University Union presents an evening with John Legend on Sept. 23

Certified platinum-selling, six time Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend will speak at Syracuse University on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center as guest of University Union Performing Arts. Tickets—$10 for students and $20 for faculty and staff with a valid SU I.D.—are available at the Schine Box Office (443-4517).

Legend will speak about his philanthropic work and humanitarian efforts, specifically in Africa, and will also perform. Among his recent charitable activities, Legend performed at the Live Earth concert in London; participated in Gap’s (Project Red) campaign; and donated a share of the proceeds from his recent Madison Square Garden concert to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In addition, Legend is a national spokesman for the nonprofit organization Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT).

Some of his most notable charitable work is with Jeffrey Sachs, professor and director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and author of “The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time” (Penguin, 2006). Legend was inspired after reading Sachs’ book and began the “Show Me Campaign” working alongside Sachs’ Millennium Promise Alliance to encourage sustainable development and educate impoverished villages on issues such as malaria, disease, proper hygiene and clean water.

Legend, born John Stephens, was given the nickname “The Legend” by a friend. While he was introduced to music at a young age, taking piano lessons and singing in his church’s choir throughout his childhood, Legend did not pursue a serious career in music until after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania at age 20. Upon graduation, he worked as a consultant for a global management consulting firm and played and produced demos in his free time.

Legend’s college roommate and friend, Devon Harris, more commonly known as Devo Springsteen, introduced Legend to his cousin, Kanye West, and from there his career took off. Legend, often deemed as West’s protégé, signed onto West’s production company, KonMan Entertainment. Not long after, Legend signed with Sony Music, which released his debut and sophomore albums, “Get Lifted” (2004) and “Once Again” (2006), respectively. Legend’s most recent album, “Evolver” (2008) was released by West’s label, G.O.O.D. Music, which is distributed by Sony. The two have worked together on numerous occasions and collaborated with a wide range of artists and musicians. Legend’s vocals are also featured on a long list of songs, including the works of Alicia Keyes, Jay-Z, Dilated Peoples, Will.I.Am and John Mayer.

 For more information on Legend’s appearance at SU, contact Brittany Frederickson, public relations chair for University Union, at (732) 995-1809 or press.uu@gmail.com.