We Are The World
"Ken Kragen is a phenomenon. I've worked with him in his role as an entertainment mogul and also as a humanitarian. He knows everyone and knows how to get things accomplished."
— Jane Pauley, NBC
"USA For Africa" affected millions of lives and inspired similar efforts from dozens of others. With an outstanding board headed by Kragen, "USA For Africa" carefully allocated its resources to do the maximum good. They rarely gave out cash but instead bought needed supplies of food, medicine, and even items such as truck repair parts for organizations and individuals that had demonstrated an ability to make a real impact on people's lives.
'We Are The World' stands as a shining example of how to make a lasting impact. The song continues to inspire those who strive to better the world. Ken Kragen was honored with the prestigious United Nations Peace Medal for his role in these efforts, among numerous other accolades.
When Harry Belafonte telephoned Ken Kragen just before Christmas in 1984, he had no idea what he was setting in motion. Belafonte wanted Kragen to organize a concert to raise money to fight starvation in Africa. Kragen quickly turned this idea into one of the most significant humanitarian events of the 20th century.
Working day and night, Kragen assembled 45 of the world's most influential recording artists, got Quincy Jones to produce, and got Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson to write the timeless anthem, "We Are The World."
Ken Kragen accomplished all this in 28 days, a testament to his remarkable efficiency. The 'We Are The World' single and album swiftly raised millions of dollars ($64 million), and Kragen established the highly influential "USA For Africa" organization to distribute the funds. With an administrative overhead of only 7%, the charity continues to impact Africa significantly and beyond.