A-List Celebrities With a Passion For Giving Back

Whether entertaining millions on the big screen or performing to sold-out crowds, countless celebrities stand out for the talent they share with the world. For those who have climbed to A-list status, their success comes with more than fame—it grants them resources and a powerful platform to spread kindness, turning their spotlight into a beacon of hope for others. From tackling social issues to uplifting communities, these female A-listers make a difference through their foundations and independent acts of good. They remind us all what it means to shine bright.

Beyonce Knowles-Carter, also known as Queen Bey to many, is a mega-watt superstar entertainer. From her early days as a member of the successful group Destiny’s Child to her record-breaking solo career, Beyoncé has garnered fame and accolades from around the world. However, while everyone is familiar with her music, her philanthropic endeavors may not be as widely discussed. Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, Beyoncé champions economic equity by providing aid, including scholarships, entrepreneurial support, and disaster relief. Personally touched by the loss of her mother’s Malibu home just this year, BeyGood Foundation, a non-profit organization, donated $2.5 million to the L.A. Fire Relief Fund to assist the communities devastated by the wildfires in Altadena and Pasadena.

Queen Latifah (born Dana Owens) is a celebrated rapper-turned-actress whose career spans a wide range of endeavors. From such hit songs as U.N.I.T.Y. and Ladies First to hit movies like Set It Off and Girls Trip and television shows including Livin’ Single and The Equalizer, Queen Latifah’s charitable work is as varied as her career. She co-chairs the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Foundation, founded in 1992 by her mother in honor of her brother, who died in a motorcycle accident. The foundation supports underprivileged youth in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey, who lack the resources to attend college. However, she supports a multitude of causes, including LGBTQ+ rights and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and partners with the American Lung Association to raise awareness of the effects of COVID-19 in communities hit hardest. She has made an enormous impact on her hometown through her business BlueSugar Corp., which invested $14 million into an affordable housing project named RISE (Rita is Still Everywhere) Living. The project’s name reportedly honors her late mother, Rita Owens.

Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty) is a multi-passionate entertainer and businesswoman. She is an award-winning musician with multiple Grammy Awards, Billboard Awards, American Music Awards, and more. In addition to her music career, Rihanna is also an actress. As the founder of Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty fashion line, she is also known as a savvy businesswoman. Her humanitarian efforts began at the age of 18 when she started the Believe Foundation to help terminally ill children suffering from illnesses such as AIDS/HIV and cancer. In 2012, she launched the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, after her grandmother died from complications of cancer. Initially funded by a personal donation of over $500,000 from Rihanna, the foundation is now heavily supported by the Annual Diamond Ball and Rihanna’s brands, Fenty and Savage X Fenty. This enables the foundation to award grants that support global programs in education, health, arts, and culture in the Caribbean, East Africa, and the U.S. South. Such programs include the Clara Braithwaite Centre for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, the Clara Lionel Foundation Global Scholarship program, and the Barbados Micro Grants for Schools Program. Furthermore, the foundation supports disaster preparedness, women’s entrepreneurship, and other community needs.

Oprah Winfrey, best known as the trailblazing host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, has built an empire as a media mogul, actress, and producer. On her legendary talk show, she became famous for surprising audience members with life-changing gifts—from dream vacations and scholarships to one of the most unforgettable giveaways of all time, when she promised a car to every audience member. How can anyone forget “You get a car! You get a car! You get a car!” But Oprah’s commitment to uplifting others does not end there. It extends far beyond the television screen and reaches near and far. In 2007, Oprah Winfrey donated millions of dollars to establish the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, reflecting her belief that “education is the door to freedom.” She has also generously supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including her alma mater, Tennessee State University.