Once again, Rihanna has proved that she is indeed a queen by donating $15 million to climate activism.
Barbados native and billionaire baddie Rihanna has just pledged millions of dollars to climate justice organisations in the United States and the Caribbean.
Through her charity, the Clara Lionel Foundation, $15 million USD will be donated to 18 initiatives primarily led by women, young people, Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities working on climate change adaptation.
Making the announcement, Rihanna said, ‘At the Clara Lionel Foundation, much of the work is rooted in the understanding that climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally, with communities of colour and island nations facing the brunt of climate change.’
Referred to on the website as ‘this round of grants’, it sounds like more donations will be made in the future. As a major fan, I’m not exactly partial in saying this – but could Rihanna get any more perfect?
With added contributions from Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey, the huge chunk of funding comes right on time, following a year of uncertainty surrounding climate action.
World leaders may have set ambitious goals at COP26 last November – halting deforestation and transitioning to green transport by 2030 being amongst them – but analysis shows these efforts won’t be enough to halt global warming before the end of this century.
Clearly conglomerates aren’t rushing to forfeit lucrative, climate-destroying business endeavours, and their apathy will see the Global South experiencing the effects of this first.
So within months of reaching billionaire status, Queen Rih is taking matters into her own hands – with the help of a few wealthy friends – to protect those most vulnerable to climate change.
It’s not the first time the music, makeup, and fashion mogul has opened her wallet for the greater good.
In 2008, when Rihanna was just 18, she started the Believe Foundation which grants funds to children with life-threatening illnesses. The organisation also provides resources to underfunded schools and donates clothing to homeless shelters for children.
After starting the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) in 2012, she began giving back to her island home. Rihanna has donated $1.75m in modern radiotherapy equipment to the Clara Braithwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, has provided aid relief in the aftermath of hurricanes, and contributed to the Barbados Micro Grant Program.
Travelling to Malawi in 2017, Rihanna became the first ambassador for the Global Partnership for Education. There she met with teachers, students, and government officials to improve the quality of school for current and future generations.
And then (no, we’re not done) there’s the annual Diamond Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by Rihanna and attended by Hollywood’s most elite celebrities since 2014.
At the gala’s auction, limited edition items and vacation packages are sold to the highest bidder – usually someone in the ranks of 2 Chainz and Cardi B – with all earnings from the ticket-only event donated to the Clara Lionel Foundation.
It goes without saying that a quick scroll through Rihanna’s Instagram shows how she regularly speaks out about global injustices to an audience of 118 million.
From posts about SARS in Nigeria, to the Free Palestine movement, and going incognito at Stop Asian Hate rallies in New York City or regularly advocating for Black Lives Matter – she simply does not stop.
Seriously, I would love to go into detail about her uber-inclusive makeup brand, lingerie line, and the $60 million she raised for women and children affected by AIDS through a MAC lipstick collaboration, but we’d be here all day and you’d probably give up on reading this article.
In light of all that Rihanna has accomplished at just 32 years of age, it’s no wonder she was named Barbados’ National Hero.
When Rihanna said, ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’ she meant it, so that she could use it to make the world a better place.
Deputy Editor & Content Partnership ManagerLondon, UK
I’m Jessica (She/Her). I’m the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
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