Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Wyclef Jean has been honored for his work to strengthen and inspire change in his native country of Haiti through his Yéle Haiti organization. The 37-year-old received the Ripple of Hope Award, along with rocker/activist Bono, at a ceremony thrown by The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.

“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them.”

Those attending the ceremony included Harry Belafonte, Matthew Modine, Ana Ortiz, Aasif Mandvi, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

More pics below:

We’ve been talking about this one for awhile now — but last night’s season finale of Entourage featuring Matt Damon did not disappoint. In fact, we can’t remember the last time a charity got so much play on a television series at the hilarious expense of one of its spokespeople. Even Bono and LeBron James made appearances. ET recaps the plot saying:

In the episode, Damon tried to enlist the star power of Vince (played by Grenier) to travel on a mission to Ohio to help fight hunger amongst children. Work obligations prevented Vince from going on this trip, but Damon wouldn’t let him get off that easy. Showing true dedication to the charitable cause, Damon asked Vince to donate money in a sequence of phone calls and conversations that escalate at times to quite a heated exchange of words.

Damon is always funniest when he’s pissed off — and his interactions with Vince and the crew lead to some classic moments. The scene after the credits roll is particularly memorable with anger leading to crying and ending in apologies.

Hopefully, all of this exposure for ONEXONE — which works to improve the lives of children around the world — will pay off with donations and increased awareness of the org. The official site has even setup an “Entourage” page where you can see some behind-the-scenes videos of the actors lending their voices to the cause.

Kudos to Damon and company for jumping on board to have fun with the celebrity charity scene — and help make a difference at the same time. Check out a scene from last night’s Entourage finale below. [Warning: Strong language, tears.]

You know what Bono and his wife Ali Hewson need? More money!

Apparently, the two will be getting just that after LVMH (LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA) announced yesterday an almost-50 percent minority stake in Edun — the eco-friendly and ethical fashion line started by the pair. “With LVMH, we can step up (Edun’s) development, giving greater stability to our suppliers and the local communities they support,” Bono said in LVMH’s statement.

And we agree. Besides padding the singer’s pockets with a bit more cash, this infusion will also help Edun expand it’s eco-friendly brand and do more to help third world countries. “We are proud to contribute to the operational development of Edun and to the improvement of living standards of local communities,” said LVMH Chief Executive Bernard Arnault.

More details on the deal available here.

via TheCut

Bono

The ceremony was held in Paris and honored the U2 frontman for his global campaign to persuade rich nations to lend assistance to the struggling continent.

Bono told the crowd, which included fellow Nobel laureates, “This is a very big award for me, because let’s be honest this is as close as I am going to get – as close as a rock star is ever going to get to the Nobel Peace Prize. I am an over-awarded, over-rewarded rock star. You are the people who do the real work. So I am very, very pleased to be in such esteemed company.”

From all of us here at the Razz a big congrats to Bono for all his efforts! Keep up the great work!

Some of the biggest names in music are donating their names and talent to support (RED)WIRE – a new digital magazine aimed at helping fight the spread of AIDS in Africa.

If that RED names sounds a little familiar, it’s because (RED)WIRE is an offshoot of the activist organization RED founded by U2 frontman Bono last year. Not only will the magazine be digital (thus SUPER green), but all proceeds will benefit HIV-infected people in Africa.

For only 5 dollars a year you can subscribe to (RED)WIRE and receive a new issue every Wednesday, featuring an exclusive song from a major musician, a song from a new performer and a multimedia presentation about how the organization is helping Africans in need. SIGN ME UP!

Oh and you better believe the music is gonna rock, because about a bazillion stars are getting involved like: U2, Coldplay, the Dixie Chicks, John Legend, REM, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, the Police, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Elton John and Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys.

To find out more and get YOUR subscription, visit RedWire.com!

