Here are just some of the celebrities who have taken an interest in Africa and the causes they support.
1. Angelina Jolie
Jolie’s work as a UN goodwill ambassador has taken her to Chad, Tanzania and other African nations. And she globe-trots with boyfriend Brad Pitt and three children in tow, including adopted daughter Zahara from Ethiopia and biological daughter Shiloh, who was born in Namibia.
2. Brad Pitt
In addition to being one-half of Bradgelina, Pitt (right) has gone to South Africa on trips organized by the advocacy group DATA, and recently produced a documentary, “God Grew Tired of Us,” that traces the story of young Sudanese men adjusting to life in America after leaving their war-torn home.
3. George Clooney
The actor (above) visited the Darfur region of Sudan and lobbied for Egypt’s help in getting protection for Darfur’s victims. He later appeared before the UN Security Council to call for an end to ethnic cleansing.
4. Russell Simmons
Simmons, hip-hop mogul and co-owner of Simmons Jewelry Co., visited South Africa and Botswana to learn how his company can empower the lives of Africans. He also created the Diamond Empowerment Fund to support education and medical facilities in diamond-mining regions of Africa.
5. Oprah Winfrey
On Jan. 2, Winfrey (above) opened her $40 million boarding school for girls near Johannesburg, South Africa. The school will ultimately provide a quality education to 450 girls from impoverished families.
6. Matt Damon
The actor recently visited Zambia and since his return has spoken out in support of a clean-water initiative called H2O Africa (h2oafrica.org).
7. Jay-Z
The rapper (above), moved by the sight of children playing near open sewers in an Angolan slum, teamed up with MTV and the UN to lobby for clean water in “Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life.” He also has performed in South Africa to raise money for the cause.
8. Iman
The former model (above) is now the global ambassador for Keep a Child Alive, a response to the AIDS pandemic in Africa. The native of Somalia spearheaded the “I Am African” campaign featuring celebrities from Alicia Keys to Gwyneth Paltrow.
9. Madonna
The pop star (above) adopted 11-month-old David Banda from Malawi, founded the Raising Malawi charity and donated millions to aid the plight of children in the country.
Bono and Bobby Shriver
Co-creators of (Red), designed to engage private business in the fight against AIDS in Africa. Up to 50 percent of the profits from sales of (Product) Red items are donated to the Global Fund supporting AIDS programs for women and children.
What you can do
Most of us don’t have $40 million to carry out Oprah-esque donations. But there are things you can do to make a difference, said Bernadette Paolo, president and CEO of the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa.
– Contribute time or money through your church by donating cash or taking missionary trips to the continent.
– Work with schools to make sure they have sister-city programs or exchange programs with countries in Africa.
– If you can’t visit Africa, visit people of the African diaspora who live in your city and learn more about them. [ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION].
