Category Archives: Annual Fundraisers

Partay with Purpose! Hill Harper and Nate Parker Host Toy Drive Fundraiser

wyd2

Black Hollywood got in the holiday spirit last night for the “Manifest Your Destiny” 9th annual Toy Drive and Fundraiser at W Hollywood hotel.

Birth of a Nation star Nate Parker and Hill Harper arranged the festivities and called on their celeb buds to cross an item off a kid’s wish list.

“Soul Food’s” Vanessa Williams showed off her date for the evening–a Moana doll.

 

Vanessa, likely, put Moana under the tree with all the other donated toys that will go to impoverished kids through Salvation Army Transitional Living Center in LA and the Summer Empowerment Academy (SEA) foundation.

Checks are also appreciated–I mean look at those Kool-Aide smiles–as you can see.

View this post on Instagram

#Repost @werunhollywood ・・・ Actors and philanthropists @hillharper and @origi_nate accepting a check donation from @100blackmen at their "Manifest Your Destiny" 9th Annual Toy Drive & Fundraiser hosted by @lancegross with committee host @karrueche and @yvonneorji The donated toys and funds raised benefit disadvantaged youth, going to the Salvation Army Transitional Living Center in Los Angeles and the Summer Empowerment Academy (SEA) foundation, respectively. Go to werunhollywood.com for all the exclusive photos from this amazing charity event held inside the @whollywoodhotel #WeRunHollywood #HillHarper #NateParker #ManifestYourDestiny #9thAnnualToyDrive #100BlackMen #SummerEmpowermentAcademy #Philanthropy #Humanitarianism #GiveBack #Holiday #CarusoColeman #WHotelHollywood

A post shared by Electric Republic (@electricrepublic) on

 

The 100 Black Men of America non profit presented Nate, Hill, Karrueche and Yvonne Orji with a cool G that will go towards supporting disadvantaged youth.

Richard Lawson and Tina Knowles made it a date night.

 

Insecure and How To Get Away with Murder casts collided for the fundraiser.

 

All I want for Christmas is a Black girl magic crossover. Amirite?

 

 

At Your Service! LL Cool J, Chris Paul Play Waiter at Charity Fundraiser

img_20161025_213222

Imagine LL Cool J giving a rundown on the dinner specials while doing his signature lip lick. And asking what you wanted to order?

This Zane-like fantasy became a reality (in a PG-13 kind of way) when the Doin’ It rapper played waiter at Chris Paul’s Celebrity Server dinner to raise money for his family foundation Sunday.

LL Cool J wasn’t the only celeb to don a waiter jacket. Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix suited up for the LA Clipper’s cause. LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers took orders from host Chris Paul for a change.

Speaking of delegating like a boss. Chris was doing just that during a pre-game server session, on the proper way to pour wine.

 

For what not to do refer to former baller Sam Cassell.

 

ET co-host Kevin Frazier emceed the charity dinner while his colleague Nischelle Turner waited tables.

Attendees also got an added treat when Chris Paul and LL Cool J played an impromptu lip sync battle of Snoop’s Gin & Juice.

The Chris Paul Family Foundation “provides resources that enrich and strengthen healthy development of strong communities.”

VIDEO: Celebs Flock to Alicia Keys’ Keep a Child Alive Black Ball

blackball12

Alicia Keys brought her 12th Annual Keep a Child Alive Black Ball in with a bang last night. With help from a zipped up (I won’t let it die) Lenny Kravitz, Wale, Chris Rock and Lion Babe, who each shared a stage with the “Girl on Fire.” If you suffer from FOMO–Fear of Missing Out–like I do. We’ve got you covered. Below are duet snippets from each performance.

First up, Wale performing Lotus Flower Bomb with Alicia

Lenny Kravitz stole the show with “American Woman” while Alicia tickled the ivories

Lion Babe brought all the feels with their rendition of “Tell Me Something Good”

For those not tearing down the Hammerstein Ballroom stage with Alicia. Those lucky enough to be sitting pretty and enjoying the show were.

Swizz Beatz, of course, revving the crowd up with his DJ skills.

