Teen's 'Super Sweet 16' Party Raises Awareness of Darfur Crisis, Named 'Darfur Hero'

Teen's 'Super Sweet 16' Party Raises Awareness of Darfur Crisis, Named 'Darfur Hero'

Christy Anderson, daughter of DJ Spinderella, requests donations to Save Darfur instead of birthday gifts

WASHINGTON – The Save Darfur Coalition today honored Christy Anderson for her efforts to raise awareness about the Darfur genocide. Anderson, daughter of Salt-N-Pepa's DJ Spinderella and former NBA player and basketball legend Kenny Anderson, requested that Save Darfur representatives distribute educational materials at her recent birthday party documented on MTV's "My Super Sweet 16". She also invited guests to contribute to the Save Darfur Coalition in lieu of giving gifts.

A video clip of Anderson accepting the honor on her episode of "My Super Sweet 16" can be viewed here: http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/319918/lets-talk-about-charity.jhtml#id=1599717.

The Heroes program, started last year by the coalition, highlights individuals and groups who play a crucial role in helping end the violence in Darfur through awareness-raising and other efforts. Coalition officials said Anderson's selfless act includes her in the ranks of many others who work tireless to end the Darfur crisis. For her part, Anderson said she wanted to give something back.

"When I knew for certain that I was to be joining the ranks of the many extravagant ‘MTV Super Sweet 16' parties, I knew I wanted to be different," wrote Anderson on the coalition's blog, www.blogfordarfur.org. "I somehow wanted to challenge all the other super sixteen-ers and do something that had never been done before. I wanted to give back."

The full text of Anderson's blog entry can be found here: http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/12/01/darfur-hero-raises-money-and-awareness-for-save-darfur-on-mtvs-my-super-sweet-16/#more-160.

"For some people, their sweet sixteen birthday is a day full of excess and opulence," said Save Darfur Coalition spokesperson Ashley Roberts. "On a day when Christy was meant to celebrate an important landmark, she made it not about herself but about people halfway around the world - people she's never met."

The Los Angeles 80s themed roller skating and skate park party included pro skaters and live performances by musical artists, including her mother DJ Spinderella of Salt-N-Pepa. Salt-N-Pepa won numerous music awards in the 1980s and 90s, including five Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and three MTV Video Music Awards. The group is currently gearing up for their tours in Australia and Asia. Spinderella presently co-hosts the syndicated Superadio show "The Back Spin," which airs in eight markets across the country. The show features old school hits that highlight more than 30 years of soul, R&B and hip hop music. Most recently, Spinderella covered the afternoon drive position alongside DJ A-One on Los Angeles radio station KKBT 100.3.

In addition to Save Darfur, Anderson also raised awareness for the Red Campaign (www.joinred.com) and Children Uniting Nations (www.childrenunitingnations.org).

MTV's ‘My Super Sweet 16' takes viewers on a wild ride behind the scenes for all the drama, surprises and over-the-top fun as teens prepare for their most important coming-of-age celebrations.

Darfur Heroes will feature one outstanding activist's story each month - through a blog featured on Save Darfur's website - not just to recognize those individuals who have helped build the movement, but also to inspire others with unique fundraising and awareness-raising tactics. Previous Darfur Heroes have included "Big Kenny" Alphin of the country music duo Big & Rich, Lindsey Ronald - creator of Run for Darfur, and Miriam and Jacob Hodesh - who deleted their wedding registry and instead asked friends and family to make donations to help end the genocide in Darfur, among others.

The full text of Anderson's blog entry can be found here: http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/12/01/darfur-hero-raises-money-and-awareness-for-save-darfur-on-mtvs-my-super-sweet-16/#more-160.

###

About the coalition: The Save Darfur Coalition - an alliance of more than 180 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations - raises public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and mobilizes a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of people throughout the Darfur region. The coalition's member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Darfur. For more information on the coalition, please visit www.SaveDarfur.org. To obtain footage from the Darfur border region, coalition events, various interviews, and more, please visit the Save Darfur Coalition media gallery at http://media.savedarfur.org. All footage may be previewed in non-broadcast quality and may be purchased in broadcast quality by filling out the purchase request form provided on the site.

About MTV: MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music, creativity and youth culture. For over 26 years, MTV has evolved, challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries-giving each new generation a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every platform and screen. On-air, MTV has been the number one rated 24 hour ad-supported cable network P12-24 for 16 straight years. Online, MTV.com scored double-digit growth in 2007 and MTV launched 15 dynamic online communities and eight new virtual worlds. On the go, MTV Mobile is the #1 music brand in the wireless space - delivering 90% more streams than in 2006. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Wanna know more? Come on in... http://www.mtvpress.com.