Monday, March 12, 2012

Yank Barry Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

  Published Friday, March 9th, 2012

BRADENTON - In a 30-year music career, Yank Barry jammed on stage with Jimi Hendrix, wrote and produced songs for Gary U.S. Bonds and was a member of legendary band The Kingsmen of "Louie, Louie" fame.

The post-music career for the part-time Bradenton resident has been equally spectacular: he co-founded a nonprofit group with Muhammad Ali that has donated more than 500 million meals to relief agencies; and he spearheaded relief missions to disaster and war-torn countries.

Now, the 64-year-old  has been nominated for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work and his role in securing the release of six foreign medical workers sentenced to death in Libya.

Barry said he was nominated by Kiril Gorianov, a Bulgarian national. Gorianov cited Barry for his humanitarian work but also for his efforts to secure the release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor who faced the death penalty after a court found them guilty of spreading the HIV virus after an 1998 outbreak in a Libyan hospital.

Barry met with Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi about half a dozen times over a period of six months in 2006. "I said to him, 'I'm Jewish and I'm here begging for the lives of five Christians and a Palestinian. You've got to do the right thing here,'" Barry said.

 Barry said there were many other international efforts that led to the six being released in 2007.

Speaking from Japan, where he is negotiating with government officials to supply apple pectin to people who may have been exposed to radiation from the nuclear accident at Fukushima, Barry said it was humbling that his relief work has been acknowledged.

"It's a nice feeling to be recognized, but that's not why I'm doing it," he said. "It's become a mission that I believe in."

First awarded in 1901, the Nobel Prize for Peace is widely regarded to be the most prestigious award of its kind.

Born in Montreal, Barry became a touring member of The Kingsmen in 1968. He pioneered the first quadraphonic album in 1970 and then then recorded the rock opera "The Diary of Mr. Gray."
He later moved into songwriting and production, working with numerous artists, including Englebert Humperdinck.

As his music career was scaling down, he met a businessman in South Africa who had developed a dehydrated meat-substitute soy product. Barry bought the product and began selling it to penal systems and governments. The business thrived.

As Barry traveled the world, he saw firsthand how his product could help countries struggling with malnutrition. With boxing great Muhammad Ali, he formed Global Village Champions Foundation. Barry now donates about 60 percent of the profits from his soy company to the nonprofit, using it for donated meals and work with groups like the Salvation Army in the United States and the Red Cross and the United Nations in Africa, Asia, Europe and Central America.

"Ali and I had always talked about feeding kids. We started doing a lot of good; it become pretty addictive," he said. It's a great feeling. I think everyone should do it."

Barry's work has already earned him more than 20 international humanitarian and peace awards including a 1999 Liberian Humanitarian award and the 2010 Gusi Peace Prize. In 2005, he was named as a Red Cross Humanitarian.

Yank Barry and Muhammad Ali featured with Gusi Peace Prize 2011


Join the Greatest Fight, The Fight Against Hunger
Jackie Bigford

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Importance of The Shorty Awards

The Shorty Awards Nominations or "Votes" are about to close for 2012.  The nomination period closes on February 17, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST on Twitter and ShortyAwards.com and culminates in a New York City awards ceremony this spring.


What are the Shorty Awards and why should you care?

The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media, by recognizing the people and organizations producing real-time short form content on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Foursquare, and the rest of the social Web.

Global Village Champions Foundation has been nominated in a "Featured Category" Non-Profits and Activism for #Charity.  

We are very honoured to have received this  nomination.  We have been actively engaging on Social Media Platforms for the past two years sharing our Mission Statement to end world hunger.  In the past 19+ years we have fed over half a billion hungry people in every corner of the globe.  Our team of dedicated volunteers is determined to have delivered One Billion Meals. Our goal it to see "A Day Without Hunger" by December 31st. 2013.   

Listen to this less than 60 second video by Celine Dion - A Global Village Champion



 By simply taking less than 30 seconds to vote you are using your voice in Social Media to make a difference.  If you think that Global Village Champions Foundation is making a difference, help us spread the message.  The Shorty Awards is an amazing opportunity to receive world wide recognition at the presentation ceremony in New York City.  The ceremony is complete with a red carpet, celebrities and media coverage.



