Tag: philanthropy

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Dr. Dre Adds To Philanthropic Legacy: Breaks Ground At Compton School He Helped Fund

Source: LA Times

This weekend Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, proudly stood at the groundbreaking new $200 million Compton High School which was fashioned partly through his generous donation. According to a source, Dre has contributed $10 million to the project. This benevolent act was mainly because he desired to see others succeed via access to opportunities he didn’t have.

His words rang with sincerity.

“I was an artistic kid in school with no outlet for it. I knew I had something special to offer to the world, but with nothing to support my gift, schools left me feeling unseen.”

His contribution was more than a gift–it was a hand-up in the form of a new performing arts center in a new school.

Dre (Young) Makes Heart Moves

This is a heart move as much as it is a philanthropic endeavor. The new school is being erected in the hip-hop super producer’s hometown but, even more so, the school will stand in the community, which serves as the birthplace of NWA. Therefore, in every manner, Young’s contribution to the construction of this high school displays a deep and abiding love for his roots.

Young’s Move Speaks Of His Integrity

The breaking of ground is more than a testament to Dre’s generosity in spirit. This weekend demonstrated what an alignment of heart and mind could bring forth. This move reflects what happens when people don’t just talk but act. Reportedly initiative results partly from a promise Dre made in 2015. In 2015 The LA Times reported Dre’s promise to pour into his community in a big way.

“I’ve been really trying to do something special for Compton and just couldn’t quite figure out what it was. Compton Mayor Aja Brown actually had this idea, and she was already in the process of working on it. So I said, ‘Boom, this is what we should do.”

So, as he promised, he donated royalties from his anticipated new album at the time to build a performing arts center for the city’s youth. That’s huge.

Young Lights Another Torch For Education

Education has been a passionate endeavor for Dre. He has openly spoken about the importance of education and what better opportunities would have meant for him. This sentiment continues to serve as a driving force.  In his words,

“I’ve always wondered how much further ahead I might have been had the resources I needed in school were available.”

Dre has proven, with these donations, his concern is genuine, and his moves are about more than lip service. His actions are authentic service.

A Lot Of Smiles To Go Around

Finally, some very deserving youth will see a promise fulfilled. As noted, the school, which has a tentative opening for 2025, plans to be a much-needed resource for a long time coming.

The new campus for the 126-year-old school will include a new academic building that can serve up to 1,800 students, with the possibility of adding 450 more and a new gym, an aquatics center, a football stadium, and track.

So, props to Dre for being the paragon of service he has been and congratulations to the youth of Compton.

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Written by Renae Richardson

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FM News Trending

Queen Latifah Contributes To Her Community With Housing Development

Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah Contributes to Her Community with Housing Development. Photo Credit: City of Newark.

The Philanthropic Queen

Queen Latifah leads the way with her newest philanthropic effort, a housing development. As part of The Rise Living Project, Queen Latifah shines a light on her community through affordable housing development.

As co-president of Blue Sugar Corp, she is partnering with other companies to provide a solution to a growing ill in the community of Newark, New Jersey.

Newark’s Housing Crisis

Housing affordability has become a severe issue in many cities across the globe, much like in Newark, Latifah’s hometown. However, in Newark, the situation has become critical. According to a source,

“The Brick City needs an additional 16,000 low-rent units to meet the city’s rental housing needs.”

And the issue of housing remains critical, only to be amplified by COVID. In fact, eviction rates were staggering following the COVID rent freeze. As a source points out,

“Essex County had more than 19,000 pending eviction cases as of the end of March, and a large portion of those are estimated to be in Newark.

Queen Latifah’s Heart on Display

This housing project has been an initiative of the heart, a labor of love. According to news outlets, it has been several years in the making. Latifah first staked her interest in 2006. However, the news broke in 2016. Unfortunately, not all things happen as we would like them. Due to unfortunate circumstances, things could not come together as quickly as hoped. Nevertheless, what is important here is not when but the mere fact that they have come together.

One proud moment.

Without a doubt, this was a proud moment for the star, a dream come true. One thing is sure it is an indescribable feeling to have the means and the ability to give back and build up. And Latifah is proudly doing that.

In a profoundly moving moment, Queen expressed what led her to that moment, to that place, the groundbreaking. In her words,

“I grew up around here playing in West Side Park, a block away; my grandfather’s hardware store was blocks from here. So, I drove past this block. I saw what was needed on this block, houses that weren’t lived in. Some were really dilapidated, and so I thought, ‘Why not here?

