Supporters and Patrons

International superstar Lionel Richie boasts a discography of albums and singles that is second to none. With more than 125 million albums sold worldwide, an Oscar®, Golden Globe®, and four Grammy Awards®, Richie has been honored with distinctions including 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year, and the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors. In March 2018, Richie cemented his iconic legacy as he imprinted his hand and footprints at Hollywood’s storied TCL Chinese Theatre.

In 2019, Lionel became the Founding Global Ambassador and Chairman of the Global Ambassador Group of The King’s Trust, using his global platform to amplify awareness and visibility of The Trust, but also to support fundraising efforts for young people to continue their education, to secure employment and to build new businesses – in all of the countries in which they work.

In 2022, he was both inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received the 2022 American Music Awards Icon Award, his 18th AMA award. He also received the 2022 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress. Richie debuted and served as producer on the documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. The Greatest Night in Pop quickly became a cultural phenomenon as the most watched music documentary of 2024 with a staggering 1.3 billion minutes viewed. Richie has served as a judge on ABC’s “American Idol” for the past eight seasons and will return for its 9th season. He also served as executive producer on AppleTV+’s “KPOPPED,” which hit #1 in South Korea. Most recently, Richie offered an intimate and candid reflection on his journey through music, fame, and personal transformation in his New York Times bestselling memoir Truly, released on September 30, 2025.

Edward Enninful, OBE is one of the most influential creative voices, celebrated for his visionary storytelling, trailblazing leadership, and lifelong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Born in Ghana and raised in London, he became the youngest-ever fashion editor of i-D magazine at age 18. His innovative eye and fearless creativity quickly gained recognition, leading to a pivotal role at Italian Vogue, where he produced the groundbreaking “Black Issue,” featuring only Black models — a cultural milestone that challenged industry norms and sparked a global conversation. Edward went on to shape the creative direction at American Vogue and W Magazine, before making history as the first Black Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, where he transformed the brand into a modern, inclusive, multi-platform powerhouse.

Now, as Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of a new media and entertainment company, EE72, Edward continues to shape global culture. A passionate advocate for young people, Edward is one of the founding Global Ambassadors of The King’s Trust, particularly interested in our work in Africa and the Caribbean, bringing his lived experience of growing up in London’s Ladbroke Grove, to inspire and empower the next generation.