Rapper Megan Thee Stallion has announced that she is partnering with online retailer Fashion Nova and activist May Lee to donate $50,000 to Asian Americans Advancing Justice’s Atlanta chapter in a show of solidarity with the Asian community.
"I am heartbroken by the loss of eight individuals taken from their families on March 16 in a senseless, violent attack against Asian Americans," the rapper wrote in an Instagram post over the weekend.
"We stand in solidarity with all Asian Americans in saying that enough is enough. #StopAsianHate #StandWithAANHPICommunity,” she expressed.
Nine victims, many of Asian descent, were targeted during a shooting-spree near the Atlanta area earlier this month, CNN reported.
As Blavity previously reported, a January executive order from President Joe Biden denounced xenophobia and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). The community has been the target of a surge in hate crimes after the first detected COVID-19 case was traced to Wuhan, China.
Former President Donald Trump and his conservative supporters have stoked racial tension with polarizing commentary such as referring to the coronavirus as the “Chinese virus,” or “kung-flu.” But the executive order instructed federal agencies to adopt new policies of servicing the AAPI community and tasks the Justice Department with preventing hate crimes against Asian people.
Also this month, Megan and Fashion Nova worked together to donate $100,000 to the Breonna Taylor Foundation on the one-year anniversary of her death, according to USA Today.
"A year ago today Breonna Taylor was tragically taken from her family and friends," the 26-year-old wrote on Instagram. "Breonna’s name continues to be a catalyst for change and a powerful reminder that justice has still not been served."
The Houston, Texas native captured Grammys for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for her chart-topping hit "Savage (Remix)" featuring Beyoncé earlier this month. The “Body” rapper also secured the award for Best New Artist.
Megan’s Best New Artist victory marks the first time a female rapper has won the award since Lauryn Hill took home the title in 1999. The Best Rap Performance nod makes Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé the first pair of women to win the award, according to CNN.
After her major wins, the 26-year-old revealed that she and her late mother would often discuss attending the prestigious event.
"I’m so excited. Sometimes I’m in disbelief. I cannot believe I’m this girl from Houston who really made it. Me and my mom used to always talk about me being at the Grammys, and she’d tell me that I’m going to win a Grammy. And I’d always be thinking, that’s so far away that’s so farfetched. To actually be here, I’m like, you know what, I’m gonna make Houston and my family proud. We hea! Thank you, Beyoncé. Hotties, I love y’all!" she told the audience.
On Twitter, Meg thanked her hometown for its swell of support and expressed gratitude for the other nominees.
"H-Town, we got another one! Shout out to all the other artists who were nominated for this category. Y’all are amazing. Thank you again for the endless support and like I always say, it’s only up from here. Real hot girl s**t." she wrote.
