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Whitney Houston's iconic musical legacy continues to make history and will be celebrated at the third annual Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation Gala. Set to take place on Friday, Aug. 9, the event—presented by the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation and Primary Wave—coincides with what would have been Whitney's 61st birthday, PEOPLE can exclusively announce
The date also precedes the 30th anniversary of Whitney's three historic post-apartheid visits and performances in South Africa following Nelson Mandela's 1994 presidential election win. Whitney, who passed away in 2012 at age 48, was the first major musician to visit and perform in the newly unified nation. Her concerts included performances at Durban's Kings Park Stadium on Nov. 8, 1994, Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium (Emirates Airline Park) on Nov. 12, 1994—broadcast live for the HBO special Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa—and a final performance at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium on Nov. 19, 1994. A portion of the proceeds from these concerts supported local South African children's charities.
The upcoming gala, which will honor Whitney and her contributions, is scheduled to be held at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta. The event will feature Grammy-winning artist Yolanda Adams as the headliner and a special performance by Whitney's brother and longtime duet partner, Gary Houston. Other performers include Gregory Sams and Denisia Denisa, winners of The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation’s cover song competition.
Kevin Frazier from Entertainment Tonight and Whitney's sister-in-law, Pat Houston—also president of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation—will host the event. The gala will include a silent and online auction, as well as the presentation of scholarships to students studying the arts at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Last month, Pat and members of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation revisited several locations in South Africa that Whitney frequented
during her 1994 visit, including the Orlando Children's Home and the Nelson Mandela home (now the Nelson Mandela Museum), where Whitney
planted a tree.
“Our trip to South Africa a few weeks ago was very fulfilling and emotional,” Pat shared in a press statement. “Some of us haven't been back since 1994. Whitney would be proud to know that the Orlando Children's Home is still serving an important role in the community. She would also be pleased about the substantial growth in the country in many areas. And she would be delighted to know that the tree she planted at the Nelson Mandela Museum is flourishing and surrounded by love.”
The upcoming gala, which will honor Whitney and her contributions, is scheduled to be held at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta. The event will feature Grammy-winning artist Yolanda Adams as the headliner and a special performance by Whitney's brother and longtime duet partner, Gary Houston. Other performers include Gregory Sams and Denisia Denisa, winners of The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation’s cover song competition.
Kevin Frazier from Entertainment Tonight and Whitney's sister-in-law, Pat Houston—also president of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation—will host the event. The gala will include a silent and online auction, as well as the presentation of scholarships to students studying the arts at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Last month, Pat and members of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation revisited several locations in South Africa that Whitney frequented
during her 1994 visit, including the Orlando Children's Home and the Nelson Mandela home (now the Nelson Mandela Museum), where Whitney
planted a tree.
“Our trip to South Africa a few weeks ago was very fulfilling and emotional,” Pat shared in a press statement. “Some of us haven't been back since 1994. Whitney would be proud to know that the Orlando Children's Home is still serving an important role in the community. She would also be pleased about the substantial growth in the country in many areas. And she would be delighted to know that the tree she planted at the Nelson Mandela Museum is flourishing and surrounded by love.”
