Andra Day is being recognized for something that goes far beyond her Grammy-winning voice. The singer, actress, and activist will receive the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award at WhyHunger’s annual Chapin Awards Gala on May 6, 2026. The event will be held at Cipriani 25 in New York City and brings together artists, activists, and philanthropists who share a common belief: that music and purpose belong together.
The honor reflects a career defined not just by artistic excellence, but by a consistent, deliberate choice to use that artistry in service of something bigger. For Day, the two have never been separate — and this award makes that connection official.
What the WhyHunger Chapin Awards Gala Represents
WhyHunger’s Chapin Awards Gala is one of the most respected humanitarian events in the music world. Each year, it recognizes artists and public figures who have used their platform to advocate for a more just and compassionate world. The evening features a cocktail reception, dinner, and live music, with all proceeds benefiting the organization’s mission to end hunger and address its root causes.
The list of previous honorees reads like a who’s who of artists with conscience — including Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger, Jon Batiste, Jackson Browne, and Tom Morello, among many others. Being named to that list places Andra Day in extraordinary company and underscores just how seriously the humanitarian community regards her contributions. The gala itself follows a milestone year for WhyHunger, which in 2025 celebrated 50 years of impact and raised $1.4 million during its 40th annual Hungerthon fundraiser.
Andra Day’s Music Career and the Rise of an Anthem
To understand why this honor makes sense, it helps to look at how Day’s music has always carried weight beyond entertainment. Her debut album Cheers to the Fall, released in 2015, introduced her to a global audience through its quadruple-platinum single “Rise Up.” The project reached the Top 10 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts and earned her multiple Grammy nominations, a Grammy win, and an Academy Award nomination for the song “Stand Up for Something” from the 2017 film Marshall.
“Rise Up” in particular took on a life of its own almost immediately. What started as a deeply personal song became an anthem for resilience, solidarity, and resistance — heard at rallies, memorials, and movements around the world. Day has spoken openly about how humbling that transformation has been. “‘Rise Up’ began as a personal reminder to keep going when the world feels heavy, and I never imagined it would become an anthem for resilience and justice,” she shared.
Andra Day’s Activism and Commitment to Racial Justice
Day’s advocacy is not incidental to her career — it is woven into its very fabric. One of the most defining moments came in 2016, when she performed “Rise Up” at the Democratic National Convention following powerful remarks from the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Sandra Bland, who spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice. The performance cemented the song’s place as an unofficial anthem of the movement and marked Day as an artist who shows up when it matters most.
That commitment to racial justice has remained consistent ever since. Day has been vocal about social and racial equity causes, championing the rights of women and girls, supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and advocating for reform within the juvenile justice system. Her willingness to lend her platform to causes that are often overlooked or underfunded speaks to a seriousness of purpose that sets her apart from many of her peers.
Using Music to Fight Hunger and Fund Change
Day’s connection to WhyHunger specifically is also well established. During the 2020 PlayOn televised benefit concert, she participated in efforts that raised more than $7 million for WhyHunger and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund — a remarkable achievement that demonstrated the real-world impact her platform can generate. That kind of contribution is precisely what the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award was created to recognize.
For Day, the link between hunger and justice is not a stretch — it is obvious. “To me, justice isn’t abstract — it means no one goes hungry, every child has nourishment, and every community has hope,” she said. “If this song has helped even one person have more compassion or be healed, I’m grateful.” That clarity of purpose is exactly what makes her such a natural fit for this recognition.
A Legacy of Global Advocacy That Continues to Grow
Beyond hunger and racial justice, Day’s humanitarian reach extends in multiple directions. She performed at the Global Citizen Festival in 2017, an international event focused on ending extreme poverty, and was recognized that same year by America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest network dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people. She also contributed to We Will Rise, a documentary shining a light on girls around the world who have overcome extraordinary barriers to access education.
WhyHunger Executive Director Jenique Jones summed up what this recognition means for the organization. “We could not be more excited to honor Andra Day at the upcoming Annual Chapin Awards Gala and celebrate her commitment to using her platform to advocate for social justice, racial equity, women’s rights and so much more,” Jones said. “The event will be an unforgettable celebration of the resilience of community, the perseverance of changemakers, and the unique power of music to sustain us as we chart a path towards our shared vision of a just, hunger free world for all.”
Over the past five years, WhyHunger has connected more than 6.6 million people with food resources and invested $9.6 million in community-led solutions across 24 countries. Honoring Andra Day at this stage of that journey feels both timely and deeply appropriate — a recognition of an artist who has consistently proven that music and humanity are, at their best, one and the same.
