Alicia Keys raises $3 million for charity with Black Ball event

Singer Alicia Keys held her annual Black Ball event, which she uses to help fund her Keep a Child Alive foundation, which helps HIV/AIDS victims in Africa. The event raised $3 million this year. The charity auction raised $401,500.

The auction features tickets to a dinner party with actors Edward Norton and Naomi Watts, which went for $25,000, The Associated Press reports. Lifetime membership to Donald Trump’s golf properties went for $180,000.

Keys, who created the foundation eight years ago, also honored the late Beatles guitarist George Harrison. She said that Harrison was instrumental in helping “people change their view of how to act as humanitarians," according to USA Today. Harrison’s widow, Olivia, accepted the honor on his behalf, saying "How can you say no to Alicia?"

Many other celebrities attended the event, including Queen Latifah, Richie Sambora and Usher, The Los Angeles Times reported. Keys and Gary Clark Jr. performed the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” which was written by Harrison. Nora Jones also attended to perform with Keys. Will.i.am also showed up to perform “I Gotta Feeling.”

Keys was excited by the show’s success, tweeting later, “Forever grateful to everyone who cares about @keepachildalive !!! And every 1 @keepachildalive For EVERY DAY!!Sending love and light!!!"