Rihanna’s charities include the Clara Lionel Foundation, Raising Malawi, and UNICEF. In 2017, the pop star was also honored as Harvard’s Humanitarian of the Year.
And on Saturday night, Rihanna received the President's Award for her philanthropic efforts at the NAACP Image Awards.
While delivering her speech, she called for an equal approach.
She began with. 'Thank you. And thank you to the staff, board and community of the NAACP, including all you guys here in this room and everyone at home watching who’s devoted their lives and efforts toward supporting people of color.'
The star then indicated that her efforts are for a bigger purpose. 'OK, I’m going to try to keep this simple because tonight is not about me because the purpose is bigger than me, right? It’s not bigger than us together, but it’s bigger than me because my part is a very small part of the work that’s done in this world and the work that has yet to do.'
Reflecting on her journey, she said. 'I’m lucky I was able to start the Clara Lionel Foundation in 2012. And if there’s anything that I’ve learned is that we can only fix this world together. We can’t do it divided. I cannot emphasize that enough. We can’t let the de-sensitivity seep in. The, “If it’s your problem, then it’s not mine; It’s a woman’s problem; It’s a black people problem; It’s a poor people problem.'
To emphasize, she said. 'I mean, how many of us in this room have colleagues and partners and friends from other races, sexes, religions? Show of hands. Well, they want to break bread with you, right? Do they like you? Well, then this is their problem, too.'
'So when we’re marching and protesting and posting about the Michael Brown juniors and Atatiana Jeffersons of the World, tell your friends to pull up,' the star stated.
'Thank you to the NAACP for all your efforts to ensure equality for our communities.'
'Thank you for celebrating our strength and tenacity. We’ve denied opportunities since the beginning of time. Still, we prevail. so I’m honored. Imagine what we can do together. Thank you for this honor,' Rihanna concluded.
She wore a purple Givenchy gown for the occasion.
