The Playing For Change Foundation’s 2025 Impact Awards gala was nothing short of spectacular—an evening where music, philanthropy, and global unity converged to raise over $2 million for the foundation’s mission. On March 15, 2025, Miami’s Rubell Museum hosted this star-studded affair, honoring The Marley Family, JUANES, and Anitta for their commitment to social change through music. The event, co-chaired by Whitney Kroenke Silverstein & Nick Silverstein; Karolina Kurkova & Archie Drury; and Sandra & Howard Hoffen, was a dazzling display of music’s power to unite and uplift.
Before the awards, guests were whisked into the Capital One Entertainment Garden Party—a lush, Amazon-inspired oasis featuring a Caipirinha Bar, vibrant greenery, and exotic performers—setting the night’s magical tone.
The red carpet sizzled with industry luminaries, including Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, Grammy-winning artist Maxwell, supermodel Lais Ribeiro, model and TV personality Maytee Martinez, NBA legend Alonzo Mourning, and Recording Academy President Panos A. Panay, all showing up in support of PFCF’s mission.
The Marley Family, led by Cedella & Rohan Marley, was recognized for carrying forward Bob Marley’s vision of One Love through their work with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation. Chris Blackwell, a longtime reggae champion, presented the award. In a surprise twist, Blackwell himself received an Impact Award for his lifetime contributions to music and social change. JUANES was honored for his humanitarian work with Fundación Mi Sangre, which has empowered over 2 million people across Colombia. Anitta was celebrated for her advocacy in youth and music education, particularly through her work with Instituto Playing For Change in Brazil.
The evening featured show-stopping performances, with GALE delivering a powerful tribute to JUANES that electrified the crowd. In an unexpected moment, JUANES himself took the stage for a surprise performance. Skip Marley honored his family’s legacy with a stirring set, while youth groups Young Musicians Unite (YMU) & Hip Hop Kidz kept the energy high, reinforcing the night’s theme: music as a force for change.
The celebration continued at Superblue Miami, where Cimafunk turned up the heat with his signature fusion of funk, Afro-Cuban, Latin, and electronic beats—keeping the party alive late into the night.
Among the night’s many philanthropic moments, Jerry Plush won a coveted guitar after an exciting bidding war with his wife, Jessica Plush, and Alitza Weiss made a significant contribution to the foundation’s cause.
Capital One Entertainment, Tiffany & Co., Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Jockey, and SPIN Magazine helped bring this mission-driven night to life, reinforcing Playing For Change Foundation’s impact across 95+ locations in 27 countries.
As the night came to a close, one message remained clear: music is more than a universal language—it’s a tool for transformation.
To learn more or support the cause, visit PlayingForChange.org/Impact.