Nile Rodgers has revealed the loss of three close friends in the 9/11 attacks inspired him to found his charity. The tragic events profoundly impacted countless individuals worldwide, leading many to seek meaningful ways to honor their lost loved ones.
The 72-year-old musician runs the We Are Family Foundation and was speaking ahead of a performance at the Soho Sessions in New York when he made the revelation. The foundation has become one of the most impactful music-related charities in recent decades, demonstrating how personal loss can be transformed into positive global change.
“Three of my friends were on the first plane that crashed into the World Trade Center,” he told the crowd. American Airlines Flight 11 was the first aircraft to hit the North Tower that morning, forever changing the lives of countless families and communities.
One of them, he said, was photographer Berry Berenson, the widow of Psycho star Anthony Perkins. Berenson was a respected photographer in her own right, known for her work with major fashion magazines and her artistic portraits of celebrities and cultural figures.
Nile had lived next door to the couple in Greenwich Village. The neighborhood has long been a haven for artists, musicians, and creative professionals, fostering a tight-knit community where neighbors often became close friends and collaborators.
“I wanted to be involved with something that I thought would be effective,” he added. This desire to create meaningful change has driven his philanthropic efforts, focusing on sustainable impact rather than temporary relief measures.
Founded in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the We Are Family Foundation was established by Nile and his longtime partner Nancy Hunt. The organization emerged from a period of national grief and reflection, channeling collective sorrow into constructive action for future generations.
The organization focuses on supporting and mentoring activists under the age of 30. Youth activism has proven increasingly important in addressing global challenges, with young leaders often bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to complex social issues.
Since its inception, the charity has funded over a dozen schools across countries including Mali, Malawi, Nicaragua and Nepal. These educational initiatives represent a commitment to addressing root causes of inequality and providing opportunities for communities that have historically lacked access to quality education.
It is also currently supporting a reforestation project in Ireland aimed at offsetting the carbon footprint of Rodgers’ touring band. This environmental initiative demonstrates the foundation’s evolution to address contemporary challenges like climate change while maintaining its core mission of positive impact.
Nile, best known for co-founding Chic alongside Bernard Edwards, rose to fame in the late 1970s with a series of chart-topping hits such as Le Freak and Good Times. The duo created a distinctive sound that would influence generations of musicians and producers across multiple genres.
After Chic disbanded, he became a prolific producer and songwriter, working with high-profile artists including Madonna, Diana Ross, Daft Punk, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Mick Jagger. His production style has remained remarkably consistent while adapting to changing musical trends and technologies.
Despite his wide-reaching collaborations, Nile admitted he holds a particular affection for the late David Bowie, with whom he worked on the 1983 album Let’s Dance. Their collaboration represented a perfect marriage of Bowie’s artistic vision and Rodgers’ commercial sensibilities.
“David really saved me at a time when the whole industry sort of turned against us. We were making nothing but number one records, one right after the other, and then this whole ‘Disco Sucks’ thing happened,” he said. The anti-disco backlash represented a challenging period for artists associated with the genre, regardless of their musical versatility.
“And because we didn’t exist before disco, we were totally associated with disco.” This association temporarily overshadowed Rodgers’ broader musical talents and contributions to popular music across multiple genres and decades.
Nile’s performance in New York was to an intimate crowd at the Soho Sessions. The venue creates an exclusive atmosphere that allows for meaningful connections between performers and audiences, fostering deeper appreciation for both the music and the causes being supported.
Among the attendees were Elvis Costello, Gina Gershon, Steve Buscemi, Don Lemon, Christopher Meloni and Michelle Buteau. This gathering of entertainment industry figures reflects the widespread respect for Rodgers’ artistic contributions and humanitarian efforts.
The Soho Sessions, founded by Greg Williamson and Nicole Rechter, brings musicians together in a small Lower Manhattan venue to perform and raise awareness for causes close to their hearts. The series represents a unique intersection of artistic expression and social consciousness, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and action.
