Tito Jackson named JOOF ambassador to Kenya and honorary citizen
Musician Tito Jackson, brother of the late singer Michael Jackson, attends a press conference at Novelli's Hotel on July 21, 2009 in Marbella, Spain. (Getty Images)
April 21, 2011 (New York, NY) – On April 16, 2011, entertainment and music legend Tito Jackson was awarded the title of U.S. Ambassador to Kenya for the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (J.O.O.F.) and Honorary Citizen of Kenya by Kenya’s Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City, CA. The ambassadorial ceremony in which Tito Jackson was honored marked the Kenyan Prime Minister’s inaugural trip to Los Angeles and the launch of the J.O.O.F. in the United States.
In his duties as Ambassador, Tito Jackson will serve as a national spokesman for J.O.O.F. and work in collaboration with Kenyan Ambassador Dr. Wenwa Akinyi Oranga along with the J.O.O.F. Board of Directors to create and develop projects and events to bring global awareness to the organization and its initiative in Kenya. The new U.S. office of J.O.O.F. is based in Los Angeles, CA, the same location of the consulate where Ambassador Dr. Wenwa Akinyi Oranga operates. One of many projects already in development since Tito Jackson’s April 16th appointment is an annual concert event that will serve as a fundraiser for health initiatives and the children of Kenya, where he and his band will perform.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named J.O.O.F. Ambassador and Honorary Citizen of Kenya by Prime Minister Odinga,” says Tito Jackson. “I look forward to tackling the important issues of health and education in this east African country. Kenya is battling a number of life-threatening diseases including HIV/AIDS, which has always been an important cause for my family and me. Through a combination of education and resources these health issues can be prevented. There is a lot of work to be done and I can’t think of a better organization than J.O.O.F. to spearhead the effort, so I am extremely proud and grateful to be a part of this lifesaving foundation.”
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (J.O.O.F.) is a non-profit organization that conceives, develops and facilitates philanthropic and welfare programs for the disadvantaged in Kenyan society. Established in 1995, J.O.O.F. is committed to preserving and promoting the legacy of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga–a teacher, leader, and statesman who devoted his life to the service of Kenya and the people of Africa–along with the betterment of the Kenyan people. Areas of focus include cultural rejuvenation, democracy and empowerment, health and education, socio-economic empowerment, corporate partnerships, and documentation and research.
“We are absolutely delighted to honor Tito with this prestigious ambassadorship,”says J.O.O.F. Board of Trustees member and TV television personality April Sutton. “We couldn’t think of a better individual to represent global unity and global awareness for the children of Kenya, and we look forward to what he will be able to contribute to J.O.O.F. as a world-class entertainer, humanitarian and now an official ambassador.”
Stateside, Tito Jackson is poised to kick off his solo career this summer with the upcoming release of the album, So Far So Good. Although Tito Jackson may be the last of the 9 Jackson siblings to parlay the legendary family name into a solo career–he already holds the distinction of being a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee for his work with the Jackson 5–the release of So Far So Good will further elevate his status as an entertainment legend within the music industry.
The album’s lead single, “We Made It,”debuted on February 16, 2011 in the U.S. on The Tom Joyner Morning Show. The song is an anthem of positivity and perseverance, which reflects the Jackson family journey and marks Tito Jackson’s return to the studio since the untimely passing of his brother.
For more information on Tito Jackson and his debut solo album, So Far So Good, please follow him on Twitter @TitoJackson5 and visit: http://www.TitoJackson.com
For more information on J.O.O.F., please visit: http://www.joofusa.org
