WHO:
•    CARLOS VIVES, Grammy & Multi Grammy acclaimed Producer/Songwriter/Performer
•    MARK FEIERSTEIN, Associate Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development
•    SONY MUSIC Latin Executives
WHAT:
•    PRESS CONFERENCE naming Carlos Vives as USAID’s first inclusion ambassador. Vives will promote the rights and inclusion of Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities throughout Colombia.
•    WORLD PREMIER  of the video for “El Mar de Sus Ojos” (featuring ChoQuibTown), Carlos new single which debuted at #1 on the Latin Airplay chart, his 8th #1 and second to debut at #1
•    CELEBRATION of the success of Vives’ album, 3x Grammy winning Corazón Profundo.
WHY: 
Carlos Vives will partner with USAID to advance the social and economic inclusion of Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities in Colombia, which is essential to overcome decades of conflict and move towards peace. These historically marginalized ethnic populations suffer from exploitation, poverty, violence, discrimination, displacement, and exclusion.

In addition, Vives’s album, Corazón Profundo, has been one of the most successful albums in his incredible career. The video for “El Mar de Sus Ojos” (featuring the Afro-Colombian group, ChoQuibTown) highlights a cast of multi-cultural Colombians. It was filmed at culturally significant locations in Bogota.

WHEN:  
10:00am, Friday, April 4, 2014. Media check in 9:00am

WHERE:   
The Brickell Room, Intercontinental Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131

R.S.V.P.
pressreleases@dbaronmedia.com  
Please advise if you are reporter/stillphoto/video

About Carlos Vives
Born in the Caribbean city of Santa Marta, the third largest city of Colombia’s Caribbean Region, Vives has strong ties to the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.   He has made them central characters in his songs’ lyrics and videos, has sung in their ancient language and has invited them to participate in high-visibility events such as the Billboard Music Awards’ red carpet and his stage performances.  He has also spoken frequently about the great influence that the Afro-descendant culture has had on his career and production.  In his most recent hit album Corazón Profundo (Deep Heart), which won five Latin Grammys last year, Carlos Vives included the song “La Fantástica” (The Fantastic) which speaks about diversity and the influence of African descended culture in the city of Cartagena.  He cast Afro-Colombian actors in the song’s video clip.  His new single, “El Mar de Sus Ojos” features performers from many of Colombia’s ethnic communities and celebrates several of the country’s folkloric legends.

About USAID
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for over 50 years. USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.
www.usaid.gov