Tag Archives: Beyonce

Beyonce and Jay Z Make These Students Dreams Come True

Beyonce and Jay Z weren’t kidding about their promise to upgrade us. The power couple did just that for three high school seniors this past week.

During their OTR II tour stop in Orlando, forever hype man DJ Khalid announced the first three recipients of the BeyGood Initiative and Shawn Carter Foundation’s tour scholarship, which awards $100K to each student to go toward college enrollment.

Congrats to Keshawn Morgan. He’s more than deserving of that $100K bag with # 3 ranking of his class at Evans High School and president of Spanish Honor Society.

A day earlier in Atlanta, Beyonce and Jay Z awarded Karissa Jackson with scholarship for her community service work and 3.8 GPA at Discovery High School. Thanks to the Carters’, Karissa will be joining Kennesaw University’s 2019 class.

She told Gwinnett Daily Post that she was blown away by the scholarship.

“I had no idea I was going to get that. It’s really exciting and I couldn’t stop crying because it’s really a blessing to awarded something like this.”

The next student to go Apeshit over Jay Z and Beyonce’s generosity is Emily Geray from Miami Beach High School.

Emily will take her talents and award money to study criminology at Florida International University.

And the Carters’ are just getting started. They are dropping scholarship money in Arlington, Phoenix, LA, San Diego, New Orleans, Houston, Santa Clara and Seattle. Boys and Girls Club members are nominated for the scholarship award.

If you need another reason to see this tour, black excellence is def one of them.

Beyonce Donates to Young, Gifted and Black at HBCU’s

My edges have officially grown back, so that Beyonce can snatch them right off again come Saturday for Beychella 2.0.

Not only has the Queen of showtime put on the blackest of black performances celebrating…um…Black culture that wasn’t featured on an Apollo stage, Beyonce is donating to the cause.

Our girl is shelling out $100 Gs worth of scholarships at HBCU’s through her BEYGOOD charity initiative.

Xavier, Wilberforce, Tuskegee and Bethune-Cookman (sorry Howard, we know you needed that W) will receive $25K each for Homecoming Scholars Award Program.

Four students from each school can apply. Just like with the merit scholarship she debuted after release of Lemonade, students concentration has to be art based.

Winners will be announced this summer.

May your odds be as favorable as Beyonce’s killing the stage on Saturday. #Blackexcellence

Hold the Lemonade! Beyonce is Hooking up African Nation with Clean Water

545e97f7f1d7a828e225f0b4edf6b193

For a mom of three (two are newborns, mind you) Beyonce sure is busy.

When she’s not acting as silent producer on hubby Jay Z’ 4:44 album, Queen Bey is making it rain on an East African nation. Literally.

Beyonce is teaming up with UNICEF to provide clean drinking water to remote parts of Burundi through her BeyGOOD philanthropy org.

To help half a million people get access to clean water donate

The BEYGOOD4BURUNDI, a multi-year partnership, includes the construction of new wells with hand pumps, hygiene courses and tips on improving the water supply in remote communities.

According to Look to the Stars, rural areas in Burundi, children are more at risk of malnutrition and water born diseases with tainted H20.

Sadly more than 65 percent use unclean water in the remote parts of Burundi and have to travel great distances for the water.

Beyonce is hoping to change that.

“Access to water is a fundamental right. When you give children clean and safe water, you don’t just give them life, you give them health, an education, and a brighter future. I am committed to helping drive lasting solutions to the water crisis in Burundi,” said Beyoncé.

Anyone else having deja vu? The Carters love their water…here’s hoping Flint is next on the list.

Can I get an amen?

Best Week Ever! Beyonce Is Giving Us ‘Lemonade’ Scholarships | Barack Obama Comes Home

245736_60_news_hub_multi_630x0

Barack.Obama.Is.Back. Now if that wasn’t enough to make your week a little better. Hell, it’s Barry, a lot better than nothing else will.

Nope I’m lying. Cause hold up! King Bey is giving us some more ‘Lemonade’ news.

tumblr_llo3upteWS1qkomroo1_500

Beyonce announced Formation college scholarships–in honor of the one-year anniversary of ‘Lemonade’ album release–to young women “who are unafraid to think outside the box and are bold, creative, conscious and confident.”

The Formation scholars are incoming, current or graduate students in the 2017/2018 academic year. They will major in creative arts, music, literature or African-American studies.

