NILE ROGERS: GROOVING TOWARDS A GREENER FUTURE
Nile Rodgers has spent decades making us dance, but he’s always had more than music on his mind. From his signature disco grooves to his work behind the scenes with artists like David Bowie and Madonna, Rodgers has been shaping pop culture for generations. But before the platinum records and sold-out tours, there was a side of him that might surprise you.
Long before Chic became a household name, Rodgers was a young community organiser with the Black Panther Party in Harlem. It was the late 1960s, and Rodgers threw himself into grassroots activism, working on initiatives like the Breakfast for Children programme. The aim was simple but powerful: provide free, healthy meals to kids before school. What started as a local effort grew into a national model, eventually adopted by public schools across the United States. Looking back, Rodgers credits that time with teaching him the importance of practical action. “We weren’t just shouting about change,” he said. “We were making it happen.”
That ethos has followed him through life, shaping how he approaches everything—including his environmental advocacy today. Rodgers has long understood that meaningful change comes not from words, but from action. It’s a mindset that feels especially relevant as he takes the stage at Act 1.5l, part of a wider effort to reimagine the music industry’s relationship with the planet.
In 2019, Rodgers brought his activist mindset to the We Are Family Foundation’s Just Peace Summit. From offsetting carbon emissions to introducing composting at the event, Rodgers ensured that sustainability wasn’t just an afterthought. “Talk is easy,” he reflected. “It’s what we do that matters.”
Fast forward to 2023, and Rodgers was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with youth activists at COP28. As part of EARTHDAY.ORG’s #Education4Earth campaign, he made the case for why climate education is essential—not just for the planet, but for the economy and the next generation’s future. “If we want them to fix this mess,” he said, “we need to give them the tools to do it.”
By 2024, Rodgers was partnering with Sir Richard Branson through Virgin Unite, championing young leaders and their efforts to tackle climate change. His role? Helping to amplify their voices and connect them with resources to make their ideas a reality. “The future’s not coming—it’s already here,” Rodgers said. “We need to make sure it’s in good hands.”
Rodgers’ involvement in Act 1.5 reflects his lifelong commitment to community-driven change. The concert series isn’t just about music—it’s about showing what’s possible when sustainability and creativity come together. With Massive Attack and Idles also taking the stage, the event demonstrates how live music can inspire audiences while embracing a forward-thinking approach to the climate crisis.
Rodgers’ journey—from Harlem’s activist circles to global stages—reveals a consistent thread: his belief in collective action. Whether feeding kids or fighting for the planet, his activism is rooted in a simple idea: change starts with community.
Nile Rodgers might not be leading marches or chaining himself to trees, but his impact is undeniable. He’s used his platform to empower others, bridging the gap between creativity and action. And, as ever, he makes it look effortless. Because if anyone can make saving the world look cool, it’s Nile.
Get tickets for ACT 1.5 Presents Nile Rodgers & CHIC at M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on 30 November 2024 by visiting Ticket Quarter.
