GREGORY PORTER AND COMMON RECORD SONG, “RUNNING” FOR WORLD REFUGEE DAY

For immediate release

GREGORY PORTER AND COMMON RECORD SONG, “RUNNING” FOR WORLD REFUGEE DAY

Proceeds from the song will benefit organizations such as Refugees International, Human Rights First and the International Rescue Committee among other organizations that focus on the current refugee crisis

  23 JUNE 2016 (Toronto, ON) – Available globally today for World Refugee Day, Grammy award-winning singer Gregory Porter and Academy award-winning rapper and actor Common collaborated to record a song called “Running”. Proceeds from “Running” will benefit organizations dedicated to advocacy and frontline support for the urgent needs of the more than 60 million people who have been forcibly displaced worldwide.   “Running” is available to download for a donation on refugeesong.com and is also available on iTunes. The official music video can be viewed on HERE.   “This tragedy affects all of us. I am grateful to lend my voice to these courageous survivors. I hope everyone downloads the song so we can raise desperately needed money to help these families and let them know we have nothing but love for them,” said Gregory Porter.   Proceeds from “Running” will benefit organizations Refugees International (RI), Human Rights First (HRF), and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), as well as other frontline NGOs struggling to address the crisis. Collectively, these organizations impact the lives of millions of refugees around the world. Proceeds will support initiatives such as education for refugee children, emergency relief, and supporting global advocacy for rapid resettlement plans.   "Every one of us has a role to play in standing with the millions of refugees who have endured unimaginable hardship. Let us unite against intolerance with compassion and understanding,” said Refugees International President Michel Gabaudan.   Exasperated by the refugee crisis and determined to be proactive, “Running”, written by Grammy award-winning trumpeter and platinum producer Keyon Harrold and singer and social entrepreneur Andrea Pizziconi, is the first installment of an initiative called Compositions for a Cause created by Pizziconi, Harrold, and businessman and political strategist Jonathan Reynaga, who are all dedicated to advancing social justice through innovative music collaborations.   “It is a disgrace that almost 70% of refugees will spend 17 years living in a refugee camp. That’s an entire generation of children left vulnerable.  We couldn’t just sit on the sidelines so we created this campaign to inspire others into action as well,” said Andrea Pizziconi.   All the featured artists and partners involved in the “Running” campaign have donated their time and contributions to the project and campaign.   Keep up with the campaign on refugeesong.com.  Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @RefugeeSong using #RefugeeSong. To be part of the World Refugee Day conversation use #WorldRefugeeDay.  

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