Tag Archives: fundraiser

John Legend Makes Surprise Donation to NJ Firefighter Department

According to Page Six, John Legend made it drizzle on a New Jersey fire station on Sunday.

When heading into Wood Ridge 7Eleven, two firefighters approached the crooner to drop dime on department’s fundraiser breakfast.

Before leaving John slipped them $20 for the cause.

Guess the newly-minted EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winner only had pocket change on him.

But, hey, every little bit counts. And John gave that bit away.

As for where the “Normal People” singer was heading, locals speculate Teterboro airport.

Back into the arms of Chrissy, we hope.

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?

 

 

How Beyonce and Nicki Minaj Made Tidal Concert Teaching Moment

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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?

 

 

Feel Good Friday|Every Girl Deserves This Doll for Christmas

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While I’m partial to the Ava Duvernay dollie–it’s currently on hold for my eight-year-old niece. You would have to be a Scrooge not to appreciate Josilyn Martin-Richardson’s efforts in making sure as many little girls as possible have a Barbie under their tree this year.

Did I mention she is eight?

Josilyn’s aha moment came when she was playing with–you guessed it–a Barbie in a Chicago park. And the girl she was with spilled she didn’t have a Barbie. From that day on Josilyn made it her mission that no other suffered the same fate.

She asked her mom if they could take up a Barbie collection for needy girls. Who could say no to that heartfelt request?

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With the help of her parents, Kellie and Jonathan Richardson, Velvet Lounge in Chicago and Rollingout magazine Josilyn arranged a fundraiser brunch this week. She collected 300 Barbies and $600 towards her goal of 1,000 dolls.

The Barbies collected will be scattered to various orgs around Chi-Town, including LaRabida Children’s Hospital,Lowden Homes, Trumball Park of CHA, Ada S. McKinley Youth Services and University Church in Chicago.

Because “every girl deserves a Barbie.”

Donations can be made by contacting Kellie Martin at kelliec.martin@gmail.com

 

 

Uh, Santa this one has been very, very nice this year.

‘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.

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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