Rihanna, a hip hop goddess, fashion icon, and beauty has broken numerous records in the music industry. Her success is seemingly limitless as she continues to hold much influence at the age of 29. She is now using her stunning voice to bring pivotal changes to the education system worldwide.
Acting as an ambassador for the Global Partnership for Education, she has sought change around the world in support of underdeveloped countries lacking opportunities for education. In 2012 she founded the nonprofit organization, Clara Lionel Foundation, which offers scholarships to citizens of Brazil, Barbados, Cuba, Haiti, Grenada, Guyana, and Jamaica to those who seek to pursue a college education in the United States.
In January, Rihanna visited Malawi, an underdeveloped and impoverished East African country. She created a documentary of her experience, showcasing the untapped potential the young children of Malawi possess.
This July, Rihanna payed a visit to French president, Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. A month prior to the visit, Rihanna tweeted to President Macron asking if he would fund educational advancements. The meeting signifies an eagerness to address educational issues worldwide, and especially calls on public leaders to work together on a global platform.
Rihanna’s heart of gold is transforming the lives of so many children in underprivileged nations. Her hard work and dedication has garnered her Harvard University’s Humanitarian of the year award. S. Allen Counter, the Harvard Foundation’s director cited Rihanna’s achievements including her charitable center for oncology and nuclear medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, her scholarship program, and strong support of the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen Project. With the momentum Rihanna has generated, access to an education may be attainable for children across the globe in the near future.
