New York takes world center-stage next month when the city hosts the inauguration of "Mandela Day." Centered around a massive music headliner concert at New York's Madison Square Garden on Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday, July 18, the event is designed as a call around the world for people to honor Nelson Mandela's inspiration and values, and observe the day annually as a celebration, not as a holiday, but as a day to opt in.

Mr. Mandela has been making an imprint on the world for 67 years since he actively became involved in campaigning for the human rights of every South African and now 'Mandela Day' calls upon each of us to give 67 minutes of our time to helping others, with the idea that each individual has the ability to make an imprint and make the world a better place.

Staged by 46664 with the support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation charitable organizations and backed by world figures including President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, President Zuma, Forest Whitaker, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburne, Quincy Jones and many others, the Mandela Day celebrations will bring together a raft of major music names from the US and Africa to perform under the banner of Mandela Day.

Drawing its numeric title from Mr. Mandela's Robben Island prison number (prisoner 466/incarcerated in 1964), 46664 was founded in 2002 when Mr. Mandela gave over the number under which he served 17 of his 27 years incarceration, to Eurythmics' founder Dave Stewart, to use to call attention to finding solutions to critical social issues such as HIV/AIDS and the social injustices that impact the disease such as poverty, gender inequality and the lack of education.

To date, the 46664 campaign has raised millions of dollars which have been applied to supporting projects in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa where current needs are deemed greatest, particularly in assisting those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Many of 46664's ambassadors will form part of a multi-artist concert bringing together leading US artists with many of Africa's foremost performers for 'Mandela Day,' a celebration for Mr. Mandela's 91st birthday, in a day which will be seen as a meeting in music between the US and Africa in a concert for the world.

Further invited guests will include France's First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy making a rare concert appearance, as well as Italy?s Zucchero, a 46664 ambassador artist who has given support at each of the prior 46664 concerts.

Adding to the star value of the day, Hollywood legends and 46664 supporters Forest Whitaker, Sharon Stone, Susan Sarandon and many others have all committed to attend.

Further artists will be joining the growing line-up and can be expected to be announced in the lead up to the concert.

New York's concert for Mr. Mandela will not only further spread the message of 46664 but aims to have a longer lasting purpose - to mark a day in each year as one of which we collectively reflect on Nelson Mandela's inspiration and guidance and individually strive to make our own contribution.