VANESSA WILLIAMS TAKES CARNEGIE HALL STAGE FEBRUARY 11th FOR WHITEWELD FOUNDATION BENEFIT

All proceeds to benefit AmeriCares, humanitarian lifeline to the world, for tsunami disaster relief

NEW YORK, NY, January 15, 2005 — In the world of popular music, there are few voices and even fewer overall talents that can compare to Vanessa Williams. On February 11th, 2005, The Whiteweld Foundation presents Vanessa Williams at Carnegie Hall, in conjunction with the release of Everlasting Love, her collection of favorite love songs from the 1970’s including hits from such artists as Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers, Jackson Five and more. The Valentine's Weekend concert, the latest in The Whiteweld Foundation Concert Series, will raise funds for humanitarian organization AmeriCares, with funds dedicated to the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami tragedies. Citizens Community Bank of Ridgewood, New Jersey, is a co-sponsor of the event.

Accompanying Ms. Williams for this one-night-only performance will be Rob Mathes, her longtime Musical Director.

Vanessa Williams has made a name for herself in music, theatre, film and television. Her career highlights include three Grammy nominations for her very first album, "The Right Stuff" in 1988; the single "Save the Best for Last," from her second album, which dominated the charts for weeks; and her performance of "Colors of the Wind," the theme from the animated motion picture Pocohontas, which won a Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Grammy Award for Best Song in a Motion Picture. Musically she continues to grow and explore; prior to her new album, Everlasting Love, her last two releases were a Greatest Hits collection and the holiday-themed Silver and Gold.

Her talents have taken her into feature films (Soul Food, Shaft, and Johnson Family Vacation among them), many made-for-tv movies, her own Christmas tv special, and stage appearances to great acclaim. In 1994 she took over the lead in the Broadway musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, a role originated by the legendary Chita Rivera.

Vanessa also received a Tony nomination for her work in the recent revival of Into the Woods, and notably sang the title role in Oscar Hammerstein's Carmen Jones at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Just two months ago her magical voice was back on Broadway for a concert series at the famed Palace Theatre.

Vanessa Williams has been honored with two NAACP Image Awards, nine Grammy Award nominations and a number of New York Music Awards, and her career continues to grow along with her large and adoring fan base.

Everlasting Love is scheduled for release February 1st on Lava Records, a division of Time Warner music.

Tickets for the Vanessa Williams concert at Carnegie Hall are priced at $35-$120 and $200 Gold Circle, and can be purchased at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, or by phone at 212-247-7800. Tickets are also available online at www.whiteweldconcerts.org

About The Whiteweld Foundation.
The Whiteweld Foundation's mission is to promote the health, education, and welfare of children in our communities throughout the United States and abroad. Funds raised are distributed directly and through charitable organizations dedicated to protecting and nurturing children everywhere. www.thewhiteweldfoundation.org

About AmeriCares
AmeriCares is a nonprofit international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs around the world. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $4 billion in humanitarian aid to 137 countries. AmeriCares has been given a
four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible rating for
efficient management practices. For every $100 donated, more than $3,000 of aid is delivered. www.americares.org