Rapper and actor Common made the day of a group of Harlem students when he surprised them by donating $10,000 to help teacher pay for supplies such as calculators and science kits.

The Oscar and Grammy winner talked with the Associated Press after the event. “I always felt like one of my biggest duties and purposes is to hit the youth with something that’s inspiring," he told them. "Hit young people with something that can motivate them to be in their greatness.”

Partnered with the nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org and Burlington Stores, he stopped by Renaissance School of the Arts in Harlem to give them the funds on Thursday. When the students saw him, they were ecstatic.

Not only did Common give money, he also talked to the students about keeping their grades up, staying true to themselves and their dreams, and persevering. He talked about how he didn't get every acting role he wanted and having to compete with other artists for the chance to create a song for the movie, Selma. However, through his perseverance, “Glory” with John Legend went on to win the Academy Award for best original song in 2015.

Two students were able to perform original poems for Common, and one student, Jadon-Li M. Antoine, said Common's visit motivates him to keep aiming for his dreams.

Common brought his mother, Dr. Mahalia Hines, with him. She is an educator and member of the Chicago Board of Education. She recalled having to buy her own supplies for her classroom as most teachers do.

“A lot of the materials you needed to teach, we weren’t given the money to do it so you just went out and bought your own. If you had to have notebooks … you bought them because there were many lessons you definitely would not have been able to do without them,” she said.

We all know children are the future, so big ups to Common for helping motivate and supply the youth. Burlington has been raising money from its 599 stores to help other schools, asking customers to donate $1 or more. It began on July 9 and goes through Aug. 19. Hopefully, many more schools can have help with supplies. Every dollar counts.

Black Youths

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