By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Style and Sports Desk)
Reactions have trailed Jayz and Rihanna’s $ 2million dollars donation to help fight the Coronavirus crisis. The ‘Diamonds’ singer who previously announced her Clara Lionel Foundation will give $5 million in grants to people working against the disease on the frontline, has now revealed that the additional sum will be made available, and also matched by the ’99 Problems’ hit-maker’s own eponymous Shawn Carter Foundation.
According to the announcement, the money will be split among four charities, helping people such as undocumented workers and children of first care responders/healthcare workers Los Angeles and New York City. Justine Lucas, Executive Director of the Clara Lionel Foundation said: “There are a number of populations who are especially vulnerable during this pandemic — those who are undocumented, incarcerated, elderly and homeless, as well as children of frontline health workers and first responders. Now more than ever, we need to support organizations prioritizing the health and rights of these individuals.”
Gloria Carter, CEO and Co-Founder of the Shawn Carter Foundation added: “In times of crisis it is imperative that we come together as one community to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to critical needs: shelter, health, nutrition and education.
“The only way to get through this pandemic is with love and action.” Rihanna’s annual Diamond Ball – which raises money for her foundation – has been postponed this year and will not be taking place in September as usual.
It is unclear if and when another date will be set for the fundraiser. Rihanna’s foundation outlined a range of purposes when their original donation was announced last week. According to the foundation, the funds will be used for a multitude of causes, including to help provide supplies to food-banks, which are feeding the vulnerable and elderly at this time, as well as to provide funds to help with more coronavirus testing and care in countries such as Haiti and Malawi.
The funds would also be used to purchase protective equipment such as gloves and masks, with the hope that the money will also help with the cost of development of vaccines as well as training of healthcare workers.
