Celebs Whose Charity Work Focused on Underrepresented Communities

Celebrity philanthropy has evolved from simple donations to long term systemic advocacy for marginalized groups. Many high profile individuals now use their wealth and platforms to address inequalities in education, healthcare, and civil rights. These stars frequently partner with grassroots organizations to ensure resources reach those who need them most. By focusing on underrepresented populations, these entertainers help bridge the gap for communities often ignored by traditional funding structures.

Rihanna

Rihanna established the Clara Lionel Foundation in 2012 to support global education and emergency response programs. The organization focuses on providing high quality schooling and healthcare to students in the Caribbean and Africa. She has donated millions of dollars to support climate resilience in communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental changes. Her work also includes funding scholarships for Caribbean students attending colleges in the United States.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé founded the BeyGOOD initiative to provide economic and educational assistance to marginalized communities worldwide. The organization launched a housing relief program to prevent evictions for families in urban areas during the health crisis. She also established the Homecoming Scholars Award Program which supports students attending historically Black colleges and universities. Her philanthropic efforts extend to providing clean water in Burundi through the BeyGOOD for Burundi partnership.

LeBron James

LeBron James opened the I PROMISE School in Akron to serve students who are falling behind in the traditional education system. The school provides free tuition and meals as well as job placement assistance for the parents of students. He also committed to paying college tuition at the University of Akron for qualifying graduates of his program. His foundation focuses on creating a supportive environment that addresses the social and emotional needs of underrepresented youth.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa to provide world class education to academically gifted girls from impoverished backgrounds. She has invested over 100 million dollars into the school to ensure students have access to modern facilities and support. The media mogul also provides ongoing assistance to students as they transition to universities around the globe. Her work aims to create a new generation of female leaders who can transform their local communities.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has dedicated over two decades to working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She has carried out more than 60 field missions to witness the challenges faced by displaced persons in conflict zones. Her advocacy focuses on protecting the rights of refugee women and children who are often the most vulnerable in crisis situations. She also co founded the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict to help provide schooling for those living in war torn regions.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams established the Serena Williams Fund to promote equity through education and community development. She has funded the construction of several schools in Kenya and Jamaica to provide better opportunities for children in rural areas. Her foundation also supports the Yetunde Price Resource Center which offers services to victims of violence in underserved neighborhoods. She frequently advocates for equal pay and better maternal health outcomes for women of color.

Common

Common launched the Imagine Justice organization to focus on prison reform and social justice for incarcerated individuals. He wrote the song Glory for the film ‘Selma’ to honor the legacy of civil rights leaders. He also supports urban youth through his Dreamers Only Foundation which provides arts and leadership training in Chicago. His work aims to disrupt the school to prison pipeline by providing creative outlets for underrepresented teenagers.

John Legend

John Legend founded the FREEAMERICA campaign to amplify conversations about mass incarceration and criminal justice in the United States. He visits prisons and jails to meet with inmates and learn about the systemic issues they face within the legal system. The organization works with local and national leaders to promote legislative changes that reduce prison populations. He also supports education initiatives that help formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into their communities.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis serves as an ambassador for the No Kid Hungry campaign to address food insecurity among children in the United States. She frequently speaks about her own childhood experiences with poverty to raise awareness for the millions of children who lack consistent access to meals. The actress supports programs that provide school breakfasts and summer meals to families in low income neighborhoods. Her advocacy work emphasizes that nutrition is a fundamental right for every child regardless of their background.

Leonardo DiCaprio

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation focuses on protecting vulnerable ecosystems and the rights of indigenous peoples around the world. He has donated millions of dollars to support the Amazon Sacred Headwaters initiative which aims to protect indigenous territories in Ecuador and Peru. His organization works directly with tribal leaders to ensure that conservation efforts respect traditional land rights and cultural heritage. He often uses his global platform to highlight how environmental degradation disproportionately impacts marginalized communities.

Zendaya

Zendaya has been a long time supporter of Convoy of Hope which provides disaster relief and nutritional support to vulnerable populations. She used her birthday campaigns to raise thousands of dollars for schools in Africa and for victims of natural disasters. The actress also advocates for diversity and inclusion within the fashion and beauty industries to ensure better representation for women of color. She has collaborated with organizations that provide clean water and healthcare to underrepresented communities in developing nations.

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper founded SocialWorks to empower youth through the arts and education in his hometown of Chicago. He donated one million dollars to Chicago Public Schools to help bridge the funding gap for arts and enrichment programs. His organization also runs the My State of Mind initiative which provides mental health resources to residents in underserved neighborhoods. He frequently hosts open mic events to give young people a platform to express their creativity and build community.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin Manuel Miranda has worked extensively with the Hispanic Federation to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Following the devastation of major hurricanes he helped raise millions of dollars to rebuild local infrastructure and support small businesses. He also established the Flamboyan Arts Fund to preserve the rich cultural heritage and arts community of the island. His advocacy extends to supporting the rights of immigrants and providing scholarships for Latino students in the arts.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington serves on the leadership council for Voto Latino which works to increase civic engagement among Latino youth. She uses her platform to encourage voting and participation in the census to ensure that underrepresented communities receive proper government funding. The actress also advocates for workplace safety and equity for women in all industries. Her work focuses on empowering marginalized groups to use their voices for political and social change.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan established the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to provide medical services and disaster relief to people in rural China. He has funded the construction of multiple schools and youth centers to improve educational access for children in impoverished areas. His foundation also offers scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence despite facing financial hardships. He frequently travels to remote regions to personally deliver supplies and support to those in need.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez launched the Rare Impact Fund with the goal of raising 100 million dollars for mental health services. The fund specifically targets underserved communities where access to mental health support is often limited or not available. She advocates for the inclusion of mental health education in schools to help young people navigate their emotional health. Her work aims to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help and to provide resources to those who need them most.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has been a prominent advocate for mental health and LGBTQ rights throughout her career. She has worked with organizations like Global Citizen to provide mental health support to refugees and displaced persons. The singer frequently speaks about her personal journey to help normalize conversations about addiction and recovery in marginalized communities. She also supports programs that provide safe spaces and resources for LGBTQ youth facing homelessness or discrimination.

