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While it would certainly benefit all of us to find time and make a difference on some level in our respective communities, celebrities have a far bigger responsibility when it comes to giving back. For all the glitz and glam that comes with lifestyles of the rich and famous, it’d be nice to believe there’s room for humility in Hollywood as well.
That’s why for Make a Difference Day (10/26), we’re shedding light on the handful of entertainers within our culture who’ve used their influence and public image for good, whether it be providing a shining example for the future leaders of tomorrow or making major steps to go the distance and end world hunger altogether.
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For celebrities of color in particular, many who themselves can vividly remember coming from meager beginnings, the act of giving back through change is something of a cultural calling. Being an influential public figure pretty much means that you’ll have a major amount of attention on your every move. With that said, wouldn’t it make sense to get those millions of followers across the globe focused on bettering the community? We commend celebrities from any race who choose to make a difference — Angelina Jolie worked wonders alongside the UN Refugee Agency for two whole decades; U2 rock icon Bono co-founded both ONE and (RED). However, it can mean so much more when a star from our culture makes time to water their roots and ensure the whole garden grows alongside their own shine.
Keep scrolling to see how some of your favorite Black entertainers have used their star power for the sake of good over the years. On this Make A Difference Day, see if some of these famous faces can inspire you to spark a change needed in your own community:
Stephen & Ayesha Curry – EAT. LEARN. PLAY. FOUNDATION
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation’s latest mission will be supporting children and families across Oakland with a combination of nutritional, educational and enrichment programs thanks to a new partnership alongside Joie baby gear.
Alicia Keys – Keep A Child Alive
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Even in her latest Broadway venture with Hell’s Kitchen, Alicia Keys has found a way to give back. One dollar of every ticket sale will be donated to Keep A Child Alive, already raising $300,000 since premiering in April. A matching contribution even brought total money raised to a whopping $1,000,000.
Jay-Z – REFORM Alliance
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: There’s no question that REFORM Alliance has been making strides within the job fair market lately. The recent Team REFORM Virginia Job Fair connected those who’ve been impacted by the justice system with over 1,000 viable employment opportunities. Resume reviews, professional headshots and a chance for attendees to look sharp in the moment by way of on-site barbers were all available services.
Beyoncé – BeyGOOD
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Whether providing resources for Breast Cancer Awareness Month or disaster relief during Hurricane Helene, King Bey is definitely making sure that her 11-year-old non-profit is fully representative of her status in the industry.
Gabrielle Union – Young Survival Coalition
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Speaking out as a sexual assault survivor, paired with sharing the experience of losing a close friend to breast cancer, was a message that many young girls going through similar circumstances needed to hear from a huge star like Gabrielle Union. With its multilingual resources and overall mission statement, Young Survival Coalition proved to be a perfect fit to get her inspiring story across.
Viola Davis – ‘Hunger Is’ Program
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Viola Davis was recently honored at the 2024 Action Against Hunger Gala (10/16) with its Humanitarian Award for decades of hard work in promoting food security for children everywhere. As made evident in her gracious acceptance speech (seen above), it’s a topic that hits quite close to home.
Oprah Winfrey – OWLAG (Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls – South Africa)
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Pushing out graduates ever since opening back in 2007, Oprah proudly boasts the fact that she’s personally attended an impressive 22 graduations for her self-described “daughter-girls” of OWLAG who went on to study at universities. Her latest shining example, Dr. Bongeka Zuma, graduated summa cum laude at Spelman before getting her master’s degree at Oxford, which led to the Doctor of Medicine she received from Stanford University this past June.
LeBron James – I PROMISE School
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Family is the core theme at I PROMISE School, and LeBron along with the diverse range of educators all find a variety of intriguing ways to help make sure that’s always the mission statement within their hallways. A place where eighth graders have kickstarted a “Changemaker Challenge,” which identified city problems and developed solutions, is a definite change towards greatness in our book.
Denzel Washington – Boys & Girls Clubs of America
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Who hasn’t been inspired by seeing Denzel’s famous Boys & Girls Club of America billboard plastered somewhere in their local area over the years? It’s a testament to how strong the Oscar-winner’s lifelong bond has been to the organization and helping to expose the youth of many generations to resources he was able to utilize as a BGCA Club Kid himself.
John Legend – ‘Show Me’ Campaign
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Being the second youngest EGOT in the game comes with some recognition, and we’re just glad John Legend took time with his Show Me Campaign to use his award-winning voice to spread awareness on everything from the importance of educators to the human and financial toll of mass incarceration.