Kirk Franklin will host "Imagine Me," an all-star celebrity benefit concert on Jan. 11 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. The concert will benefit the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) and is being held in conjunction with the 22nd Annual Stellar Awards, which will take place on Jan. 13 at the Grand Ole Opry House. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to come prepared to make a donation to benefit the CDF.

Artists scheduled to perform during the concert include Franklin, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Kelly Price, Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, Chante Moore, Kenny Lattimore, actress KeKe Palmer (star of "Akeelah and The Bee"), actor Tyler James Williams ("Everybody Hates Chris"), Lil' iROCC, Judith Christie-McAllister and the Mt. Zion Judah Generation Choir. Others scheduled to be in attendance include Byron Cage, The Caravans, Darwin Hobbs, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Israel Haughton, Karen Clark-Sheard, Lamar Campbell, Martha Munizzi and Myron Butler. The concert will be taped and is scheduled to be broadcast on the Gospel Music Channel in April.

Franklin also will present the "Kirk Franklin Hero Award" to Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ of Los Angeles. Bishop Blake is being honored with this award for his work in making a difference in the lives of children. In addition to overseeing one of the largest churches in the western United States - with a membership of over 25,000 - Bishop Blake created Save Africa's Children (SAC), an African-American founded organization providing direct support to children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty and war throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

Proceeds raised from the event will directly benefit the Children's Defense Fund, a private, nonprofit organization that for more than 30 years has provided a strong, effective voice for poor and disadvantaged children. decided to partner with the CDF with hopes of bringing attention to the 13 million children, living in poverty in the richest nation on earth and the 9 million children who currently have not health insurance. This collaboration will hopefully help spark service opportunities and contribute to better policy choices on national level, in the states and communities where poor children live.

"I'm honored as the Children Defense Fund's 'Faith Ambassador' to host a benefit honoring an organization whose mission it is to raise awareness and bring much needed help to the millions of poor and disadvantaged children in America today," Franklin said. "I'm so thankful to my peers who are joining me in this endeavor."