Celebs: Caught Doing Good
This blog posting focuses on African American celebrities caught in the act of doing good…beginning with the most well-known giver of all, Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah Winfrey. Talkshow host Oprah Winfrey founded Oprah’s Angel Network to promote helping others, but her most notable work to date has to be the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, which aims to help low-income girls receive an education.
Nelson Mandela. The cCivil rights icon and activist who was a key motivator for the ending of apartheid in South Africa, and who ultimately became the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, gives regularly to Africare. Africare is committed to being the premier Africa-focused non-governmental organization (NGO) working in partnership with African people to build sustainable, healthy and productive lives and communities, and to be a leading voice addressing African development and policy issues.
Denzel Washington. This A-List actor contributes to the Fisher House Foundation. is a unique private-public partnership that supports America’s military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The program serves more than 10,000 families, and have made available nearly 2.5 million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990.
Bishop Desmond Tutu. Bishop Tutu, South African activist and retired Anglican bishop, works with Free the Slaves. Free the Slaves works on the ground with liberators around the world to do what it takes to free men, women and children, and to help them stay free.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson. “Magic” Johnson, retired NBA All-Star and entrepreneur extraordinaire, developed the Magic Johnson Foundation to support programs and community-based organizations that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities.The Foundation has addressed these needs for more than 20 years.
Grant Hill. NBA All-Star and Duke University graduation, Hill gives of his time and talents to many organizations, including the Make A Wish Foundation of America. Make A Wish, since 1980, has been in the business of making the dreams of children facing life-threatening illnesses come true.
Alicia Keys. Singer, songwriter, pianist, producer, author, news correspondent, award winner, philanthropist and actress, Alicia gives of her graces to Keep a Child Alive. Keep A Child Alive provides more than medical assistance to children in Africa who are victims of the HIV/ AIDS viruses. KACA also provides the essential nutrition, shelter, support and education to help ensure that the children have dignity of life as they undergo treatment.
