Alicia Keys has partnered with the NFL to create a $1 billion dollar fund aimed at supporting Black-owned businesses. Keys explains that the idea for the fund came together amid protests in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.
“We are already seeing the blatant injustices that are going on around us,” Keys said.
“As an artist, I’m always thinking about how can I use my platform to further racial equity. This fund is one of the answers and our goal is to empower Black America through investing in Black businesses, Black investors, institutions, entrepreneurs, schools and banks in a way to create sustainable solutions,” she added.
VIDEO: @AliciaKeys premiered her latest single, "Love Looks Better" from her upcoming album ALICIA, at the #NFL #Kickoff2020
— Alicia Keys Daily (@aliciakeysdaily) September 11, 2020
Keys also indicated that she wanted to create a fund rather than put together a one-time donation. Furthermore, she hopes to expand the fund beyond the $1 billion mark.
“The initial goal of $1 billion is to ensure a substantial commitment,” she said.
“Even with that it does not come close to closing the economic gap. The next steps are to reach out to different industries to invite them to invest in racial justice and create a multi-billion dollar endowment across business sectors,” she continued.
The fund is just the latest effort from the NFL to combat social justice. At this time, there is no word as to how or when this fund will be distributed among Black communities. Additional partners and donors beyond the NFL and Keys have not been revealed.
