The NFL kicked off their 2020 football season with social distancing protocols set in place due to continued risk caused by the coronavirus pandemic. As the league opened the season on Thursday, Sept. 10 with the Chiefs-Texans game, it partnered up with Grammy-winning artist Alicia Keys to sing at the game, and the singer also announced a bold initiative around the same time.
The 39-year-old says her collaboration with the NFL doesn’t just stop at game performances. The “So Done” songstress recently announced she is starting a $1 billion endowment fund aimed at supporting Black businesses and communities and has gotten the league to support the endeavor.
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During an interview with Billboard, Keys dove into detail surrounding the initiative and what inspired her to get involved. “We are already seeing the blatant injustices that are going on around us,” Keys explained. “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.”
In a letter, Keys explained that the purpose of the fund was to take the protests and words of solidarity that have taken place over the past months and transform them into tangible actions and support for the Black community.