These future Nikki Giovanni’s and Lauryn Hills will be roaming the halls of either Berklee College of Music, Howard University, Parsons School of Design or Spelman College–schools that are participants in the Formation scholarship. Check out the schools’ websites for deadline.

Awww, Beyonce. No one loves us like you do.

Now, back to Barack. This is not a drill folks. No drive-by coffee run in Midtown Manhattan. Or a lunch date with Bono. This is Barack’s official comeback to his hometown of Chi-Town.

The official jump off was on Monday when he held a town hall meeting with youth leaders at the University of Chicago  Where he reflected on his presidency.

He had me at:

Check out the full Q&A below.

Barack followed that up with a more formal speech at a Chicago club on Wednesday.

Barack is officially back, guys. And it’ll cost ya $400 G’ s to get him.

44 ain’t cheap, y’all.

Feel Good Friday | Beyonce Grants Sick Fan’s Wish | Colin Kaepernick Donates to Meals on Wheels

Fresher-Than-You-Pick-Up-the-Pieces-Beyonceacute-Wears-in-Her-New-8220711rdquo-MusicnbspVideo

TGIF, Blinkers!

The weekend starts riiiggghhhtt…wait for it…now. But before we whip out that Olivia Pope-style wine glass, let’s take a look back at all the good news stories this week.

Starting with POTUS Orange’s Trumpcare. As of three hours ago the bill is DOA. Leaving Obamacare in place. And 24 million people all take a collective sigh of relief.#LongLiveObama

 

If you were feeling salty at Colin Kaepernick for suspending his take a knee challenge, this may get you back on his team. On the heels of POTUS Orange proposing cutting Meals on Wheels funding (heartless mofo) C.K. came through by donating $50,000. If this doesn’t have teamwork written all on it…can we get this dude back in shoulder pads please?

beyonce_1490242790845_9025061_ver1.0

Beyonce is showering one deserving fan with her Black Girl Magic. Houston teen Ebony Banks battling a rare form of cancer. To cheer her up friends from her high school, Alief Hastings started an online campaign to arrange a convo with Queen Bey. After numerous Instagram, Twitter and Facebook postings with hashtag #EBOBMEETSBEYONCE (Ebob is Ebony’s nickname) Beyonce Facetimed Ebony on Wednesday afternoon.

Telling Ebony, currently in MD Anderson Cancer Center, she loves her.

Dreams do come true.

Have a great weekend, Blinkers!!

How Beyonce and Nicki Minaj Made Tidal Concert Teaching Moment

landscape-1476628677-gettyimages-614999760

Getty

Hey Fam, how many of you were lucky enough to get the golden ticket to the Tidal X: 1015 concert at Barclays last night?

If so, I’m super jelly you got to be in the same room as Common, Alicia Keys, Tip, Lauryn Hill, Emeli Sande, Beyonce and Nicki Minaj as they performed one hit after another for the benefit concert–all proceeds going towards The Robin Hood Foundation that aims to combat impoverished communities, including education.

As you can see I was catching major FOMO. But I had Alec Baldwin on SNL to give me a laugh, and Instagram posts to keep me in the loop on the most lit moments of the Tidal concert.

For me it was the candid non-PC ones. Let’s call ’em teachable moments from our Queens.

Let’s start with our fave demented Barbie: Nicki Minaj. She stormed on the stage with the illest’tude (Was her ex Safaree backstage?) demanding dudes put their egos in check and appreciate what smart women bring to the table.

“If you a champion female in the mutha fuckin’ building, can’t no weak ass mutha fuckin’ clown ass n****s bring you mutha fuckin’ down. Because you n****s so fuckin’ weak.”

Here’s where the Anaconda rapper’s rant  really gains steam.

“You dare be intimidated by a bad mutha fuckin’ queen? Get your feelings mutha fuckin’ feelings hurt. It’s mutha fuckin’ ok because Barack needed a Michelle, bitch and Bill needed a mutha fuckin’ Hillary, bitch.

“You betta pray to God you don’t get stuck with a mutha fuckin Melania. You n****s want brainless bitches?” Nicki added.

 

Yup, she went in.

On another note–after lighting up the stage with her savagery– Beyonce capped off the concert with an impromptu speech about the importance of voting in this joke of a presidential race.

 

Bey makes a convincing case. After all our folk did die for this right. We must exercise it.

So, guys were you entertained and elevated?

 

 

Issa Rae Raises $500G’s for Alton Sterling’s Kids

issarae

So on a scale from one to 1000, this week ranked one millionth in terms of shittiest.

