Kandi Burruss makes the term “powerhouse” seem like an understatement. Before becoming a well-known figure in reality television by joining Bravo TV's The Real Housewives of Atlanta in its second season, the Atlanta native was collecting massive accolades for her contributions to the music industry and Black culture overall.

Xscape

Burruss reached superstardom before the age of 18 with her music group Xscape in 1992. Consisting of Burruss, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, LaTocha, and Tamika Scott, the group flourished in the R&B music scene in the 1990s.  Their debut album,  Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha, featured singles such as  “Just Kickin’ It” and “Understanding,” followed by their 1995 sophomore effort Off The Hook, which produced the hits  "Feels So Good" and "Who Can I Run To" — all of which had Black women in a chokehold.  After Traces of My Lipstick, the group's third and final studio album,  Burruss blossomed into her solo music, production, and songwriting career.

Photo Credit: Evan Agostini

Solo Career

When she stepped into her solo stride, Kandi made a major impact in the music industry. In 2000, she released her debut single as a solo artist,  "Don't Think I'm Not," a catchy- radio tune that peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Fans were also shocked to find out that Kandi filmed the entire video for "Don't Think I'm Not" with a broken leg after it was crushed between two cars the day before the shoot.

Some of you may also remember her guest appearance on E-40's "U And Dat," which also featured T-Pain.

In 2010, Kandi released her second album, Kandi Koated, on Asylum Records.

The Songwriter

One can not forget Kandi's contributions to the music industry as a writer. She is credited as a writer on a number of hits that many would consider a cultural reset. These songs range from Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills,"  "No Scrubs" by TLC, and even "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran. Kandi's pen game really could warrant its own article.


Kandi Becomes A Housewife

Kandi Burruss made her television debut when she joined NeNe Leakes, Kim Zolciak, Lisa Wu, and Shereé Whitfield as a Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member in 2009. In 2012, she received her first RHOA spin-off The Kandi Factory, followed by Kandi's Wedding, and Kandi's Ski Trip.

Courtesy: Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic

Kandi Cares

While The Real Housewives of Atlanta has been able to capture the ebbs and flows of Kandi's career., what stands out are the contributions she has made with her non-profit organization, the Kandi Cares Foundation

Kandi Cares covers all sorts of ground in the community. They do this through various events and initiatives. 

Kandi Cares School Assistance Scholarship Program & College Care Package

Education is one of the core values of the Kandi Cares Foundation. From this core value, Burruss has created her scholarship program which is a one-time scholarship of award for tuition, books, and related expenses to selected applicants. Additionally, Kandi Cares also hosts a College Care Package Program that sends care packages of college essential products to college students coming from deserving families.

Kandi Cares’ Arts & Entertainment Summer Camp

Since Burruss is a high school graduate from the popular performing arts high school, Tri-Cities High School in East Point, GA, enrichment is a vital characteristic in Kandi Cares. The Kandi Cares Foundation offers an arts and entertainment summer camp that focus on music, art, and dance for kids from ages 7-15.

Kandi Cares support doesn’t stop when the summer ends, either. Kandi Cares hosts annual back-to-school events giving away school supplies such as backpacks, pencils, notebooks, and more in the Atlanta community.

Photo Credit: Paras Griffin

Kandi Cares Supports Single Mother Empowerment Program

Kandi also has a special spot for single-parent families, having been a single parent herself with her first child, Riley Burruss. She always makes a point to support single-parent families in offering financial literacy workshops for single parents. She also selects single-parent households to grant immediate needs such as financial assistance, or access to single-parent-focused webinars.

Kandi Cares Grocery Pop-Ups

Many people see the cost of living has risen overall nationally and one of the major bills that can hurt a single-parent ran family is groceries. The Kandi Cares mission to serve single-parent households in times of difficulty pushes their food drives and grocery pop initiatives throughout the year. Kandi Cares hosts grocery pop-ups throughout the year for families to get all of their grocery needs free of charge and no paperwork needed.

Photo Credit: Albert E. Rodriguez

It's clear that Kandi Burruss is as multifaceted as they come. She even owns Bedroom Kandi which is her official site where she sells sexual wellness products as well. She does it all, and she has lasted in a bevy of industries, thriving as a Black woman. She should be heralded for all that she is and all that she continues to do. Kandi exudes what it means to truly evolve and put your best abilities to work in this life.

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Kaylah Kelty is a Senior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University from Charlotte, NC. Currently, she is pursuing her B.S. in Journalism and Mass Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. She focuses her craft in PR on the entertainment and travel sector.