Lizzo performs at the Yuengling Center in Tampa in 2019. (Photo by Dylan Todd)
To celebrate both Pride Month and Juneteenth, Lizzo gave back to the LGBTQ+ and Black communities with five large donations.
In a series of videos released on her Instagram from June 19-24, Lizzo introduced five organizations that she would be gifting with $50,000 donations for her fourth annual Juneteenth Giveback Celebration.
The organizations were The Marsha P. Johnson Institute, Save Our Sisters United, Black Girls Smile, Sphinx Music and University of Houston.
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute is a nonprofit founded in 2014 by Elle Moxley, a Black trans woman who wanted to help improve the lives of all trans women of color. The institute aims to demystify, diversify and expand opportunities in the in the trans community. It is named after the trans activist and self-identified drag queen, Marsha P. Johnson who was a prominent figure in the Stonewall Uprising in 1969.
Save Our Sisters United is a Houston-based network that provides a safe haven for trans women of color to evaluate and control the narrative of how they are viewed. The organization was created to connect trans women of color to the proper resources and assist in navigating the work. Their mission is to empower, connect, and mobilize Trans people of color and women of ethnic minority through self and community empowerment, while better-educating society on anti-norms, stigma, gender biases, and trauma.
Black Girls Smile was founded with the goal of empowering the mental health and well-being of young Black women and girls through culturally and gender-responsive educational programming, support initiatives, and resource connections.
Sphinx Organization is a social justice organization that is focused on changing lives through the power of diversity in the arts. They have four program areas in Education & Access, Artist Development, Performing Artists, and Arts Leadership. Each area form a pipeline that develops and supports diversity and inclusion in classical music at every level.
Black students accepted at University of Houston’s Moores School of Music can apply for the “Sasha Be Flooting” scholarship. This donation holds a special place for Lizzo as she attended this very school on a scholarship for playing the flute. Lizzo wants other students in similar situations to her university days have the same chance at furthering their education that she did.
Any donations made through her Propeller site will enter donators into a contest to win a trip to see Lizzo at Fuji Rock in Japan. The winner will receive round trip travel to Tokyo, two 3-day weekend VIP passes to Fuji Rock Festival, a 5-night hotel recommendations and ground transportation, and the chance to see Lizzo live!
The deadline to enter the contest is July 4, at 11:59pm PST, and you get donate and enter here.