Amirite?

I’m still in a fragile state to recap what you already know. What I’m sure the whole world now knows. As if they didn’t already. Hell, the King of Pop dedicated a whole song about it in the ’90s. More recently, Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams did a whole breakdown of our beef like an MC–with bars just as insightful as Nas, Common, Mos Def and Talib Kwali–freestylin’ about our appropriation and marginalization.

Actor and Activist Jesse Williams Drops Truth Bomb During BET Awards

Yet, two weeks later and one day after Independence Day (isn’t it ironic?) Alton Sterling becomes not only a hashtag but # 505 on this year’s list–so far– of fatal shootings by police. Not even a full 24 hours later did Philando Castile land # 506.

What’s scary is not only who will be # 507, but the near certainty another Black man or woman will fill the casket. It’s a hopeless reality but no doubt one that’s been contemplated now more than ever.

It makes you wonder if Alton Sterling’s 15-year-old son will live long enough to step foot on the college campus  filmmaker Issa Rae helped foot the tuition for. The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl took to GoFundMe page this week urging supporters to finance a better future for the slain Louisana man’s five offspring by donating up to $200K.

The star/creator of HBO’s new comedy Insecure surpassed her fundraising goal in 9 hours; garnering $567,056 for the Sterling family.

“If you feel helpless, but want to play a small part in easing the burden of #AltonSterling’s family, consider donating to this scholarship fund for his 15-year-old son (and his other kids).

*ALL* funds raised will go to Alton Sterling’s family,” writes Issa.

Following Issa’s lead Los Angeles director Xavier Burgin posted a Go Fund Me page for Philando Castile, which raised $96,040. To help support the Minneapolis man’s girlfriend and daughter, who both watched him get gunned down reaching for his license. The disturbing encounter was streamed live on Facebook.

Philando’s sister also started one to pay for his funeral.

It’s good to know people care enough to give, but Beyonce put it best: “we dont need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives.”

We’re still waiting.

We’re done waiting.

We’re woke and it’s time to start fighting.

Woman Crush Wednesday | Breast Cancer Survivor Walks 1,000 Miles Topless

paulette-leaphart-0-435

Paulette Leaphart flaunts (yes, I wrote flaunt not bear) her scars like an Olympian flashing their medals every time she walks topless across the country.

The only difference for the Biloxi, Mississippi native and single mother of eight is the path she chose to walk down (which currently leads to D.C.) is one she was given.

View this post on Instagram

GOD Could have chosen AnyONE in the WORLD….. BUT HE CHOSE ME!! 🙏🏾 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Paulette Leaphart WALKING 1000 Miles from Mississippi to Washington D.C #Topless ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #BreastCancerMovement #Awareness SUPPORT THE JOURNEY #ScarStory #HistoricMovement #ChangeWillCome Zee Mullen, CEO of Savvy Affairs SPEARHEADING The Paulette Leaphart Story…. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• DONATE HERE: https://www.gofundme.com/PauletteLeaphart •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Beyoncé & Paulette /Lemonade Video http://youtu.be/wD6IJinfrLI •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #ThePauletteLeaphartStory #PowerFul #1000MileWalk #EmbraceYourScars #AliciaJones #NationsCapitol #Survivor #Supporters #BreastCancer #Scars #DoubleMastectomy #ZeeMullen #SavvyAffairs #LifeStylesInAction #ItsALifeStyle #UnScriptedReality #DoingForOthers #GivingBack #Lemonade #Beyonce #DrJackie #LookBook #Married2Medicine #BreastSpeak

A post shared by Savvy Affa!rs™ (@zeemullen) on

 

Leaphart set off on a 1,000 mile topless walk on April 30. Leaving her hometown of Mississippi, making stops in Atlanta, D.C. with her final destination New Orleans (projected June 30th) to raise awareness for breast cancer. And motivate more  Black women to get mammograms.

In 2014, Leaphart was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that resulted in a bilateral mastectomy without the chose of reconstructive surgery.

With two large scars replacing her breasts, all symbols of feminity vanished as well.

“What is a woman without her breasts?” Leaphart asked People. “I have always identified as a very feminine woman.”

paulettelemonade

That changed when she took the bold move to go topless at the beach. The huge applause she received led her to also post a topless pic on Facebook that garnered 100,000 likes.

beachbod

Leaphart also got the attention of Queen Bey. The ‘Get in Formation’singer gave Leaphart a cameo in Lemonade. 

