TGIF FEATURE: "Shine A Light" - A concert for progress on race in America

John Legend and Pink duet on "Someday We'll All Be Free" 

DO YOU WANT do do something to promote racial peace in America? Tired of waiting for something to happen? Tired of waiting for someone, anyone, to do something, to act? Tired of just ... waiting?

"Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America" is a two-hour special event featuring the biggest names in music as they join together to perform, promote unity and progress on racial equity, and encourage reconciliation and positive change in local communities.

Robert Sharenow, executive vice president and general manager of A&E Networks, which will carry Friday's show on A&E, the History Channel, Lifetime, H2, LMN and FYI, said that the idea for the concert and special was a response to the shooting in June at the historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston that left nine churchgoers dead.

"There was a universal reaction of horror from all sides of our company," Sharenow said. "We're a big media company. We thought, 'Is there something we can do to raise awareness? To raise money?'"

The musicians wanted to do something more than have a "kumbaya" moment. Some of the artists include Pharrell Williams, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Pink, Sting, and more.

WATCH: More great performances by clicking here. 

It is clear that the nation’s long struggle with racial bias is far from over. But in the past year we also have witnessed moments of inspiration, most notably from members of the Charleston community, who, in the face of hatred, did something amazing. They forgave.

Incidents of racial bigotry have impacted Asian/Americans just as it has other people of color: anti-Chinese graffiti in San Francisco, the beating of an Indian grandfather, a questionable focus on Chinese scientists by the FBI, the beating of an Asian family by motorcyclists, anti-immigrant rhetoric from supposed political leaders ... the list continues to grow.

That reaction inspired A+E Networks to create the Fund for Progress on Race in America Powered by the United Way to support organizations and individuals (through a sponsoring organization) working to heal historic racial divides, identify and eradicate bias, and activate solutions, as well as to directly aid the Charleston community that inspired this effort.

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The inaugural donation from the Fund is expected to help seed the Master Planning process for a new memorial wing at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel Church, which will also tell the story of the rich history of the oldest AME church in the south. A portion of the proceeds from concert ticket sales will go to the City of Charleston’s Mother Emanuel Hope Fund to provide support for victims’ families and survivors.

There are also many organizations and individuals doing great work to raise awareness about the causes and effects of racial divisiveness; to promote social and criminal justice reform; and to help eliminate racial bias and discrimination. Donations to the fund will be used to provide grants to organizations and individuals working on making such progress on issues of race in America.

DONATE: Show your support by donating to the Fund for Progress on Race in America. 

FOR MORE INFO about the Fund and to see if your organization qualifies for a grant, go to this website.

Your donations to the Fund will help to provide grants to those who are doing great work to raise awareness about the causes and effects of racial divisiveness, promote social and criminal justice reform, and help eliminate racial bias and discrimination.

"Racism is as American as baseball and apple pie," said Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine. "Will one concert end it? Not likely. But shining a light on racism is an opening to dialogue."

"Shine A Light" - Nov. 20, 8/7 central, on A&E, History, Lifetime, H2, LMN and FYI.

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