Sing 'Be Kind'
Deke Sharon leads hundreds of A Capella groups across the world
Global A Cappella Movement Launched to Honor 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Through Song & Service
Hit Artist Zak Abel, Pay It Forward 9/11 and A Capella Music Producer Deke Sharon Mobilize Hundreds of Singers for “11 Days of Kindness” Campaign
In a powerful fusion of harmony and humanity, UK hit music artist Zak Abel, Pay It Forward 9/11 and Pitch Perfect 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 have generously donated the performance rights for this campaign. This allows student, amateur, and professional vocal groups across the globe to record and share their renditions of the song without licensing hurdles, creating a digital wave of compassion leading up to the September 11 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.
Making a Global Composite Music 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. "Thanks to Sony Music and UK singer-songwriter Zak Abel, 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 on listening and blending together," added Deke Sharon. "To have hundreds of groups singing Zak Abel’s ‘Be Kind’ creates a massive, resonant reminder of our shared humanity. We are honored to provide the platform for this tribute."
How to Participate
A cappella groups interested in joining the movement can download the official arrangement and submission guidelines provided on the Music Download page after registering participation below. Participation is free, and groups are encouraged to share their individual videos using the hashtags #BeKind911 and #11DaysOfKindness. We are limited to 3,000 copies of the music (total number of performers) so please be accurate with your
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.” In 2025, Zak 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.
About Deke Sharon
Deke Sharon is widely regarded as the "Father of Contemporary A Cappella," a pioneering singer, arranger, and producer who brought modern vocal music to the mainstream.
He is dedicated to the celebration and advancement of contemporary a cappella music. He produces world-class events, arrangements, and digital content that bring vocalists together from across the globe.