*They have worked together on “Empire,” and now Taraji P. Henson and Alicia Keys are joining forces off-screen to fight HIV and AIDS.
Henson, Janelle Monae and Laila Ali have signed on as ambassadors for the newly formed power council on Keys’ charity, Keep a Child Alive, launched in 2003 to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
The announcement was made Tuesday to coincide with World AIDS Day.
“AIDS is the No. 1 one cause of death of adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and the second greatest cause of death worldwide. … I’m honored to be supporting Keep a Child Alive in the fight to put an end to this disease,” Henson said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Monae added: “We need to come together and use our voice to help put an end to this epidemic!”
Keys raised $3.8 million last month at her annual Black Ball charity event in New York City. Chris Rock hosted the evening, which featured performances by Lenny Kravitz, Wale and Lion Babe.
Keys appeared as a guest star on “Empire” last week in the role of Skye Summers.
The Fox series, starring Henson and Terrence Howard, will have its winter finale Wednesday.
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