NEW YORK, NY — In a powerful fusion of harmony and humanity, Pay It Forward 9/11 and Pitch Perfect  vocal  producer Deke Sharon are proud to announce a global partnership to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. This year, the organizations will launch a worldwide call to action, engaging hundreds of a cappella groups to perform Zak Abel’s hit anthem, “Be Kind,” as the cornerstone of the annual "11 Days of Kindness" initiative (September 1st—11th). Groups will also be encouraged to perform random acts of kindness for strangers to inspire common human decency and unity.

Through a special agreement, Sony Music and the song’s writer

Zak Abel and Sony Music have generously donated the performance rights to “Be Kind” for this campaign. The song was streamed an estimated 58 million times and his music video was viewed 2.5 million times. This contribution allows student, amateur, and professional vocal groups across the globe to record and share their renditions of the beautiful kindness song without licensing hurdles, creating a digital wave of compassion leading up to the September 11, 2026 anniversary.

A Global Harmony for Remembrance

Since 2002, Pay It Forward 9/11 has inspired people to perform "ripple effect" acts of kindness to honor those lost and the heroes who responded. For the 25th anniversary, the partnership with Total Vocal—a leader in the global contemporary a cappella community—scales this mission through the universal language of music.

 * The Global Anthem: Groups from every continent are invited to record "Be Kind."

 * The 11-Day Kindness Nudge: Starting September 1, social media will be flooded with these vocal performances, encouraging viewers to perform their own acts of service.

 * The Composite Video: On September 1, 2026, a "mega-mix" music video featuring hundreds of voices joined in a single, virtual choir will be released globally to kick off the month of remembrance.

Voices of Leadership

 "Music has a unique ability to heal and unite where words often fail," said Kevin Tuerff, Founder of Pay It Forward 9/11. "By partnering with Total Vocal and Sony Music, we are turning a day of profound loss into a global symphony of kindness. Twenty-five years later, our message remains clear: we remember by doing good."

"The a cappella community is a family built around  listening and blending together," added Deke Sharon, best known for his work on the Pitch Perfect films and NBC’s “Sing Off”. "To have hundreds of groups singing Zak Abel’s ‘Be Kind’ creates a massive, resonant reminder of our shared humanity. We are honored to raise our voices together for this tribute."

How to Participate

A cappella groups interested in joining the movement can download the official arrangement and submission guidelines at payitforward911.org/bekind. Participation is free, and groups are encouraged to share their individual videos using the hashtags #BeKind911 and #11DaysOfKindness.

About Zak Abel

Zak Abel is an English singer, songwriter and musician. He’s known for blending soulful pop, country and electronic music and his collaborations with Gordon City, Kygo and Palomoa Faith; he also manages hearing loss (otosclerosis) while creating music, with hits like “Be Kind” and “Unmissable.” On June 6, Zak Abel released a poignant duet titled “Brother to Me” with British singer-songwriter Rhys Lewis. The song delves into themes of mental health and male vulnerability.. 

About Pay It Forward 9/11

Pay It Forward 9/11, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the spirit of unity alive by challenging people to perform three random acts of kindness for strangers each year in observance of the 9/11 anniversary. The charity was formed on the first anniversary of 9/11 in 2002 and has grown to have participants in all 50 US states and more than a dozen countries.

About Deke Sharon

Deke Sharon is a global music producer dedicated to the celebration and advancement of contemporary a cappella. They produce world-class events, arrangements, and digital content that bring vocalists together from across the globe.

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