Who better to symbolize making lemons out of lemonade?

To donate to Paulette’s cross-country journey, which is being chronicled in upcoming doc “Scar Story,” click here.

 

 

Woman Crush Wednesday | Beyonce Starts Flint Kids Fund

beyonceflint

Queen Bey has officially got our attention. As if you could ignore her Black power themed Super Bowl 50 performance. Or Mrs Carter’s Flawless call for ‘Formation’ in her latest video.

The Bey swarm is in full effect this week. In between preparing for another world tour (y’all get your tickets?) and dropping another surprise album–Any day now. Any day now–she started a fund for Flint, Michigan kids affected by the water crisis.

Through Beyonce’s charity BeyGOOD, she’s partnering with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to “create a fund that will address long-term developmental, education, nutrition and health needs of the children affected by the Flint water crisis,” Live Nation released in a statement.

The BeyGOOD initiative will also continue its support of United Way. Just laser focus it on United Way of Genesee County, in helping to distribute water filters and bottled water to those in Flint.

Last week Jay Z made headlines for donating $1.5 million to a variety of Black Lives Matter orgs and social justice groups. The money was raised through a Barclay’s Center concert in October–featuring Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Usher and Damian Marley.

Cementing their place as the power couple of the world.

 

 

Black Girl Magic! Beyonce, Zendaya and Kerry Washington Top Celebs Gone Good in 2015 List

blackgirlmagic_web-large

While we’re toasting Golden Globe winners, let’s also raise a glass to all the celebs that gave an ish about social issues in 2015. DoSomething.org, “one of the largest orgs for young people & social change in the world,” was kind enough to keep a tally of all the celeb do-gooders trying to revamp this crazy world for the better by spotlighting issues like gun control, feminism, racial justice and transgender rights.

Including Beyonce, the Flawless performer was not only feeling herself but the Baltimore protesters too. It’s reported her and Jay Z used some of their billions to bail out the Black Lives Matter protesters. And then there’s her surprise jaunt to a Haitian hospital through her Bey Good charity.

Zendaya places sixth on the Celebs Gone Good list and I’m scratching my head why she’s not No. 1. A spot reserved for her pal Taylor Swift. Tell me if I’m wrong… here are the facts: the “K.C. Undercover” star used her birthday to get fans to donate to three African orphans, used a humiliatingly shallow dig (looking at you Giulana) to school us all on discrimination and racial tolerance, participated in initiatives like Get Schooled Foundation to inspire kids to stay in school and is UNICEF’s spokesperson.

amiright

Move over Jay Z and Beyonce. Step aside Brangelina because John Legend and Chrissy Teigen ARE the philanthropic power couple of 2015. It’s not enough they’re good looking, talented and iconic meme motivators (seriously, stop what you’re doing and follow them. I mean right now.) but they’re generosity is on fleek too. Hashtag blessed. The Selma star and his Fab Life wife also rallied behind Black Lives Matter protesters in NYC with donated meals. Following the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado, the couple donated money to the org and encouraged others to do the same. Also (yes, there is more) not one to forget his roots Legend donated $500,000 to his alma mater, Springfield City School District in Indiana.

Viola Davis Joins The Safeway Foundation’s Mission to End Childhood Hunger

Viola Davis gained an Emmy and a gold star from DoSomething.org for her work with childhood hunger. The How to Get Away with Murder star is the ambassador of “Hunger Is” initiative that raises awareness and looks for strategies to combat the country’s childhood hunger problem. An issue close to the Julliard grad’s heart as a victim of those same circumstances growing up in Rhode Island.

No Scandal here. Kerry Washington is a fashion maven, so why not use it as a weapon for social change? That she did. As the Allstate Foundation’s spokesperson for their Purple Purse program that sparks a conversation about domestic violence and financial abuse. Additionally, the fixer everyone loves, is commended for her veteran work with FLOTUS Michelle Obama and LGBTQ efforts.

Last but never least is Serena Williams. The tennis champion gets kudos for hosting the Serena Williams Live Ultimate Run this spring to raise money for her charity and endorsing the 1 in 11 campaign that encourages everyone have access to education.

Riding these goddesses coattails are Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg. She’s a spokesman for No Kid Hungry org to end child starvation in the US and vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. And Black-ish’s Yara Shahidi (and Nas’ cousin) for encouraging girls to get involved with STEM in a partnership with Science Sleuth.

All together now, “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!!”

For a complete list of Celebs Gone Good click here.