LL Cool J, Roger Daltrey to receive humanitarian honors

LL Cool J and Roger Daltrey will be honored at this year’s We Are Family Foundation Gala at Hammerstein Ballroom on April 27.

The Bay Shore-born rapper and actor will receive the humanitarian award from the group founded by Chic’s Nile Rodgers to promote cultural diversity.

The Who’s Daltrey will receive the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award. Both LL Cool J and Daltrey are expected to perform at the gala, as is Rodgers.

“Not only are both Roger and LL Cool J Kennedy Center and Grammy awardees, they’ve dedicated much of their lives to organizations that benefit people overall, and youth specifically, which perfectly aligns them with We Are Family Foundation’s mission and goals,” Rodgers said in a statement. “These two incredibly talented individuals are selflessly dedicated to helping others. We are immensely grateful to them for their efforts to improve the state of humanity and welcome them into our WAFF family.”

LL Cool J follows in the footsteps of past WAFF humanitarian honorees Bono, Sting & Trudie Styler, Steven Van Zandt, Peter Gabriel and Elton John. “Hanging with Nile is always a good time,” LL Cool J said in a statement. “Truly a chic affair, where we party like we are family and dance, dance, dance for a great cause. I am honored to be recognized by Nile and the We Are Family Foundation and help support the important work they do for our youth.”

Daltrey said he was delighted to receive the award, which has previously gone to former President Jimmy Carter, South African President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou, Deepak Chopra, Paul Simon and Quincy Jones.

“As one of the founders of Teen Cancer America, I am proud to be honored by the We Are Family Foundation, who also recognizes the specific needs of our adolescents and young adults and understands how vital it is that we support them as they strive to positively change the world,” Daltrey said in a statement.