Category Archives: Annual Fundraisers

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

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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.

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#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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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

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Fitness guru Jeanette Jenkins

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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

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Teddy Riley came out to support Luda

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A grey-goateed David Banner was in the building

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And the winner of the charity bowling tournament is…

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

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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.

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