Today Rihanna announced plans for the first annual Diamond Ball, a black tie fundraising event benefiting The Clara Lionel Foundation. Founded in 2012, the Clara Lionel Foundation works to improve the quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts, and culture. Rihanna will perform at the first annual Diamond Ball taking place on December 11th at The Vineyard in Beverly Hills and will announce additional special guests soon.
“One of the greatest benefits of my job was being able to start the Clara Lionel Foundation in honor of my grandparents,” said Rihanna. “There is truly nothing I’m more proud of and we’ve just gotten started. I’m excited to continue my work and thrilled to be able to host the Diamond Ball – a night that promises to be elegant and inspirational.”
Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty founded the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) in 2012, in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. CLF’s grants fund efforts promoting health, education, arts and culture globally. Since the age of 17, Rihanna has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for charitable causes, many of which she has personally donated to. Her remarkable and inspiring legacy of service to others will continue in the mission, programs, and partnerships of the Clara Lionel Foundation.
The Clara Braithwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was officially named in 2012. What began with a heartfelt, personal donation has transformed into a comprehensive effort to deliver quality treatment for cancer patients in Barbados. Rihanna witnessed first-hand the inefficiencies and great need for development in the healthcare system during her grandmother’s battle with the disease. To date Rihanna has personally donated funds to establish the existing center and purchased the facility’s first modern radiotherapy machine, the Equinox Beam. Funds raised from the Diamond Ball will go into improving the center, purchasing equipment and infrastructure planning, a projected cost of $2.4 million.
The second phase of CLF’s endeavor to support quality medical care in Barbados is in development. There is a great need for the purchase of additional radiotherapy equipment and a healthcare infrastructure that can sustain quality treatment standards. The organization aims to address these issues and others as the program expands.
The Diamond Ball will host approximately 600 guests, ranging from entertainment and business executives to celebrities and philanthropists, at The Vineyard, a private 157-acre enclave in Beverly Hills. Table and ticket packages will include dinner, a live auction and very special, intimate performance by Rihanna, who will be accompanied by a live orchestra.