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New York—In a last-minute burst of inspiration, former President Bill Clinton took the stage last night at the VH1 Save the Music 10th Anniversary Gala sporting Simmons Jewelry Co.’s “Green Bracelet.”

Simmons Jewelry Co. co-owner Russell Simmons saw the former president backstage at the event and seized the opportunity to tell him about the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF).

Simmons explained to Clinton that more than $20 of the profit from each Green Bracelet sold goes to the benefit of the DEF, the initiative founded by Simmons with the mission of giving back to Africa. Donations from the sale of the bracelet specifically support educational programs in African countries where diamonds are a natural resource.

According to a statement from Simmons Jewelry Co., Simmons said to Clinton, “I was officially dared by Simmons Jewelry President Scott Rauch to put this bracelet on your wrist before you go onstage. He promised me $25,000 to my charity if you do it.”

After hearing the dare, Clinton reportedly grabbed the bracelet and stepped onstage, where he spoke on national television as an honoree of the evening.

Clinton’s care for global issues shouldn’t come as any surprise. In 2005, he founded the Clinton Global Initiative, which calls itself a non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing together global leaders to examine and implement solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The initiative’s 2007 annual meeting begins today in New York City. Over the course of three days, Clinton, along with current and former heads of state, top business executives, preeminent scholars and representatives of key non-governmental organizations, will concentrate on challenges and opportunities in four areas: education, energy and climate change, global health and poverty alleviation.