Nominate Global Village  for a social media award in the Shorty Awards!Nominate Global Village for a social media award in the Shorty Awards


In the Spirit of  sharing and supporting each other, please also vote for our good friends who are also nominated for a Shorty Award:

Michael Q Todd  #green @mqtodd



A Broader View   #charity  #lifesavinghero #green #activism

Barn Yard Group #charity and #social media 


@MrHolise  #activism 

Thank you for helping us reach our goals. 
Join The Greatest Fight, The Fight Against Hunger 

Jackie Bigford
Social Media Director

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Happy Birthday Yank Barry

Yank Barry, founder and Chairman of Global Village Champions Foundation celebrates a Birthday today!

 For those that do not know who this extraordinary man is I wrote a post about him here: Bio

So much has happened since I wrote his story.  Yank is tireless in his determination to see that no child goes to bed hungry no matter where they are in the world.  Our Foundation does not discriminate because of politics, race or geographical location.

In this past year millions of meals have been fed to people in the USA, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, The Philippines, Poland and Haiti.  Because of Yank's generosity the Foundation has also donated thousands of dollars to agencies that are working in countries that have suffered natural disasters, for example Turkey, Japan and Africa. For a complete list of agencies that we have financially supported: Making a Difference

I simply wanted to thank this special man, and wish him a very Happy Birthday! Your Rock Yank!


Celine Dion - Global Village Champion - Sings Happy Birthday


"Yank has given so much. He’s not only given his money, but his heart and soul. I’m proud of him. Everyone should take him as an example." Celine Dion

Jackie Bigford
Social Media Director
Global Village Champions Foundation

Friday, January 20, 2012

"Breakfast for Everyone" Muhammad Ali at McDonald's Restaurtant

Global Village Champions Foundation founder Yank Barry and good friend Muhammad Ali, traveled to Jakarta Indonesia on one of their many humanitarian missions to feed hungry people in need.

During their stay Muhammad had a craving for a taste of home.  Early one morning around 7 am, Muhammad wanted to go to McDonald's Restaurant.  It was approximately one block from the Hilton Hotel, but as you can probably guess, he cannot go anywhere without attracting a crowd.  The main concern was that he did not have his body guards with him, but he would not be deterred.

Yank, Muhammad and another friend left the hotel and in no time three people turned into seven, and then seven turned into fifteen as the realization hit that Muhammad Ali was out for a stroll. It was a very busy street and one guy jumped out of his car, leaving it in the street and started following Muhammad with the rest of the crowd. By the time they got to McDonald's it was a mob scene!

Muhammad made his way to the counter and ordered an Egg Mcmuffin and coffee and turned to Yank and said "What do you want?" then turned to their other friend and asked him "What do you want?" They both answered "We will have the same!" At this point Muhammad turns to Yank and says "You got alot of money on you?" Yank says sure and  Muhammad shouts out "Breakfast for Everyone" Muhammad treated everyone in the restaurant  including the staff behind the counter.  By this time the restaurant was jammed with over 100 people.

When the bill came it was over $180.00 and Yank was only carrying $130.00. This took place several years ago so there were no debit machines nor ATM's  and they did not take credit cards like they do today.  Yank had to find a kiosk bank to withdraw $50.00 to pay the bill.  Meanwhile  the mob in the restaurant  was overjoyed to be sharing their breakfast with "The Greatest"

Right place, right time! A memory that these lucky folks will never forget!

