Captain Planet Foundation to Honor Ted Turner's Legacy at 35th Anniversary Concert for the Planet & Gala on November 7

Featuring The Wallflowers and Yola, the Atlanta celebration will pay tribute to the late media visionary and environmental pioneer, and recognize leaders advancing sustainability in music, entertainment and hospitality

ATLANTA, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-five years after media visionary and environmental pioneer Ted Turner co-founded Captain Planet Foundation to inspire young people to protect the Earth, the organization will celebrate his extraordinary legacy at its Concert for the Planet & Benefit Gala, Saturday, November 7, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta.

The milestone celebration takes on special significance following Turner's passing earlier this year. Best known as the founder of CNN, Turner was also a pioneering environmental philanthropist who understood the power of media and entertainment to inspire change.

Headlined by Jakob Dylan's The Wallflowers, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their quadruple-platinum album Bringing Down the Horse, and featuring six-time Grammy-nominated artist Yola, the evening will bring together leaders in music, entertainment, business and philanthropy to honor Turner's vision and those carrying it forward. Emmy Award-winning journalist Monica Pearson and Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden will co-emcee.

The gala will introduce the inaugural Ted Turner Legacy Award, recognizing individuals whose leadership reflects Turner's commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation. This year's Honoree is George McKerrow Jr., co-founder and CEO of Ted's Montana Grill, who partnered with Turner to create a restaurant company grounded in sustainable practices and bison conservation.

The Foundation's Superhero for Earth Awards will honor Adam Gardner and Lauren Sullivan, co-founders of REVERB, whose work with artists including Billie Eilish, Dave Matthews Band and Harry Styles has helped transform sustainability practices in live music; and Peter Conlon, Chairman of Live Nation Georgia/US Concerts, for his leadership in advancing environmental responsibility in the venues across the entertainment industry.

"Ted Turner believed in the power of big ideas to change the world, and Captain Planet was one of his most enduring," said Leesa Carter-Jones, President & CEO of Captain Planet Foundation. "As we celebrate 35 years and honor his extraordinary legacy, we're also looking ahead to the work we do producing the next generation of environmental leaders. Ted believed the power was ours. Now it's up to us to use it."

Co-founded in 1991 by Turner and Captain Planet and the Planeteers executive producer Barbara Pyle, Captain Planet Foundation has directly engaged more than 1.75 million children, funded 4,000+ environmental projects and impacted more than 12 million young people worldwide. Its programs include Project Learning Garden, Green Heart STEM Challenge and Planeteer Alliance, all dedicated to empowering young people to become problem-solvers for the planet.

Since 2003, the Foundation's fundraising galas have recognized more than 70 environmental changemakers and raised over $10 million to advance its mission.

Event Details: The Concert for the Planet & Benefit Gala takes place Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Coca-Cola Roxy, 800 Battery Avenue SE, The Battery Atlanta. Concert tickets and gala tables are available.

Sponsors: The Gala's Premier Sponsors include Delta Air Lines and Warner Bros. / Skydance; Guardian Sponsors are The Atlantan/Modern Luxury; Live Nation; Nomadic Expeditions; Park Place; Turner Enterprises, Inc.; Hero Sponsors are Arthur M. Blank Foundation; Doll Avant/Aquagenuity; Better Earth; Tony Conway; Cox Enterprises; Cydor; Drummond; Sabina Ewing; Eunjae Kim and Arturo Peralta-Ramos Charitable Trust; Drummond; Georgia Aquarium; Kiki Goshay; Jane Smith Turner Foundation; Kellogg Garden Products; Ginair & George McKerrow; Dave Moran; One Consulting Group; Randy Rudderman, M.D., FACS; Red Light Management; Savant Wealth Management; Maceo Sloan; Southern Company Gas; Virtuoso; and Voya Financial.

Gala Chair is Pamela Atkins, and Host Committee Co-Chairs are Scott Drake & Brandie Park; and Savannah & John R Seydel.

About Captain Planet Foundation
Captain Planet Foundation is an award-winning, Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to engaging and empowering young people to become problem-solvers for the planet. Founded in 1991 by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle, the Foundation has impacted more than 12 million young people worldwide through environmental education, hands-on STEM learning and youth leadership initiatives.

Contact:
Laura Henson
917-539-7812
[email protected]

SOURCE Captain Planet Foundation