Kanye West has made a $2 million donation to the families of those killed due to gun violence and police brutality and Black businesses in Chicago that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a representative who spoke to TMZ.
Some of the money from the donation will go toward a 529 college savings fund for Gianna Floyd, the 6-year-old daughter of George Floyd, and some of it will be directed toward legal costs carried by the families of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
Taylor's family is determined to have the three officers who shot her to death arrested, and the three men who killed Arbery have been arrested and charged, as Blavity previously reported.
Movie stars, athletes and musicians have contributed to causes connected to social justice as protests have broken out in all 50 states against racism and police brutality.
But it hasn't gone well for every celebrity. One of West's longtime fashion collaborators, Virgil Abloh, faced widespread criticism for his decision to donate just $50 and chastize protests.
After being thoroughly dragged online, Abloh released a statement apologizing for his comments and the meager donation.
“As many have said, buildings are brick and mortar and material things can be replaced, people can’t. black lives matter. in this moment, those other things don’t. people who criticize ‘looting’ often do so as a way to make it seem like our fight against injustice isn’t legitimate. i did not realize the ways my comments accidentally contributed to that narrative. as mentioned yesterday, if looting eases pain and furthers the overall mission, it is within good standing with me,” Abloh wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
“I can understand your frustration if you think my contribution were limited to $50. purely false when it comes to the total. i have donated $20,500 to bail funds and other causes related to this movement. i will continue to donate more and will continue to use my voice to urge my peers to do the same,” he added.
Other stars have been more eager to chip in. Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather agreed to pay for Floyd's memorial services earlier this week, as Blavity previously reported.
The families of Taylor, Floyd and Arbery are using the donations for good causes as well, announcing in a unified statement to Blavity that they are hoping to present bipartisan legislation at a congressional hearing in the near future.
“We’re devastated about the senseless violence that has broken the hearts of our families," the families said in a joint statement sent to Blavity. "While we are grateful for the outpouring of love and support, it’s important that now — more than ever — we use our voices to enact change, demand accountability within our justice system and keep the legacies of Breonna, Ahmaud and George alive. This is a national crisis and our government needs to take immediate and widespread action to protect our Black and brown communities."