Muhammad Ali, Yank Barry at McDonald's, Jakarta Indonesia

There is more to the story.   The following afternoon Muhammad wants to go for a walk and again no security with them. Yank and Muhammad and another friend were walking behind the hotel and they had lagged behind Yank  All of a sudden Yank is surrounded by 4 or 5 big guys who came out of nowhere and said to Yank "hey where are you going boy?" Yank can see Muhammad and his friend and Muhammad can see what is happening to Yank.  The would be robbers, were focusing on Yank and didn't see Muhammad Ali. One of them says to Yank, " give us all of your money, give us your watch" Yank calls out ....MUHAMMAD...and Muhammad pretends he doesn't hear him. Nothing happens so  Yank reaches into his pocket because these guys were going to beat him up. As Yank pulled his money out  Muhammad and their friend walk over one of the robbers looks up and goes "Muhammad Ali" Muhammad looks back at the thug and says "this is my friend". Needless to say, Yank kept his wallet and watch!

Yank and Ali have been close friends for decades and have provided over 550 million meals to feed the hungry.  Ali's celebrity has paved the way for Global Village Champions Foundation  to deliver food even in war torn areas.  As you can imagine, not a shot was fired while Yank and Muhammad delivered badly needed food and medical supplies. Where ever they were asked to go to help, especially when children were concerned they went.  
Yank Barry and Muhammad Ali on a private jet delivering food to hungry kids

To learn more about their humanitarian work and their journey it is chronicled on http://www.globalvillagechampions.org.

"Join The Greatest Fight - The Fight Against Hunger"

Jackie Bigford
Social Media Director
Global Village Champions Foundation

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Happy 70th Birthday Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was not only the Greatest Boxer of all time and  the most recognized man on the planet, he is also a great humanitarian.  He traveled the globe for decades as the Official Ambassador to our non-profit foundation "Global Village Champions Foundation". 

Respect, Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, and Spirituality are Muhammad Ali's core values. These six tenets have provided the foundation for a life that has touched millions of people around the World and has earned Ali the title "The Greatest".

 Ali's legacy is much more than just three Heavyweight Championship Belts and an Olympic Gold Medal. As a Global Village Champion Muhammad Ali, along with his close friend Yank Barry, has been instrumental in providing over 555,000,000 meals to the hungry over the past 20 years.  They traveled to areas of the world that were not only some of the poorest, but some of the most dangerous.  Where Mohammad went, so to did the press.  This allowed him to enter into regions that were denied to many and allowed us to deliver the food, water and medical supplies directly to the people in need.

Muhammad Ali, Sister Beltran, Yank Barry - Cote d'Ivoire

"I was told there was a problem here. I'm here to do all I can to help. People are hungry. People need help, and if I can do anything to help then I'm ready. These are my brothers and sisters and we should treat each other like brother and sister." Press Release - Muhammad-Ali-Rceives-Lifetime-Achievement-award-at-his-70th-birthday-party.html

Ali traveled to many inhospitable regions of the World as a Global Village Champion and personally accompanied the shipments of food, medical supplies, clothing, school supplies and hope. This demonstration of selfless humanitarian leadership is a key reason that The Leaders Magazine and the American Leadership Development Association chose to bestow their Lifetime Achievement Award upon Muhammad Ali during the 2011 GLA Awards in Kuala Lumpur this past July. Muhammad was not able to attend the awards ceremony. Lonnie Ali, Muhammad's wife, asked his friend and fellow award recipient Yank Barry to accept the award on his behalf. Mr. Barry presented the award to Ali in the presence of 350 invited guests who had gathered at the Ali Center in Louisville Kentucky to celebrate Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday.




Ali Center Lifetime Member & longtime friend Yank Barry presented Muhammad Ali with the Lifetime Achievement Award given by The Leaders Magazine & The American Leadership Development Association during Ali's 70th Birthday Gala in Louisville, KY






 Mr. Barry received the Philanthropist of the Year award at the same 2011 GLA ceremony on July 22. This was the sixth time in twenty years that Barry and Ali have received awards together. Their humanitarian work has earned them joint recognition in Atlanta GA, Liberia, Indonesia, Morocco, Mexico and Malaysia and their journey is chronicled on http://www.globalvillagechampions.org.

