Akon Launches “Akon Lighting America” in Effort to Assist the United States in Becoming a Leader in the Global Sustainable Development Goals

NEW YORK– Philanthropist, business mogul and five-time Grammy nominated artist Akon has initiated a partnership to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030 and assisting participating US states to meet their renewable energy goals. As one of the leading recognized global music brands, Akon has chosen, in the past to address the immediate needs of Africans through an effort known as “Akon Lighting Africa.” This initiative addressed the concern that more than two-thirds of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is without electricity, and that more than 85 percent of those living in rural areas lack access. Now, the Akon Corp., in partnership with Reach Construction Group, LLC, is launching Akon Lighting America and has assembled a dynamic group of strategic partners in order to create replicable, scalable and cost-effective utility scale energy solutions and renewable energy solutions for low income housing communities.

As of January 2019, Akon Lighting America will begin developing utility scale renewable energy projects throughout the United States and constructing renewable energy solutions for rural and low income housing communities. “We are extremely proud to launch Akon Lighting America which will enable us to serve and benefit our country – The United States of America – just like we have done in Africa with our ongoing initiative, Akon Lighting Africa. We are pleased by the overwhelmingly positive response of leaders to embrace a public-private partnership that aims to address the SDGs and help them to reach specific goals by 2030. This initiative, Akon Lighting America, is given further importance and momentum based on the support of institutions such as USC Schwarzenegger Institute, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundations and more,” said Akon.

Akon Lighting America will team with leaders in the United States to assist in making the United States a leader in meeting the SDG. A comprehensive study by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows that the U.S. can generate most of its electricity from renewable energy by 2050.

Brandon Martin, CEO of Akon Lighting America, said, “I am excited about the opportunity to team with a business mogul and like-minded individual such as Akon regarding sustainability goals and our impact on global climate change. Not often do you find someone in the entertainment industry using their platform to promote global awareness to such an important issue as climate change. Hopefully this is the beginning of many entertainers to join in our efforts to build a better planet for our children and their children. There is great opportunity in the United States to reduce carbon emissions and work toward a goal where the total generation capacity available from renewables will overtake that of fossil fuels. Akon Lighting America is excited to help effort this challenge.”

Melodie Carli, President of Akon lighting America, stated, “This initiative gives a unique opportunity to bring partners across the spectrum to address the most important needs to America’s image and taking the lead for its development. All of us can play a role in promoting the SDGs throughout the continent. Without renewable energy solutions, we put ourselves in danger every single day. Renewable energy provides substantial benefits for our climate, our health, and our economy. It dramatically reduces global warming emissions, improves public health, and provides jobs and other economic benefits. And since most renewables don’t require water for cooling, they dramatically reduce the water requirements for power production compared to fossil-fueled power plants.”

To date, Akon Lighting America has met with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and the Mayor of San Diego at the Latest Talanoa discussion to join together in changing the future of our country and its participation in controlling pollution and reducing our total carbon emissions.

To learn more about the “Akon Lighting America” initiative please visit www.akonlightingamerica.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Melodie Carli info@akonlightingamerica.com (646) 789-6760