Shared Interest News

WHAT:  Shared Interest, a leading New York-based non-profit social investment fund, will honor Her Excellency Graça Machel, Founder and President of the Foundation for Community Development for Mozambique and Former First Lady of Mozambique and South Africa, at its 15th annual awards gala on March 30 in New York City.  H.E. Graça Machel will be honored for her courageous defense of the rights of Southern Africa’s women and children. A passionate social and political activist, Machel has worked for decades to strengthen communities and facilitate social and economic justice and development in southern Africa.

The awards dinner will also honor Dr. Price Cobbs, a world-renowned author, psychiatrist and President of Pacific Management Systems, a management consulting company. Dr. Cobbs, a member of the Shared Interest Board of Directors, will be recognized for his lifelong commitment to racial and economic justice in South Africa and the United States.
Johnson & Johnson Co. will receive the Corporate Award for the company’s significant efforts to build a new South Africa through its high ethical and philanthropic standards and support for the country’s emerging microentrepreneurs.
Distinguished U.S. and African leaders and top diplomats will gather for the annual event that recognizes leaders for their commitment and ongoing work towards economic democracy and development in the new South Africa. Shared Interest’s mission is to mobilize the resources for South Africa’s economically disenfranchised communities to sustain themselves and build an equitable nation. Since Shared Interest began in 1994, its loan guarantees and technical support have benefited more than 1.5 million black South Africans – the majority of them women.
The evening performance will feature recording artist Nathi Gcabashe and the South African All Star Band. Michelle Miller, CBS News correspondent, will serve as the gala emcee. This year’s major corporate sponsors are Johnson & Johnson, MTV Networks, and The Nielsen Company.
WHEN:                 Monday, March 30, 2009 - 6:00 PM - Cocktail Reception
                              7:00 PM - Awards Dinner
 
WHERE:               Tavern on the Green, Central Park West, 67th St., New York City 
 
HONOREES:       H.E. Graça Machel, Founder and President of the Foundation for Community Development for Mozambique and Former First Lady of Mozambique and South Africa
 
Dr. Price Cobbs, world-renowned author and psychiatrist, President of Pacific Management Systems and member of the Shared Interest Board of Directors
 
Corporate Honoree - Johnson & Johnson
 
ABOUT SHARED INTEREST: Shared Interest, a leading New York-based non-profit social investment fund, envisions a just and vibrant South African economy that eliminates disparities and upholds the basic human rights enshrined in the constitution - a South African society that serves as a model of economic justice. It conducts its work in South Africa in conjunction with its partner, the Pretoria-based Thembani International Guarantee Fund.

CONTACT:  Shanta Bryant Gyan 646. 290.8211; shanta@sbgcommunications.com * www.sharedinterest.org