KRS-One and Angie Martinez reunited

amkrsone

Knicks star Carmelo Anthony sans wife Lala but found some friends.

carmelo

Soul singer Maxwell, oh how we wish you hijacked the stage with Lenny and Alicia

maxwell

KCA global ambassador Padma Lakshmi and Formula 1 race car champion Lewis Hamilton

padma

Fitness guru Jeanette Jenkins

akjj

Chris Rock, Clive Davis and hubby say cheese with Alicia.

chris rock

clive davis

swizzalicia

By far the highlight of the night, notwithstanding performances, was when Alicia Keys–sporting a fierce Jean Paul Gaultier blazer, I might add–announced they raised $1 million for KCA, which means more life-sustaining programs for children affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa.

Additionally, this comes on the heels of the R&B goddess running the NYC marathon in honor of KCA. No one deserves a bigger round of applause.

‘Empire’s’ Terrence Howard and Jamie Foxx Support Global Down Syndrome

terrencehowardjamiefoxx

Terrence Howard took a timeout from dueling with Cookie Monster (the Empire version, because  the lovable blue creature  with an insatiable sweet tooth on Sesame Street has no enemies.) to play wingman to Jamie Foxx at the Global Down Syndrome Association’s annual fundraiser in Denver.

Not letting his suave fashion sense go to waste –Terrence came to play with that navy blue suit–he escorted Jamie’s sister, Deondra (who has Down Syndrome) down the catwalk at the Be Beautiful, Be Yourself fashion show. Judging by Deondra’s face she knows how fierce they look together.

terrencehowarddaonesha

Not to be outdone, Denver Nugget Kenneth Faried (gotta love the man bun)  and his little dates werked the runway poses. I hear Ford models calling.

kennethfaried

Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx brought his youngest daughter in on the act. She escorted him down the aisle and brought two friends along.

jamieanddaughter

Yet, it was Terrence Howard who stole the show by bidding $5,000 on the first auction item, a glass of water. Wonder if the other items included free refills. We found some that didn’t. All money raised will go towards people with Down Syndrome

Saint Nick! AGT Host Rocks Times Square for Children’s Hospital

grouppic

Nick the-man-that-never-sleeps Cannon. Seriously, I think his nights are usually spent like this. Well, as always his efforts are for a good cause. In this case, he threw a shindig in Times Square (at Hard Rock Café) with his nearest and dearest–Nelly, the Harlem Globetrotters, the Craig Lewis Band and Alicia Michilli– last night to raise money for St. Mary’s Childrens Hospital.

The City’s oldest and sole pediatric post-acute care hospital has a good friend in Cannon who went on a 48-hour media blitz to promote St. Mary’s.

Rapper Nelly joined in on the fun. Hanging out with some new friends before he hit the stage.

nellyandcutie

The Harlem Globetrotters may have signed their youngest b-baller.

And the night couldn’t end without Nick taking the stage…but thankfully he DIDN’T rap. We’re all grateful for that.

I’m sure all the kiddies felt like they were flying after the concert.

50 Cent, Samuel L. Jackson and Demaris Lewis Pay Tribute to 9/11 Victims

12CharityDay_0684

For one day, actors, rappers and models, turned into stockbrokers. And no it has nothing to do with a “Wolf of Wall Street” sequel. But rather 9/11. Rap legend DMC took his mic to the trading floor (how often does that happen?!) to represent the Felix Organization at the annual BGC Charity Day.

50centcantor

Organized by Cantor Fitzgerald–to commemorate their 658 lost employees on 9/11-to distribute all revenue raised today to their Relief Fund and many other global charities. Among them is rapper 50 Cent’s G-Unity Foundation that give grants to non-profits lending a helping hand to low-income communities. That’s worth working the trading floor for.

samjackson

Samuel L. Jackson got his bid in from London for One For the Boys org that raises money for cancer research. And model Damaris Lewis made the trading floor a runway with her fierce poses, but her best move was supporting the Garden of Dreams Foundation through the BGC Charity Day.

damarislewis

nullGreat way to honor the many lives lost 14 years ago.

UPDATED Ludacris Kicks Off Annual Charity Weekend | Nick Cannon Makes Kids Smile

ludacris

Ludacris’ 10th annual Ludaday weekend–a four day extravaganza benefitting his Ludacris foundation– kicks off today. On the docket tonight is a “red carpet affair” with power couple Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union serving as MCs.

dwaynegabbie

But the “Ludaversal” rapper got the party started early when he invited 1000 kids and their mentors to an Atlanta Braves game last night at Turner field. Hip Hop Gives Back posted a video of Ludacris tossing shirts to the squealing crowd of kids.

Adding to that Ludacris will return to his high school alma mater to preach the value of living healthy.