The legitimacy of a charity seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. I’ve been amazed at the responses to the recent post on a Scientology benefit for charity. That conversation may not have been that surprising (I’m not Scientology’s OMG #1 Fan myself!), but when I heard that charities run by Bono — one of my favorite celebs ever– George Clooney, and other famous people might not be as legit as they claim, I was pretty shocked.

Apparently, Bono’s DATA Foundation (now part of One), which works to eliminate poverty and AIDS in Africa, raised $31 million in 2006–but only used $6 million of that for charity. The rest went to transportation, security, and U2 tour tickets. Clooney’s Not on Our Watch (also founded by Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and others), which fights genocide, has some shady dealings with an offshore gambling company. Wyclef Jean, Osi Umenyiora, Tyra Banks, Larry King, Gary Payton, Petra Nemcova, Magic Johnson and Dyan Cannon also seem to have skeletons in their charities’ closets; read more about them here.

So what do you think? Do a few gray areas make a charity all bad? Do any of these charities sound completely illegitimate to you, or do you think they still have redeeming qualities?

“Bankruptcy is a serious business and we all know people who have lost their jobs. But this is moral bankruptcy.”

– Lead singer of U2 Bono speaking today during day two of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Bono

Besides Bono, celebrities like Michael Stipe, Mario Batali, Helena Christensen and Mena Suvari have all lent their creativity to raise money for the Food Bank For New York City.

As the city’s major hunger-relief organization, the Food Bank For New York City works hard to end food poverty and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs. The Food Bank’s initiatives focus on direct services, food sourcing and distribution, education and nutrition, financial empowerment, disaster relief and policy and research.

The cans be available for public viewing at The Conran Shop in New York (407 East 59th Street) from September 4, before being auctioned off on Thursday, September 18, at the Winston Wächter Fine Art Gallery.

To find out how you can get a fancy pants trash can, or if you just want to check out the cool designs, visit ConranUSA.com!

thanks: looktothestars.org

The Global Fund was started by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 and has already received over $110 million from RED-brand apparel and events.

Julia’s design simply has the words, “revolution. evolution. devotion” arched over a tree of life that Roberts’ herself created. The shirt will available for men and women with 40 percent of the gross proceeds going towards the organization.

Learn more about the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on their website.

thanks: looktothestars.org

Where do some other favorite Ecorazzi regulars sit on the list? Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger comes in at 33, Tom Hanks at 34, and Bono at 36. Stephen Colbert (45), John Stewart (44) and Oprah Winfrey (43) are all neck ‘n neck. Surprisingly, George Clooney dropped from 27 to 55 this year!

The V.F. 100 appears in the October issue of Vanity Fair, on newsstands in New York and Los Angeles on September 3 and nationally on September 9.

