HISTORY MADE
On February 28th, Harvard University will bestow 2017’s Humanitarian of the Year to international musical phenomenon, Robyn Rihanna Fenty who has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, and gave millions to charities throughout her career.
Each year, the Harvard Foundation recognizes prominent public-spirited leaders, in honor of late Rev. Professor Peter J. Gomes. Last year, the Humanitarian award was given to Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. In 2011, it went to Lionel Richie. Past honorees include actor James Earl Jones; gender rights advocate Malala Yousafzai; and anti-child-labor spokesman Kailash Satyarthi.
Black History Rihanna First Black Female Artist
Rihanna has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes and has personally donated around $2M of her own earnings. At 17, she began taking this path of service to others. Her inspiring legacy will continue in the mission and programs of the Clara Lionel Foundation.
Harvard is recognizing Rihanna for working to improve cancer treatment in her original stomping grounds of Barbados, and for setting up a college scholarship that brings Caribbean natives to America to pursue a higher education, making Rihanna the first black female artist to receive this award. Even though Ruby Dee received this award, Rihanna is the first female musician. Rihanna also supports the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen Project, a multiyear campaign that will provide children, giving priority to girls, with access to education in over 60 developing countries.
The fashion icon, designer, singer and actress’s global impact and humanitarian efforts echo all her business hats and are breaking records, setting new records and at a record pace. Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) in 2012, in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Brathwaite. CLF’s grants fund efforts promote health, education, arts and culture awareness globally.
“Rihanna has charitably built a state-of- the-art center for oncology and nuclear medicine to diagnose and treat breast cancer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados,” said S. Allen Counter, the Harvard Foundation’s director.
Over the past decade, Rihanna’s charitable impact has expanded globally. Some of her contributions have been:
- Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, personally giving over $1 million to organizations like Food Bank NYC and UNICEF in support of the “There for the Philippines” campaign to aid survivors affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
- Serving as ambassador for UNICEF’s Tap Project in 2011.UNICEF’s efforts have helped give more than 2.1 billion people access to clean water since 1990.
- Leading two highly successful campaigns for MAC’s Viva Glam lipstick. She is currently on track to reach the campaign’s goal of $41 million.
- In 2008, participtaing in H&M’s Fashion Against AIDS charitable project.A percentage of proceeds from the line were donated to Designers Against AIDS and YouthAids. As of 2013, H&M Fashion Against AIDS raised more than $10 million.
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Gerilee.Rosado
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© 2017 Gerilee Rosado The B.L.A.C.K Media
