Category Archives: Donations and Offerings

Russell Simmons Donates 100 Percent of Clothing Line Profits to Black Empowerment

Russell Simmons and Kanye West want to change the fashion industry, but have conflicting ways on doing it. Photo Courtesy: unclerush instagram

Russell Simmons and Kanye West want to change the fashion industry, but have conflicting ways on doing it.
Photo Courtesy: unclerush instagram

Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons is putting his money where his mouth is.

Earlier this month the yogi took to Instagram to gripe about minorities not getting a fair shake within the fashion industry. Somewhere Kanye West is rolling his eyes and saying “duh.”

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But instead of storming on an established designer’s runway and claiming to have the best line of all time. Or ranting at a music concert, Russell decided to take all,I mean every last cent he makes with his Arglyeculture line he sells at Macys and donate it to Black empowerment.

“I want to help create space for more black designers to have access to sell their lines in big American department stores,” he writes on Instagram.

In another Instagram post he writes about donating profits to black empowerment designers and education programs. And giving neighborhood antiviolence programs a cut as well.

It wouldn’t hurt to have more faces of color being on the stage, rather than in the audience.

Drake Donates $75,000 to Struggling High School

Drake performing in the studio. Now he's going to give Strawberry Mansion High Schoolers that same opportunity. Photo Courtesy: ChampagnePapi Instagram

Drake performing in the studio. Now he’s going to give Strawberry Mansion High Schoolers that same opportunity.
Photo Courtesy: ChampagnePapi Instagram

Strawberry Mansion High School is getting a PR boost from lovesick rapper Drake. He donated $75,000 to open a recording studio for students at the troubled high school that was ranked one of the worst in the country.

“If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” rapper cashed in (literally) on a promise he made to the teens two years ago. In a surprise appearance to Strawberry Mansion High School, he told the kids,

This is about you. This is about your principal. This is about your future. I love you. I care about you. I want to see you succeed.

Now they can in a newly designed booth–Huffington Post reports finished construction last summer–the Strawberry High principal christened; playing a song from the studio over the PA system.

Let’s hope they go the way of famous Strawberry high alum Meek Mill.

Rapper J. Cole Offers Childhood Home to Single Moms

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J. Cole knows what it’s like to be a homeowner (he did name his third album 2014 Forest Hills Drive after his hometown block in Fayetteville, N.C.) and wants single moms to have the same experience.

But not just any old house,the one he grew up in.

The Roc Nation rapper decided to loan out his home for two years to a deserving single mom that’s fallen on hard times (sadly, there are quite a few families to choose from in this situation.) and are owed the homeowner lifestyle. In a nutshell, live the American dream for 365 x 2, without getting a tab.

“So every two years a new family will come in, they live rent-free,” explains J. Cole in an interview with The Combat Jack Show. “The idea is that it’s a single mother with multiple kids, and she’s coming from a place where all her kids is sharing a room. She might have two, three kids, they’re sharing a room. She gets to come here rent-free. I want her kids to feel how I felt when we got to the house.”

In his latest LP, J. Cole talks about moving into the home as a game changer for his personal development. On his site he says:

“Having my own room allowed me turn into who I am. I enjoy privacy, I enjoy being by myself. That came from having my own room. Having my own room allowed me to shape myself.”

Kudos to the “Crooked Smile” rapper for passing over his house keys. May the new renters have the same lucky he did.

I will keep you posted on the deets for this rapper’s new charitable efforts.

RHOA Kenya Moore Raises $40K for Detroit Schools on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kenya Moore added more coins to the Detroit Public School Systems coffers.

Winning a “Celebrity Apprentice” challenge–to create a marketing campaign for Ivanka Trump’s shoe collection sold through Nordstrom– helped her rake in $40,000 ($20K was for winning the challenge and Donald Trump matched it.)

The Twirl girl has been making it rain since last year for the struggling city’s school system, without a certain Housewife’s help.

For those counting she’s donated $60K to the motor city’s public schools.

Let’s see how much “moore” money she’ll get out of The Don as this season rolls on.

Keshia Knight Pulliam and Vivica Fox Raise Money for Charities Through “Celebrity Apprentice”

Team Infinity

Team Infinity

“Cosby’s” Rudy Huxtable aka Keshia Knight-Pulliam may’ve been the first player to get the axe on “Celebrity Apprentice” but her walking papers included a $25,000 donation–to her Kamp Kizzy Foundation–from the Donald’s own coffers.

Cha-Ching!!!

Hey, if you’re going to go out at least get some coins to show for it.

Keshia Knight Pulliam putting in work for the Pie Face challenge.

Keshia Knight Pulliam putting in work for the Pie Face challenge.

Keshia’s downfall as bosslady came when she didn’t tap into her Bill Cosby resource. These days it would all but certainly warrant an understanding head nod to not reach out to the comedian. But given that the ep taped months before the sexual assault allegations plagued the pudding king, his number should’ve been on speed dial for the fundraising challenge of selling pies.

