ウィスパリング同時通訳研究会コミュのDistinguished Leadership Awards DLA - 2020 Lionel Richie

CLEMENTINE STARLING: I now pass to a fellow Atlantic Council next-generation leader to introduce our final honoree for the evening. Clintandra, over to you.

CLINTANDRA THOMPSON: Thank you so much, Clementine.

The next honoree certainly inspires our third and final honoree this evening. I’m Clintandra Thompson, web manager and co-chair of the Atlantic Council’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. I am delighted to introduce our next segment of our program that celebrates the legendary career of music icon, producer, and philanthropist, Lionel Richie.

His multigenerational influence on the music industry and personal commitment to a range of humanitarian causes certainly exemplifies the very essence of distinguished, artistic leadership. Lionel Richie is everything we hope to highlight with this award.

Let’s take a moment to review why.

(A video presentation begins.)

(Music plays.)

LIONEL RICHIE: Get this: thirty-five years later, I’m going to do the same thing I did when I started my career.

(Music plays.)

Working with His Royal Highness, I must say to you today, we have known each other for a number of years, and I’ve been involved with the Prince’s Trust, and I’ve seen exactly the work that has been done, and it’s amazing. But I never thought in my lifetime that I would actually be faced with a situation where, what do I do with the rest of my life. And after “We are the World,” I kept thinking, well, that was pretty amazing, but now how do I take that to the—how do I take that to the next stage? And then of course I received the phone call, and the phone call says would you like to be a part of the global ambition of the Prince’s Trust? I am taking on the mantle for the rest, and so I accept this wonderful honor, and I look forward to working with you, sir, and the Prince’s Trust, in getting this done around the world. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

(Music plays.)

It all started with a little group called The Mystics that morphed over into the Commodores, that morphed over into forty years of music. Now where are we going? Only God knows. But the beautiful part about this is I’m sitting in the front seat of this, and I can’t wait for you to take the journey with me. It’s going to be so exciting, and I just tell you that I have things on the drawing board—can’t tell you yet—but I’ll see you, looking at me, looking at you, looking at me.

(Video presentation ends.)

CLINTANDRA THOMPSON: To provide introductory remarks for Mr. Lionel Richie, it gives me immense pleasure to welcome the founder of Black Entertainment Television—otherwise known as BET—and RLJ companies, and his personal friend, Mr. Bob Johnson.

ROBERT L. JOHNSON: It is an overused cliché that this honoree needs no introduction. Lionel Richie, by definition, is the quintessential honoree who never requires an introduction. Our honoree, based on facts, is a universally acclaimed musical icon and genius, a poetic lyricist, and multi-talented singer of songs that spanned generations of listeners, embrace and captivate global cultures and challenge all humanity to recognize, truly, we are the world.

Witness these accomplishments and accolades of our honoree. Lionel Richie is one of only two song writers in history to achieve the honor of having a number one record for nine consecutive years with more than one hundred million albums sold worldwide; an Oscar, a Golden Globe, four Grammy Awards, and a Kennedy Center honoree in 2017.

Lionel Richie is known for his mega-hits such as “Endless Love,” “Lady,” “Truly,” “All Night Long,” “Stuck on You,” “Hello,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” and co-wrote one of the most important pop songs in history, “We are the World.” Among accolades, one of the accomplishments Lionel Richie is actually most proud of is his bachelor’s degree in economics from Tuskegee University.

One cannot be called by fate to possess and to share the blessings of such awesome musical talent without recognizing that this calling has a purpose. Lionel has fulfilled that purpose through personal and cooperative philanthropy throughout his illustrious career. His commitment and support for causes has played a critical part in helping to make the world better.

A few examples: In spring of 2019, Lionel was named Global Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity founded by Prince Charles, prince of Wales, that helps young people all over the world achieve their dream and transform their lives.

Lionel was honored at the 23rd Annual Power of Love Gala in Las Vegas that raises funds for the Cleveland Clinic to provide resources for patients in the fight against cognitive disease. In 2016, he received one of his biggest honors when named MusicCares Person of the Year. MusicCares is a charity that has provided more than $80 million in help and financial resources to music people in times of need.

Lionel’s unselfish generosity has inspired him to live up to his favorite words of wisdom from Aristotle: Goodness lies not in abundance; abundance lies in goodness.

I am honored beyond words to congratulate and salute my friend, my brother, Lionel, as he receives the Atlantic Council 2020 Distinguished Artistic Leadership Award.

LIONEL RICHIE: Thank you so much, Bob, for your kind words and warm welcome. And also, thank you for using a great part of what I had planned for my speech. But you did a great job in kind of summarizing where I wanted to go.

But I also want to thank the members of the Atlantic Council for honoring me with this prestigious 2020 Distinguished Artist Leadership Award.

You know, getting to this part of your life and your career, it is very important that we just take fame, and power, and recognition to give back. And that is exactly what I’ve been trying to do throughout my entire career because there are so many people who need a voice, who need someone to speak on their behalf, and every chance I get, I like to take that opportunity to give them their voice, to give them their light.

And so today I’m very, very honored to receive this award, and thank you so much to everyone. I will now cherish this because it means so much to me that you understand what the world needs now are people who understand the plight of the voiceless.

Thank you so much, everybody. God bless you.

REED BLAKEMORE: Thank you, Mr. Richie, for using your global platform to touch so many around the world. To echo you, you have certainly given a voice to the voiceless, especially in a year marked by a pandemic, economic recession, and a continuing fight for justice and equality.