THE VANITY FAIR 100:
2007 ranking in parentheses

1. Vladimir Putin, Russian Prime Minister (new entry)
2. Rupert Murdoch, News Corp. (1)
3. Sergey Brin (3), Larry Page (3), and Eric Schmidt (new entry), Google
4. Steve Jobs, Apple, Disney, and Pixar (2)
5. Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway (5)
6. Jeff Bezos, Amazon (23)
7. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai (new entry)
8. Roman Abramovich, Millhouse Capital (30)
9. Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt, actors, activists (new entry)
10. Al Gore, eco-warrior (19)
11. Bill Clinton, Clinton Foundation (6)
12. Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York, Bloomberg L.P. (9)
13. Bernard Arnault, LVMH (8)
14. Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks SKG (7)
15. Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren (13)
16. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft (returning)
17. François-Henri Pinault, PPR (new entry)
18. Barry Diller & Diane von Furstenberg (15), IAC; Diane von Furstenberg (15)
19. H. Lee Scott, Wal-Mart (12)
20. Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman Sachs (new entry)
21. Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase (new entry)
22. David Geffen, DreamWorks SKG (16)
23. George Lucas, Lucasfilm (40)
24. Jerry Bruckheimer, Jerry Bruckheimer Films (26)
25. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook (new entry)
26. Ronald Perelman, MacAndrews & Forbes (31)
27. Jeff Bewkes, Time Warner (22)
28. John Lasseter (66), Andrew Stanton (new entry), and Brad Bird (new entry), Pixar, Disney
29. Herb Allen, Allen & Co. (21)
30. Miuccia Prada, Prada S.p.A. (44)
31. Damien Hirst, conceptual artist (new entry)
32. Sumner Redstone, Viacom, CBS (70)
33. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California (50)
34. Tom Hanks, actor, director, producer (32)
35. Robert Iger, Disney (36)
36. Bono, singer, humanitarian (28)
37. Larry Ellison, Oracle (20)
38. Larry Gagosian, Gagosian Gallery (84)
39. Howard Stringer, Sony (17)
40. Peter Chernin, News Corp. (24)
41. Philippe Dauman, Viacom (68)
42. Vivi Nevo, NV Investments (59)
43. Oprah Winfrey, Harpo Productions (14)
44. Jon Stewart, The Daily Show (89)
45. Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report (87)
46. Carlos Slim Helú, Teléfonos de México, América Móvil (11)
47. Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel (52)
48. Giorgio Armani, Armani Group (37)
49. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, Kingdom Holding Company (new entry)
50. Mike Nichols & Diane Sawyer, director; ABC News anchor (42)
51. Jacob Rothschild, financier (33)
52. Mickey Drexler, J. Crew (55)
53. Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation (38)
54. Leslie Moonves, CBS (25)
55. George Clooney, actor, producer, director, activist (27)
56. Jay-Z, hip-hop (47)
57. Oscar & Annette de la Renta, Oscar de la Renta (53)
58. Judd Apatow, producer, director, actor, writer (new entry)
59. Robert De Niro, Tribeca Enetrprises, Tribeca Productions (34)
60. Bill Keller, The New York Times (new entry)
61. Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones (60)
62. Bruce Wasserstein, Lazard; Wasserstein & Co. (43)
63. Ted Forstmann, IMG Worldwide (new entry)
64. Anna Wintour, Vogue (new entry)
65. Brian Roberts, Comcast (57)
66. Brian Grazer & Ron Howard, Imagine Entertainment (65)
67. Mukesh & Anil Ambani, Reliance Industries, Reliance ADA Group (new entry)
68. Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal (returning)
69. Jeff Skoll, Participant Media (61)
70. Jonathan Ive, Apple (83)
71. William McDonough, William McDonough & Partners (new entry)
72. Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard (new entry)
73. Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo (new entry)
74. Matt Drudge, the Drudge Report (new entry)
75. Donatella Versace, Gianni Versace S.p.A. (77)
76. Diego Della Valle, Tod’s (63)
77. Henry Kravis, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (51)
78. Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, LVMH (returning)
79. Jean Pigozzi, investor, art collector (86)
80. Paul Allen, Vulcan Inc. (71)
81. Charlie Rose, Charlie Rose (80)
82. Frank Rich, The New York Times, HBO (82)
83. John Galliano, Christian Dior, Galliano (new entry)
84. Jann Wenner, Wenner Media (74)
85. Joel & Ethan Coen, movies (new entry)
86. John Malone, Liberty Media (69)
87. Harvey & Bob Weinstein, the Weinstein Company (41)
88. Michael Moritz, Sequoia Capital (56)
89. Steven Rattner, Quadrangle Group (97)
90. Arianna Huffington, the Huffington Post (98)
91. John Paulson, Paulson & Co. (new entry)
92. Vinod Khosla, Khosla Ventures (62)
93. Jerry Weintraub, Jerry Weintraub Productions (76)
94. Tobias Meyer, Sotheby’s (new entry)
95. Tom Brokaw, NBC News (returning)
96. Doug Morris, Universal Music Group (99)
97. Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville (96)
98. Jeffrey Sachs, the Earth Institute at Columbia University, Millennium Promise (new entry)
99. Steven Cohen, S.A.C. Capital Advisors (45)
100. Walter Mossberg, The Wall Street Journal (new entry)

Source: Vanity Fair