We’ll post more pics and video of Luda Cares star-studded event raising money for Atlanta youth.

As promised below are snaps of the red carpet affair and bowling competition that pitted Ludacris against Usher

usherludacris

Teddy Riley came out to support Luda

teddyrileyludacris

A grey-goateed David Banner was in the building

davidbanner

And the winner of the charity bowling tournament is…

Nick Cannon Gives Gifts to St. Mary’s Hospital Kids

nickcannonkids

Ludacris isn’t the only one that loves the kids. Nick Cannon paid a visit to St. Mary’s hospital (he’s their celebrity ambassador) to play Santa Claus. Minus the suit and well, it’s September and all. Nonetheless the kids got gifts from Radio Shack. Wonder if it was a going out of business sale… hey, they said they were closing up shop.

Well not better Nick Cannon scooped up some goodies for his fave St. Mary’s kids. Nick even taught them some new moves. Check out the video below.

And made a new friend.

nickcannon

Happy Hatch Day! Jhud Holds Back-to-School Drive

jhudjulia

Jennifer Hudson may be flaunting major face with her new ‘do, but it’s her love of Chi-Town on display this week.

The Color Purple singer/actress hosted (alongside her sissy Julia Hudson) the fifth annual Hatch Day in rememberance of late nephew Julian King. While the Hudson girls took pics with volunteers and gave out knapsacks filled with school supplies,  JHud’s son entertained the Chi-Town crowd.

How is he not a dancer for Chris Brown right now?

thedavids

Little David took a break from channeling Michael Jackson to pass out school supplies.

Hatch Day–a term Julian used to desire a family celebration–is created to ” “hatch” the dreams of school-aged children” and celebrate Julian’s  birthday (also on the same day of the event) through a back-to-school drive.

The Julian D. King Gift Foundation provided free notebooks, pens and pencils kids, and treated to a bouncy house, girl scout cookies, headphones, and from the looks of the back-to-school bonanza so much more.

Russell Simmons’ Art Foundation Honors Dave Chappelle & Ava DuVernay

Dave-Chappelle-and-Ava-DuVernay-Honored

Art merged with philanthropy at Russell Simmons’ Art for Life Gala in the Hamptons this weekend. The 20th anniversary (yes, count ’em the big 2-0) brought out habitual hermit Dave Chappelle and ‘Selma’ director Ava DuVernay. The odd pair were recognized for their artistic abilities. And helped raise money for Russell Simmons’ RUSH Philanthropic Arts Foundation that finances arts programs in schools and galleries.

Funnyman Chappelle didn’t mince words about art saving his life, and it being used to reveal some deep seated issues (cough…racism… cough) and disturbing societal patterns (cough…police brutality against minorities… cough) still present.

“I went to an arts high school when shit was awful; there was a crack epidemic and AIDS, and all kinds of shit was happening, and the National Guard was policing DC and I found out about this arts program, and it changed my life in ways I couldn’t even imagine.

“And now  look at me today! Here I am with the “Winners Circle” in the Hamptons. And I have a ‘Great Gatsby’ hat on… I can say honestly that I’m happy. I can stay home on Tuesday nights and watch (Keegan Michael) Key and (Jordan) Peele do my show. And it doesn’t hurt me at all. It doesn’t hurt me at all. I’m just joking y’all.”

Jokes aside, he hinted at how art could be instrumental in making a change.

” The biggest enemy of an artist is apathy. A kid gets killed by the police and I buy a T-Shirt and before I can wear that one, there’s another kid (killed) and I’m running out of closet space.”

Hopefully he won’t need anymore.

Marcus Samuelsson and Don Lemon Host Charleston AME Church Fundraiser

marcussamWant to feed both your stomach and conscience today? Stop by Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem. The soul food spot is holding an all day fundraiser to benefit families of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC.

Famed chef Marcus Samuelsson, of Red Rooster Harlem, will be burning pots to make the Southern buffet ($30 minimum donation) lunch and three course dinner ($75 donation required) even more worthwhile.

Reverend Calvin Butts of Abyssinian Baptist Church will team up with Reverend Michael Walrond of First Corinithian Baptist Church to host the fundraiser. And both church choirs will provide gospel music to eat with.

CNN’s Don Lemon is also part of the fundraiser’s host committee.

To buy tickets to the Harlem Helps fundraiser click here

Money raised from the lunch and dinner will go to victims families of the Charleston church shooting.