Rihanna has announced through her nonprofit organization, Clara Lionel Foundation, that she’s donating $5 million to CONVID-19 relief efforts. The philanthropic foundation set up by the singer in 2012 and named after her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, has been a force since its inception in terms of funding education and emergency preparedness and response programs around the world and it’s no surprise the organization is stepping in during the global coronavirus pandemic.
According to the organization’s website, the money is a way to partner with organizations such as Direct Relief, Feeding America, Partners in Health, The World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the International Rescue Committee, and others. to immediately respond to the global epidemic. For example, the funds will support local food banks serving at-risk communities and the elderly in the US.
‘It will also help to provide healthcare services in vulnerable countries like Haiti and Malawi,’ as well as the provision of ‘protective equipment for healthcare workers and the mobilization of resources and additional capacity and support for Native communities.’
Having also known for her extraordinary philanthropic commitments across the globe, RiRi was honored with the coveted President’s Award during the 2020 NAACP Image Awards in February. In her speech, the beloved singer reminded the world how important it is to be united and work together so that the world will be a better place. In her words, “Imagine what we could do together.”
“Tonight is not really about me, because the purpose is bigger than me, right?” she said. “It’s not bigger than us together, but it’s bigger than me, because my part is a very small part of the work that is being done in this world and the work that is yet to be done.”
“I’m lucky I was able to start the Clara Lionel Foundation in 2012,” she continued, referring to her nonprofit organization.
“If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that we can fix this world together. We can’t do it divided. I can’t emphasize that enough. We can’t let the desensitivity seep in — the ‘If it’s your problem, it’s not mine.’ ‘It’s a woman’s problem.’ ‘It’s a black people problem.’ ‘It’s a poor people problem.’ How many of us in this room have colleagues and partners and friends from other races, sexes, religions? Show of hands? Well then, they want to break bread with you, right? They like you? Well then, this is their problem, too. So when we’re marching and protesting and posting about the Michael Brown, Jr.s and the Atatiana Jeffersons of the world, tell your friends to pull up.”
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