Hope’s Ambassador

With the new Rise project, which gets its name from Latifah’s late mother, residents of Newark will have access to more affordable housing. Indeed, the entirety of the revealing was enough to fill Latifah’s cup. As the consummate artist went on to say.

“I’m a little bit emotional that we got walls up, we got windows.”

And we are as awed and celebratory as she.

So, our sincerest congratulations go out to Latifah and the people of Newark. And in addition, much love and mad respect go out to the Queen for the example she has become. May she continue to be empowered to be a light. Because of people like her, we continue to rise.

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Written by Renae Richardson

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Jacqueline Avant’s Killer Gets 190-Year Sentence

Jacqueline Avant
Jacqueline Avant attends the BET AWARDS '14 Debra Lee's Pre-Dinner held at Milk Studios on June 28, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.

Jacqueline Avant’s killer, 31-year-old Aariel Maynor is facing 190 years in prison without the possibility of parole. He murdered the 81-year-old philanthropist during a home invasion last year. He also attempted to kill an on-duty security guard. News of her death shocked the industry, as not only was she an established philanthropist, she was the wife of one of the biggest names in music history, Clarence Avant. While waiting trial in jail, Maynor allegedly bragged to a friend about how he wouldn’t get much time for what he did.

Jacqueline Avant's Killer Sentenced to 190 Years to Life | PEOPLE.com
Jacqueline, Nicole, and Clarence Avant attend the 11th Annual AAFCA Awards  Jan. 22, 2020. (Photo by Mark Von Holden /Invision/AP)

Who Was Jacqueline Avant?

Jacqueline Alberta Gray, born in Jamaica, Queens NY lived a thousand lifetimes. She began as a phlebotomist, and since then has been a model, and an influence of Black fashion. The socialite met Clarence in the 1960s. They then thrived as a couple. Though, people often describe Jacqueline’s grace and elegance as an example of why people love her. Her daughter Nicole says there’s a deeper side to her. “I think what people are now really understanding is what a natural philanthropist she was,” Nicole said. “She was a philanthropist before it became popular to become a philanthropist and say you were one.”

A Recap Of What Happened

As previously reported by FM Hip-Hop, Maynor broke into the Avant’s home  and shot Jacqueline. After shots rang out, a neighbor allegedly called the police to their home in Trousdale Estates. Maynor later broke into another home in the Hollywood Hills, and accidentally shot himself. Because of the injury to his foot, he rendered himself immobile and got arrested on the 6000 block of Graciosa Drive. There are cameras in the Avant’s neighborhood, so video evidence of Maynor’s vehicle at the scene exists as well.

Maynor pled guilty back in March. Jacqueline leaves behind her  husband Clarence, and their two children, Nicole and Alexander Devore.

Written by Kimberly Stelly | Instagram | Twitter

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FM Politics Updates

The Weeknd Meets with USAID to Discuss Ethiopian Hunger Crisis

weeknd provides ethiopian support

The Weeknd meets with US officials to be briefed on the Ethiopian humanitarian crisis

The Weeknd has always made it his priority to raise awareness and support worthwhile causes worldwide. Last year alone, he made many large donations to different causes: a million for coronavirus relief, $500,000 to help fight for racial justice, and $300,000 for victims of the explosion in Beirut. The R&B singer, born to Ethiopian parents, is again providing aid and spreading awareness, this time for his home country.

In November 2020, war broke out between the local and Federal governments in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. As a result, over one million people are displaced and over 4.5 million people are in need of help. There are also rumors of some form of “ethnic cleansing” in the region. Harvests have been wiped out, leaving some areas in the area near famine. The Weeknd was moved to help.

A Helping Hand

Back In April, he decided to donate 1 million dollars to provide 2 million meals to the area. He shared his thoughts on Instagram.

“My heart breaks for my people of Ethiopia as innocent civilians ranging from small children to the elderly are being senselessly murdered and entire villages are being displaced out of fear and destruction. I will be donating $1 million to provide 2 million meals through the United Nations World Food Program and encourage those who can to please give as well.”

He took his efforts further by meeting with the USAID earlier this week. He was briefed on the US response to the crisis. The USAID is involved in being part of the relief of the region, providing more than 181 million dollars to Tigray. That money should be able to feed 3 million people for two months. Moreover, the USAID provided seeds to the area to help farmers grow new crops. 

The Weeknd shared support for the cause on social media.

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1402766797414092804?s=20

If you would like to help, you can visit here for more info:

https://www.cidi.org/disaster-responses/tigray/

 

Demetrius Sadler | Twitter: @thademigod7