Ludacris
When he isn’t on tour or creating albums in the studio, the multi-platinum recording artist devotes his time to his organization The Ludacris Foundation. The organization aims to empower youth through education, leadership and the LudaCares programs, serving underprivileged youth and families in housing communities.
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Jason Richardson
The two-time NBA Slam Dunk Champion and Phoenix Sun swingman Jason Richardson founded the Jason Richardson Foundation. Each year the organization presents its “Man Up Forum,” in which males of all ages are encouraged to “man up.” The traveling forum seeks to bridge the communication gap among teen boys by presenting influential sports figures, celebrities, and academic leaders to offer them pointers about manhood.
Lil Wayne
Despite his troubles with the law, Lil Wayne launched the One Family Foundation to help rebuild his hometown, New Orleans. After the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster, Lil’ Wayne has reportedly donated $200,000 to help rebuild the city.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Alicia Keys
It is no secret that the newly wed R&B songstress is on a mission to help fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. She serves as co-founder of Keep a Child Alive, an international organization working to supply children with adequate living conditions and medication for children diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
(Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)
Hill Harper
Actor Hill Harper has created the Manifest Your Dreams organization to help equip disenfranchised youth with resources and positive reinforcement. The Ivy League graduate values education; his organization offers aspiring teens internships, apprenticeships, and grants.
Common
The Chicago native, actor and conscious rapper founded Common Ground Foundation, which provides a myriad of programs for youth. The CGF seeks to build leaders from the ground up, as it serves underprivileged youth. The organization also seeks to promote literacy with its Readers ARE Leaders program.
(AP Photo/VH1, Evan Agostini)
Jessica White
Much more than a pretty face, supermodel Jessica White has launched Angels Wings Foundation. Based in Buffalo, Jessica’s hometown, the organization shelters abused women. As a testament to her past struggles, she says that she is dedicated to empowering battered women to keep dreaming big.
(fafotos/picturegroup)
Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith
The Hollywood power couple, Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith have dominated the music and movie business for more than a decade. But, despite their star power, the husband and wife team remembered their humble beginnings, when they formed the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation. The organization provides resources and educational programs to inner city families and youth.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/PictureGroup)
Steve Harvey
Harvey has become a household name as a comedian, actor, author, radio and television personality. As if that wasn’t enough, he has expanded his philanthropic giving. As founder of the Steve Harvey Foundation – which serves as the parent organization for Mentoring Weekend for Young Males, Disney Dreamers Academy, and The Steve Harvey Foundation Gala – he has expanded his charitable giving in response to the increased needs for mentors and resources.
(AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Darrin Bush)
Kanye West
Love him or hate him, the chart-topping hip-hop mogul has dedicated himself to combating the high-school dropout rate. The organization’s music production program, “Loop Dreams,” seeks to capture students’ interests and inspire them to graduate. After the death of his mother and founder of the Kanye West Foundation; West has spearheaded the non-profit project.
(AP Photo/Paul Beaty, file)
Venus & Serena Williams
Tennis champions, Venus and Serena Williams collaborated with their mother, Oracene Price, co-founding the OWL Foundation. The organization seeks to address learning disabilities among school age children.
(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Ne-Yo
No stranger to compassion, R&B crooner Ne-Yo has co-founded the Compound Foundation, which promotes awareness about youth in the child welfare system. The Atlanta based foundation links with other non-profits to better target youth affected by the child welfare system.
(AP/Photo)
Oprah Winfrey
Billionaire tycoon and media mogul, Oprah Winfrey has expanded her philanthropic efforts. She has founded three non-profit organizations: Oprah’s Angel Network, Oprah Winfrey Foundation and The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation – all of which fit under the umbrella of the parent organization, O Philanthropy.
(AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)
T.I.
Rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris Jr. and wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle founded the organization, “For the Love of Our Fathers,” created in honor of both their fathers’ bout with Alzheimer’s disease. Their organization recently raised funds to support on-going research.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Magic Johnson
The retired five-time NBA champion has cemented his role as philanthropist with the creation of the Magic Johnson Foundation. The organization teaches HIV/ AIDS education and prevention, and provides scholarships to underprivileged minorities. It has funded 18 organizations, throughout the country, to create and stabilize youth empowerment centers helping to off-set the cost of software, technology, and other programs.
(AP Photo)
Jay-Z
Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z teamed up with his mother, Gloria Carter, to launch the Sean Carter Scholarship Foundation. It provides low-income students with an opportunity to pursue a higher education.
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Beverly Bond
Bond’s unique transition from the modeling world, to the DJ turn-table was the launching pad for Black Girls Rock. What started as a T-shirt line and mentorship program for young girls, promoting self-esteem, became a nationally syndicated award show. The BGR award show debuted on BET earlier this with host Nia Long. The show honored the likes of Ruby Dee, Raven Simone, and KeKe Palmer.
(Photo by Mychal Watts/PictureGroup)
Larry Foote
The two-time Super Bowl champion and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker has founded the Best Foote Forward Foundation. The organization provides scholarships, and offers assistance to community residents and servicemen, e.g. police officers, military troops and single mothers.
(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Our celebrity-driven culture has kept us on the pulse of our favorite stars whereabouts, mischief and hottest parties. This year we have cried with them during their losses; cheered for their successes; and shook our heads with shame when we felt let down by them.
These stars have managed the limelight and leveraged the power of their celebrity through philanthropy. Some have founded non-profits, while others have invested time, money and resources to worthy causes worldwide. During this Thanksgiving season, some stars are donating even more to benefit a greater amount of people.
