Many well-known black celebrities are using their platforms for good and are effectively impacting the lives of numerous others worldwide. Here is our list of 7 black celebrities that continue to improve the lives of others and give back.
LeBron James
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As one of the most well-known athletes in professional sports these days, 4-time NBA champion LeBron James frequently uses his status to advocate change and give back to his communities. Coming from the West Market Street neighborhood in Akron, Ohio, the current Los Angeles Laker LeBron founded the I Promise School in the area he was raised in to promote social assistance and advance the education of those within that community. Recently, his LeBron James Family Foundation has begun a project called House 330 where they will provide opportunities to local students in hospitality, food service, management, maintenance, finance, and more through training and jobs. The project has received big partners as well such as The J.M. Smucker Company, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and especially JPMorgan Chase which will be opening an office there to assist families with resources and guidance through financial advice.
On top of his own endeavors, LeBron has also been a proud supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of America, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and his own More Than a Vote organization that looks to protect black voter’s rights and raise awareness of the impact that even 1 vote can have on the community, let alone country.
“More Than a Vote is about protecting Black voters and voter suppression.”@KingJames on the importance of creating change. pic.twitter.com/j3KdnNBLAi
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 21, 2020
Tyler Perry
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Tyler Perry is no stranger to using his platform to empower others. The actor/writer/producer’s most noteworthy instance of giving back was in 2009 when he made a $1 million contribution to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; this marked their largest-ever individual contribution. Tyler also frequently champions giving back to his communities in less official ways such as leaving a $21,000 tip for the staff at a restaurant, handing out free HIV tests, or covering $434,000 worth of layaways at 2 different Walmart locations all within his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. He’s also given millions for disaster relief via his The Perry Foundation which seeks to empower economically disadvantaged individuals and support those communities.
Beyoncé
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With such a superstar presence, Beyoncé matches that star power with a truly immense dedication to community efforts and charitable contributions. Perhaps her most well-known endeavor, BeyGood Foundation, looks to make the world a better place through finding jobs for the unemployed, helping the sick, and assisting in disaster relief. Consistently hosting food drives in her hometown of Houston, Texas and across the nation as well, Beyoncé has raised thousands of dollars. A few other notable instances of Bey giving back and empowering others are through Phoenix House, her partnership with Goodwill, her relief efforts in Haiti, and Houston Homeless.
Rihanna
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Another celebrity to lend a hand in pushing back against the damages that COVID-19 has caused globally is Rihanna. The megastar has given $5 million in grants to organizations such as the World Health Organization, the International Rescue Committee, and Direct Relief in an effort to curb the effects that this pandemic has had amongst underprivileged communities. As a world-renowned singer, Rihanna has performed a fair share of charity concerts to raise funds for organizations such as UNICEF, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and even her own Believe Foundation that looks to help terminally ill children. On top of these, she’s also given back $15 million to fight climate change and was recently named a national hero for her birthplace of Barbados.
Oprah Winfrey
I am donating $10 million overall to help Americans during this pandemic in cities across the country and in areas where I grew up. For more on this Fund and how everyone can be of service, watch this free AppleTV+ conversation here: https://t.co/n7L6drnpcV
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) April 2, 2020
Oprah is a clear example of someone who never ceases to give no matter how much she already has. The amount of causes and organizations that she supports is huge and is longer than most people’s shopping lists no less! Some of the organizations and causes that Oprah has supported include The Pajama Program, Feeding America, The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, Rise Against Hunger, and Pathways to College.
The list seriously goes on and on! Recently, Oprah has even begun donating to COVID-19 relief efforts. She made a $10 million contribution to America’s Food Fund as well as gave additional funds to Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano, Texas, and the Boys and Girls Club in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
Queen Latifah
I am so inspired by our #QueenCollective directors who came to visit #TheEqualizer set. Our partnership with @ProcterGamble and @Tribeca has opened doors for Black female creators to share powerful stories, and I am honored to be part of their creative journey. #WidenTheScreen pic.twitter.com/yv5WpiG1m1
— Queen Latifah (@IAMQUEENLATIFAH) December 15, 2021
As a prominent Hollywood mainstay, Queen Latifah is no stranger to giving back. The Equalizer star is a huge supporter of causes such as AIDS, cancer research, relief efforts in places like Haiti, and supporting programs focused on helping women and the LGBTQ+ community. Not only does Queen Latifah champion these organizations but she also founded the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Foundation. Named after her brother who died in a motorcycle accident, it serves as a way to honor him and the impact that he had on his community. The foundation looks to provide financial aid for the education of young people who come from struggling communities. Additionally, Queen Latifah is a founding member of the Queen’s Collective, a group that aims to accelerate gender and racial equality for roles in entertainment that take place behind the camera through mentorship and production support.
Taraji P. Henson
You are NOT alone. Join @tarajiphenson and @Traciejadej as they continue to normalize the conversation around mental health and empower our community to speak up! Season 2 of #PeaceofMind with Taraji premieres October 11, only on Facebook Watch. pic.twitter.com/m1VosICfzL
— Boris L Henson Foundation (@BLHFoundation) October 5, 2021
She might be best known for running a music empire as Cookie Lyon on the TV series Empire, but Taraji P. Henson is also uplifting others through her charity work. In 2018, she founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation who’s mission looks to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health issues specifically within the African American community. Founded in honor of Taraji’s father, a Vietnam War veteran who struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder, the foundation looks to address a variety of avenues within the issue rather than a single 1 through their 3-tiered system. The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation seeks to get more African American psychiatrists into urban schools, reduce the recidivism rate in the prison system, and give out scholarships to encourage young kids into becoming therapists. Overall, Taraji’s goal is just to ensure that more black people are able to feel comfortable when they seek help for mental illnesses and that those who are able to help reflect those seeking therapy.
