Anniversary Gala

Los Angeles, CO, October 10, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Actor and Activist Sheryl Lee Ralph announced the addition of Jordin Sparks to the 25th Annual DIVAS Simply Singing! gala on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 7PM at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in Hollwood. Sparks, an internationally acclaimed singer, actor and entrepreneur, highlights the D.I.V.A. Foundation’s extended mission to raise awareness and prevent HIV/AIDS among millennials and teenagers. The 2007 American Idol winner has sold millions of albums, starred in hit movies, including the late Whitney Houston’s swan song, “Sparkle,” and continues to serve as a hero and role model to countless young people with her new release, “Right Here, Right Now.”

“I am excited that Jordin’s voice will carry our message to a generation that may not realize the danger of HIV/AIDS,” stated Sheryl Lee. “AIDS may not be the death sentence it was in the past, but millions of new infections occur yearly around the world. We still need to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in young people. They need to know about prevention and treatment.”

Sparks’ addition to the 25th Anniversary alongside the Supreme Mary Wilson, Loretta Devine (The Carmichael Show), Jennifer Lewis (Blackish), Grammy winners, A’ngela Winbush, Meli’sa Morgan, rapper YoYo, Alyson Williams, Freda Payne and more promises an exciting evening that also heralds an important milestone for the event. “It’s an honor to lend my voice to the DIVA Foundation’s mission to raise awareness about and prevent HIV/AIDS,” Sparks said. “I am especially excited to be part of this year’s event, DIVAS Simply Singing!, as the organization celebrates its Silver Anniversary. I am grateful that I have the position and platform as an artist to assist my generation, many of whom have not experienced the devastation and loss of friends, family and colleagues that motivated Sheryl Lee to embark on her enduring mission.”

For 25 consecutive years, Sheryl Lee and her friends Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Nancy Wilson, Stacey Ferguson, Rayven Symone, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Jennifer Hudson, Debbie Allen, Mary Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg, Brenda Russell, Melissa Manchester, Sharon Stone just to name a few, have come together to raise their voices in song and commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness and erase stigma. In 1990, Sheryl Lee established The D.I.V.A. Foundation 501(c)3 and created DIVAS Simply Singing! as a loving memorial to the many friends she had lost to AIDS as an original company member of Dreamgirls on Broadway. She continues to use her voice to simply speak up and remember those who died in silence under stigma and shame.

Tickets for DIVAS Simply Singing can be purchased at http://goo.gl/SGknB4 or at The Montlalbán in Hollywood Box Office.