Elton John

The Elton John AIDS Foundation was founded to provide prevention and treatment services for HIV and AIDS on a global scale. The organization focuses on reaching marginalized groups who are at the highest risk of infection including the LGBTQ community and people in developing nations. He has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to fund grassroots projects that combat the stigma of the disease. His advocacy work emphasizes the importance of providing compassionate care and medical resources to everyone.

Eva Longoria

The Eva Longoria Foundation was established to help Latinas reach their full potential through education and entrepreneurship. The organization provides parental involvement programs and STEM education to help young girls succeed in school. She also offers microloans and business training to Latina entrepreneurs who often face barriers when seeking traditional financing. Her work aims to close the opportunity gap and build economic power within the Latino community.

Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez has been a vocal supporter of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance to Latino college students. She famously used her personal award season budget to fund a four year scholarship for an undocumented student. The actress focuses on increasing representation for the Latino community both in front of and behind the camera in Hollywood. She advocates for the importance of education as a tool for social mobility and empowerment.

George Clooney

George Clooney co founded The Sentry to investigate and expose the financial networks that fund conflict and corruption in Africa. His work focuses on bringing accountability to leaders who profit from human rights abuses in underrepresented regions like Sudan. He has used satellite imagery to monitor areas for potential war crimes and to provide evidence for international legal action. His foundation aims to disrupt the systems that allow systemic violence to persist against vulnerable populations.

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai established the Malala Fund to advocate for every girl’s right to 12 years of free and safe education. The foundation invests in local education activists in countries where girls face the greatest barriers to schooling. She uses her global influence to demand policy changes that support gender equality in education. Her work focuses on empowering girls in underrepresented regions to become leaders and advocates for their own rights.

Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams founded the non profit organization Yellow to provide equitable educational opportunities for children in low income communities. The organization focuses on creating specialized learning environments that cater to the unique needs of students from diverse backgrounds. He also launched Black Ambition to provide capital and mentorship to Black and Latinx entrepreneurs in the technology and healthcare sectors. His work aims to remove systemic barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from achieving economic success.

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick founded the Know Your Rights Camp to empower Black and Brown youth through education and legal knowledge. The organization hosts camps across the country that teach participants about their rights when interacting with law enforcement. He also provides resources on financial literacy and health to help young people navigate systemic challenges in their communities. His advocacy work focuses on civil rights and the fight against systemic oppression in the United States.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys co founded Keep a Child Alive to provide medicine and support to families affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa and India. The organization focuses on holistic care that includes nutritional support and clinical services for children and their guardians. She has hosted numerous benefit events to raise millions of dollars for healthcare infrastructure in underserved regions. Her work emphasizes that every person deserves access to life saving treatment regardless of their geographic location.

Lizzo

Lizzo has used her platform to support numerous grassroots organizations focused on social justice and reproductive rights. During Juneteenth celebrations she donated significant funds to organizations that support Black women and the trans community. She advocates for body positivity and self love as a form of resistance against traditional beauty standards. Her philanthropic efforts often target local charities that provide direct aid to marginalized people in urban centers.

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion launched the Pete and Thomas Foundation to provide resources for senior citizens and students in underserved communities. The foundation offers scholarships and housing assistance to help individuals achieve their educational and personal goals. She has also donated to organizations that provide mental health support and nursing home care in her hometown of Houston. Her work focuses on giving back to the community that supported her career and empowering the next generation.

America Ferrera

America Ferrera co founded Harness to connect artists and influencers with grassroots organizers to drive social change. The organization focuses on amplifying the stories of underrepresented communities to inspire political and civic action. She advocates for the rights of immigrants and the importance of diverse representation in media. Her work aims to build a more inclusive society by leveraging the power of storytelling and community organizing.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson established The Rock Foundation to support programs that enrich the lives of terminally ill children and underrepresented youth. He frequently works with the Make A Wish Foundation to grant wishes for children facing serious health challenges. His foundation also focuses on providing educational resources and physical fitness programs to schools in low income areas. He uses his platform to encourage resilience and to provide opportunities for those who face systemic obstacles.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to address the mental health crisis in the Black community. The organization provides free therapy sessions and scholarships for students entering the mental health field. She discussed her advocacy while promoting the film ‘The Color Purple’ to highlight the importance of emotional healing. Her work focuses on eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness and ensuring that culturally competent care is available to everyone.

Share your thoughts on these impactful celebrity foundations in the comments.