But it wasn’t.

Find out more about Keshia’s Kamp Kizzy Foundation

Keshia thought it would look tacky to reach out to him for moola when she hadn’t talked to him in years. So, she took the high road that led to a town car outta Trump world. Bye, Rudy.

Fast forward to two episodes, “Independence Day’s” Vivica Fox takes the reins as project leader. The task? Coming up with an ad campaign for frozen food company, Luvo.

Ms. Fox illustrated her acting chops by transforming into a dictator diet coach character with a Hitler mustache during the presentation. Welp, you gotta do what you gotta do for charity.

Hey, however weird and unorthodox,the schtick worked. Ms. Fox raised $50,000 to Best Buddies International; an org that aids people with disabilities and development challenges to be independent.

According to Viv’s “Apprentice” blog she’s worked with the charity for a decade.

Kudos to both philanthropic ladies. Cue Bey’s “Girls (Run the World).”

Other Takeaways from “Celebrity Apprentice“:

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kenya Moore is more lethal in the boardroom than in a housewife reunion show. She baited Trump (not with the scepter, though) to go after Keshia for not reaching out to Bill Cosby.

You would think Vivica Fox was the athlete ’cause she suuurrreee threw gymnast Shawn Johnson under the bus in the boardroom. Viv called her out for coasting because she got her monthly. Pop a pain pill and move on. Period.

Nick Jonas tried to oust egomaniac Geraldo Rivera, but got the axe himself.

Inappropriately funny Gilbert Gottfried heard two words he’s familiar with: “you’re fired” At least it’s not Boo..

Scoreboard:

Women: 2 Men: 1

Let the battle of the sexes rage on…

Kevin Hart, Kylie Jenner, RHOA Kandi Burruss and VH1 Black Ink Crew Cast Spread Holiday Cheer

kevinhartchrispaul

For those lacking the holiday spirit theme of spreading goodwill,you might want to follow the lead of these generous celebs.

Funnyman Kevin Hart took time off his many jobs (in my Phaedra Parks voice) to treat 150 lucky LA-based kids with Toyz ‘R Us gift cards worth $100. Hart joined Clippers player Chris Paul that urged kiddos to FIRST buy something for others and then treat themselves. The pay-it-forward lesson also applied to Paul and Hart’s kids that joined in on the giving.

Watch Hart’s Oprah moment here.

Not to be outdone in the generosity department, newbie couple Kylie Jenner and rapper Tyga handed out toys at LA’s Childrens’ Hospital.

Meanwhile, down south, “Real Housewife of Atlanta” Kandi Burruss held a “Warm Hearts” coat and blanket drive. Through her Kandi Kares Foundation, team Burress (including Riley and step-daughter Kaela) collected donated blankets and childrens’ coats to distribute at a local shelter.

Back East, VH1’s “Black Ink Crew” plans to send 100 jail inmates holiday care packages. Given that one member of the tat squad may be facing hard time (O’Shit) it’s not surprising this would be their cause to herald.If you want Black Ink to send a care package to an inmate, here’s what you do: 1. Follow @blackinkmag on Twitter 2. Repost Black Ink Magazine, issue 2, on Facebook 3. Send IG info, inmate info to blackinklove@gmail.com

Happy Turkey Drive!! RHOA Kandi Burruss, Ludacris and Mike Epps’ Thanksgiving Giveaways

KANDICARESludacrisfoundation

Needy families from Atlanta and Detroit have RHOA Kandi Burruss, rapper Ludacris and funnyman Mike Epps to thank for doling out turkeys through their respected charities.

Kandi partnered with Walmart–as well as requested turkey donations from the community–to collect the turkeys and trimmings she used to offer select single-parent homes in ATL, through her Kandi Cares charity. The housewife chanteuse distributed the thanksgiving goodies yesterday alongside daughter Riley.

Not far away, rapper Ludacris kicked off his annual holiday food basket giveaway to 250 families through his Ludacris Foundation.The rapper/actor not only distributed butterballs to the ATL, but also set up a coat and toy driver. Luda set up a one stop shop of generosity to needy Atlantans at the Utopia Academy for the Arts.

eppsieturkeydriveNot to be outdone comedian Mike Epps joined Big Sean in Detroit to take part in the All Star Give back turkey drive held at River Rouge Schools. The giveaway aimed to feed over 1,000 families in the motor city.

Finally, to round out the various acts of kindness that kick off the holiday season, FLOTUS Michelle Obama and “Extra’s” Mario Lopez plan a Thanksgiving surprise to a worthy veteran. The California native army sergeant fell on hard times after his tour of duty finished; became unemployed and lost his Vietnam veteran grandfather to cancer. “Extra” and FLOTUS stepped in to get him back on his feet. Watch “Extra” to see how the surprise plays out.

Kudos to these celebs and everyone for serving up blessings to needy families. Let’s pass that love and generosity around more.