SHOWTIME today announced a virtual concert dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Equal Justice Initiative, along with a $500,000 donation by the network and ViacomCBS on behalf of its drama series THE CHI. The one-hour special will feature an appearance by Lena Waithe (creator and executive producer of THE CHI) and a headlining performance by Oscar(R) and Grammy(R) Award winner Common (executive producer of THE CHI), along with notable Chicago-based artists and series cast members. The event will transform each artist’s “from home” performance into a unique concert experience. THE CHI WITH LOVE will air on the series’ YouTube page on Sunday, June 21 at 7PM ET/4PM PT, ahead of the drama’s on-air season premiere that evening at 9PM ET.
“In this moment and always, SHOWTIME has a responsibility to support the change our country so sorely needs,” said Michael Engelman, Chief Marketing Officer, Showtime Networks, Inc. “We’re proud to stand with Lena and Common as storytellers and as activists as we present an evening of music, joy and reflection. Inspired by all the artists involved, it’s our hope that THE CHI WITH LOVE will be just one of many catalysts designed to inspire togetherness and action.”
“THE CHI has always been a show about celebrating black life and black love even in the midst of tragedy,” said Waithe. “Now is a time for us to uplift black artists. This virtual concert not only celebrates black music, but it celebrates the beautiful black people of Chicago. This is from us, with love.”
Performers confirmed for THE CHI WITH LOVE include Common, THE CHI star Jacob Latimore and hometown favorites Twista, Ravyn Lenae, Jamila Woods, BJ The Chicago Kid and MFnMelo.
The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. EJI provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. EJI also seeks to change the narrative about race in America and believes that to overcome racial inequality and reform our criminal justice system, we must confront our history. To donate to the Equal Justice Initiative, please go to: https://support.eji.org/give/153413/#!/donation/checkout.
SHOWTIME will also release the season three premiere of THE CHI early for free online sampling, on streaming platforms and on-demand. The premiere episode will be available on Friday, June 19 at 12:01AM ET for free on YouTube and SHO.com.