 "He has lived a life of everything and anything. He has been liked and disliked and is now mostly beloved. He is an enigma and a treasure." bill.dwyre@latimes.com

Happy 70th Birthday from the entire team at Global Village Champions Foundation
Join Muhammad in  "The Greatest Fight - The Fight Against Hunger"

Jackie Bigford
Social Media Director
Global Village Champions Foundation

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Shorty Awards - The Academy Awards of Twitter

Hollywood has the Oscars. Broadway has the Tonys. Now Twitter has the... Shorty Awards
The New York Times

What do Conan O'Brien, Cory Booker, Sesame Street's Grover, Suze Orman, Ted Leo, Neil Patrick Harris and NASA have in common? Besides being awesome, they're all Shorty Award winners.

The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media, recognizing the people and organizations producing real-time short form content on across Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Foursquare, and the rest of the social Web. 

Every year, millions of people visit the Shorty Awards site to tweet nominations for their favorite social media content creators. All those tweets culminate in a highly anticipated awards ceremony that celebrates the winners in dozens of featured categories, as well as thousands of crowd-sourced community ones. For the second time, the Shorty Awards will also honor the industry's best agencies, brands, and social media professionals.
 Global Village Champions Foundation and Yank Barry are honoured to be nominated in the #charity category! It is so simple to vote and show your support. Our team is a dedicated group of volunteers who work to see an end to global hunger.  In the past 18+ years we have fed over 550 millions meals to hungry people around the globe.  We do not discriminate - hunger is hunger no matter where you live or the colour of ones skin!

A Special Shout-out to all of the amazing Twitter peeps who have honoured us with your support!

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Just click the link below, add your comments after the because (this is important, as the nomination will not count if you do not add your own original comment) then tweet it out.

If for any reason you are not comfortable signing into the site using your twitter account you can simply construct a tweet and tweet it into your stream: Make sure to add: The Shorty Awards @gogvm and #charity and give a reason!  To make it easier for me to follow all of the nominations please try to fit in the hashtag #ADayWithoutHunger 


Nominate Global Village  for a social media award in the Shorty Awards!Nominate Global Village for a social media award in the Shorty Awards


Join The Greatest Fight, The Fight Against Hunger
Jackie Bigford
Social Media Director

Monday, January 9, 2012

Libya releases 5 Bulgarian Nurses Sentenced to Death - Yank Barry's Role

Libya releases 5 Bulgarian nurses and 1 Palestinian intern sentenced to death after years of negotiations – Yank Barry’s role -Humanitarian and Philanthropist: Founder of Global Village Champions Foundation

As a result of Yank's involvement in this crisis he established  a Global Village Champions Aids Camp for the children who were suffering from the disease.

Libyan government car and driver provided by President Gaddafi to Yank Barry accompanied by Gaddafi liaison Zoher Bettamer
— in Libya.



Mohamed Bakri signing the lease on the Global Village Champions Camp for the aids children.
— in Libya.
Yank Barry and Yousef Mansour are invited to dine with a Gaddafi family member, Gaddafi liaison Zoher Bettamer, and a senior Libyan Security official.
— in Libya.
Libyan Security official, Yousef Mansour, Dr.Ali Gaddaye Adoukhaur (Secretary General, Community of Sahel-Saharan States Cen-Sad), Yank Barry, Gaddafi Liaison Zoher Bettamer
— in Libya.
Yank Barry meets with Sulaiman al-Ghemari, Libyan Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice at which time Mr. Barry signs the lease on a Libyan farm for six months for a camp for the aids children.
— in Libya.
Yousef Mansour & Yank Barry standing in front of the chart of Cen Sad member nations. June 24, 2006
Yousef Mansour, Dr.Ali Gaddaye Adoukhaur (Secretary General, Community of Sahel-Saharan States Cen-Sad), Yank Barry and Gaddafi Liaison Zoher Bettamer
— in Libya.
Libyan security officer, Zoher Bettamer (Gaddafi liaison), Dr.Ibrahim Achmed Al-Sharef (coordinator, Doctors Without Borders, Tripoli Libya), Yank Barry, Yousef Mansour, Mohamed Bakri (Civil Rights Attorney)
— in Libya.

Join the Greatest Fight - The Fight Against Hunger
Jackie Bigford
Social Media Director