8 Celebrities Using Their Fame for Good
In a world filled with celebrity scandals and gossip, it's easy to only view stars as people who just solely care about fame. But, from raising money to advocating positive change and giving back to the community, these eight celebrities are among many using their stardom to spread a little kindness to the world.
See more: Philanthropist & Fashion Expert Sharifa Murdock On Paying It Forward
Ludacris
Chris “Ludacris” Bridges’ father was a firm believer that if you gave a homeless person money, they would only spend it on alcohol. However, when Bridges got older, he flipped that narrative and decided to help homeless people. He dressed up in disguise in various Atlanta neighborhoods and handed out $50 gift cards. His initiative, The Ludacris Foundation, donates clothing and food, plus provides underprivileged people within the Atlanta area with opportunities in leadership and education.
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Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox is a trailblazer even outside the entertainment industry. Cox works hard to amplify minority voices, especially those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community. In her philanthropic pursuits, Cox has raised approximately one million dollars for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.
John Legend
Founder of HUMANLEVEL, John Legend, works to uplift communities impacted by institutional racism. The nonprofit works with local governments to create projects that address the immediate needs at the city and regional levels while advocating for more equitable policies. HUMANLEVEL has a fellowship program partnered with FUSE Crops that’s active in 11 communities, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Houston.
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Beyoncé
Known as one of the most charitable celebrities, Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation has helped thousands of people in need. The foundation has given food, clothes, and clean water to those facing crisis. But, most notably, BeyGOOD has given grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to people and small businesses facing evictions and economic fallout caused by the ongoing pandemic.
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Jennifer Lopez
After facing a medical scare in 2009 involving a bump on the back of her daughter's (Emme) head, Jennifer Lopez and her sister, Lynda, founded the Lopez Family Foundation. The organization is a global nonprofit dedicated to helping improve the health and wellbeing of women and children. In addition, the Lopez Foundation advocates for health policies to make quality healthcare available for those who need it most.
Pharrell Williams
Founder of Black Ambition and One Hand To AnOTHER, Pharrell Williams, works to give Black and Latinx start-up businesses the opportunity to grow and help the youth of various communities have access to education. Black Ambition invests money and resources in smaller minority-owned companies often overlooked for investment opportunities. Then, One Hand to AnOTHER helps children ages 7-20 in underserved communities get the chance at a quality education that helps them achieve their goals.
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Vic Mensa
Vic Mensa is the founder of SaveMoneySaveLife. The charity foundation is dedicated to promoting mental health and environmental justice. The program has two main pillars: StreetMedics and UniVerse. StreetMedics is a program that helps train first responders working in the most dangerous parts of Chicago and helps provide better access to mental health professionals in underprivileged schools. UniVerse is a summer mentorship program that focuses on providing education for BIPOC children.
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J.Cole
Since his debut in 2007, J.Cole has always made sure to be the voice of his community through the Dreamville Foundation. The Dreamville Foundation is dedicated to helping kids in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, stay in school and provide them with supplies annually. The organization aims to show youth their limitless potential to do great things.
