On April 2, 2003, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding held its Annual Spring Benefit at the New York home of Denise Rich.

The Foundation presented its Joseph Papp Racial Harmony Awards to Roc-A-Fella Records Recording Artist Jay-Z, and Jive Records President Barry Weiss, for their commitment and dedication to the strengthening of Black/Jewish relations. Foundation President Rabbi Marc Schneier and Secretary Russell Simmons presented the awards. During the ceremony, Jay-Z spoke of his close relationship with Island Def Jam executives Lyor Cohen and Julie Greenwald, and Mr. Weiss shared about his experiences growing up in a music family that worked intimately with recording artists that were African-American.

Sony Discos Chairman Oscar Llord received the first annual Latino Racial Harmony Award. Mr. Llord has played an integral role in establishing the crossover appeal of many leading Latino recording artists. Anheuser-Busch Companies, which has a distinguished history of promoting diversity in the workplace, was honored with The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding's Corporate Diversity Award. Johnny Furr, Vice President of Sales Development and Community Affairs, accepted the award.

More than 150 people were in attendance, including former Racial Harmony Award recipients Lyor Cohen, CEO of Island Def Jam, New York trail lawyer Benjamin Brafman and Matthew Schilowitz, CEO of MCS/Pseudo Entertainment. Damon Dash, CEO of Jay-Z's label, Roc-A-Fella Records, and Foundation Secretary Russell Simmons' wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, attended as well, along with record executives from Arista, Def Jam, Dreamworks, EMI and Jive.

The Annual Spring Benefit celebrates The Foundation's national role in Black/Jewish and Latino/Jewish relations in the United States.

Copyright © 2003 The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding
The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp. We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities is the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding.

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