Giving back for her birthday!
A few days before her 39th birthday, Beyoncé announced via her BeyGood foundation that she is donating $1 million in additional funds to help Black-owned small businesses.
In July, the superstar Grammy winner and her foundation partnered with the NAACP to launch the Black Owned Small Business Impact Fund to help those struggling due to the global pandemic. According to the Instagram post announcing the donation, the goal is “to help strengthen small businesses and ensure economic empowerment for Black businesses.”
Beyoncé has spoken out about the impacts of COVID-19 in the Black community. During her appearance at the virtual concert, One World: Together at Home, she told viewers, “This virus is killing black people at an alarmingly high rate here in America.”
She continued pointing out that the risk was higher since Black Americans “disproportionately belong to essential parts of the workforce, that do not have the luxury of working from home.”
“Please protect yourselves,” she said. “We are one family, and we need you.”
Applications for the first round closed in late July. On August 18th, the 20 recipients were announced with grants of $10,000 offered to the businesses. The fun will begin accepting applications for round two later this month. Those interested in applying for the grant or donating to the fund can apply on the NAACP website.
Thank you, Beyoncé, for lifting as you climb!
Photo Credit: InStyle