Copyright ieyenews
IBJ News November 3, 2025 On November 10, a message about the world’s most vulnerable children will flash across one ofTimes Square’s towering digital billboards. It’s the latest milestone for a Nashville-based organization that has quietly built what may be one of the most widely recognized advocacy days globally recognized. The Stars Foundation, led by founder Cheryl Robeson Piggott, launched World Orphans Day in 2009. What started as a focused effort to raise awareness has expanded to recognition in over 100 countries. The day is observed annually on the second Monday of November, coordinating public awareness campaigns and charitable partnerships for orphaned and at-risk children worldwide. The numbers tell part of the story: since its founding, the organization has helped distribute more than $114 million in goods-in-kind, supporting medical, nutritional, and educational programs. But the geographic and political reach may be more remarkable. Building Bridges Across Continents In 2016, AMICAALL—representing over 6,000 mayors and municipal leaders across 13 African countries—formally recognized World Orphans Day. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda attended that proclamation ceremony. Lord David Alton, Life Peer of UK Parliament, joined UN World Orphans Day PromotionCommittee as Key Note Speaker The African First Ladies Peace Mission, led by Secretary General Jewel Howard Taylor, has since become a working partner, connecting the foundation with 38 first ladies across the continent. Former Malawi President Peter Mutharika and First Lady Gertrude Mutharika served as Global Patrons, as did His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie in the initiative’s early years. The foundation held a summit in Nashville in 2019 with the Deputy Prime Minister of Eswatini and his wife, hosting events at the Omni Hotel and a proclamation ceremony at country music star Kix Brooks’s Arrington Vineyards. The King of Eswatini, His Majesty King Mswati III, acknowledged his support for the day on Eswatini national television. Last year, First Lady Monica Chakwera of Malawi participated in foundation-organized advocacy events and Summit. Former US Ambassador to the UN, Mark Siljander, served as Moderator. From Basketball Courts to Boardrooms Piggott, a UNC Greensboro graduate with a background in early childhood education, hasaccumulated a distinctive list of credentials: Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam appointed her as an Ambassador of Goodwill for the state. She serves as Co-Chair of the African Coalition USA and received a Humanitarian Award from Japan’s Chairman Motoi Tauchi of the UN World Orphans Day Promotion Committee. She’s also been named to Who’s Who in America. Currently, as an Honoree of She Leads Tennessee, Piggott expands global impact with Christian women utilizing The Stars Foundation’s media support. The foundation’s early Honorary Chairs included NBA players David Thompson, Bobby Jones, and Bart Kofoed. As golf became a platform for growth, Vince Gill, NFL Coach Sam Wyche and NFL player Boomer Esaison, as well as NASCAR’s Geoff Bodine and John Andretti joined in supporting The Stars Foundation. Media partnerships with NRB TV and other outlets have helped amplify the message to the foundation’s target audience of high-net-worth philanthropists and donors focused on children’s welfare. Dolly Parton has been a generous supporter to the World Orphans Day events. The Times Square billboard represents both a homecoming to American visibility and arecognition gap the foundation hopes to close. While World Orphans Day observances have earned presidential and royal recognition internationally, a U.S. presidential proclamation remains a future goal. For now, the foundation continues connecting entertainment industry leaders, businessexecutives, faith communities, and government officials around a single question: what happens to the world’s most vulnerable children when no one is paying attention? In response, an ensemble of Voices of The Voiceless including government leaders, recording artists including numerous “The Voice”winners, producers, and actors have joined Ms. Piggott in rallying for support for the most vulnerable. Most notably, her husband Roger J. Piggott, an international television producer, brings his skillset to harness international media. The united efforts have a bright future for bringing change to the world’s children. NOTE: The above was sent to us, including images for publication by The Stars Foundation. First published in International Business Journal and New York Telegraph
