African-American Actors Who Give Back To Their Communities

I’ve always been inspired by how many Black actors in Hollywood use their platform to do good. It’s amazing to see them not just entertain, but also actively work to improve things for others. They’re not just writing checks – they’re really investing in our communities, whether it’s through scholarships, fighting for equal rights, or helping out after disasters. They often mentor young people and even try to change laws to make a real, lasting difference. I’m excited to share more about the actors who consistently give back through their foundations and charities.

Denzel Washington

For over 20 years, Denzel Washington has been the national spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He often says the organization played a key role in his positive development as a young person, helping him stay on the right path. Each year, he helps raise millions of dollars for after-school programs that offer safe spaces for kids. He also personally mentors young members and speaks out about how important community centers are, especially in neighborhoods that need them most.

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry is widely recognized for his generous support of people in financial need. His organization, The Perry Foundation, focuses on helping African-American communities by tackling problems like homelessness, unequal access to healthcare, and a lack of economic opportunities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he notably paid for groceries for thousands of seniors and helped restaurant workers who were struggling. He also uses his large Atlanta studio to offer job training and employment to people in the local community.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker founded the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) to help communities recover from violence and poverty. The organization works worldwide, including in Uganda, South Sudan, and the U.S., by training young people to be peacemakers and leaders. As a UNESCO representative for peace, Whitaker also works to help former child soldiers rebuild their lives. His approach combines efforts to resolve conflicts with job skills training, creating lasting stability for those most at risk.

Will Smith

Will Smith and his wife, Jada, started the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation to support groups working in arts education and helping people improve their lives. The foundation focuses on projects that are environmentally friendly and create opportunities in the entertainment industry for those who are often overlooked. Smith is also dedicated to bringing clean water to people in developing countries through different collaborations. His approach to giving back centers on building systems that allow communities to become self-sufficient and flourish on their own.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is a passionate advocate for men’s health, leading the One For The Boys charity. He’s dedicated to breaking down the stigma around health issues men face and encouraging them to get checked for cancer early. Beyond men’s health, Jackson also supports the Children’s Defense Fund and has worked to raise awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s research. He focuses much of his charitable work on improving healthcare access and education for underserved communities, both in the U.S. and around the world.

Common

The Academy Award-winning actor and musician started the Common Ground Foundation to help young people in his hometown of Chicago. The organization focuses on building character, promoting healthy lifestyles, and encouraging creativity among high school students who need extra support. Common Ground actively mentors students as they prepare for college, and also offers year-round programs like nutritional support and summer camps to help them thrive.

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart is using his success to give back, especially by supporting education. He’s partnered with the United Negro College Fund to offer scholarships and created his own charity, “Help From The Hart,” which focuses on both education and helping people with medical bills. Hart has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to students attending historically Black colleges and universities. He also prioritizes teaching financial literacy in his community to help close the wealth gap.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle is a well-known activist who has dedicated a lot of effort to raising awareness about the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. He helped start Not On Our Watch, an organization that brings attention to major human rights abuses around the world. He also works with the United Nations Environment Programme as a Goodwill Ambassador, promoting solutions to climate change. Cheadle’s work involves both speaking to leaders and directly helping people affected by conflict and displacement.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx is a strong supporter of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, working to improve research and healthcare for people with Down syndrome. He’s also heavily involved with the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, helping them raise money for patient care and to prevent the disease. Foxx often uses his talents as an entertainer to raise funds through charity events and concerts. His commitment to giving back is often inspired by his own family, and he’s passionate about supporting disability rights and making healthcare available to everyone.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman started the Tallahatchie River Foundation to help young children get a better education in Mississippi, where he grew up. The foundation gives money and support to schools in the Mississippi Delta area, focusing on improving reading skills and learning environments. Beyond education, Freeman also led major efforts to help Grenada recover after Hurricane Ivan, assisting with rebuilding homes and essential services. His commitment to charity stems from a desire to both honor the South’s past and build a brighter future for the region.

Ludacris

Rapper Chris Bridges created The Ludacris Foundation to help young people succeed through learning and community involvement. The foundation centers around three main goals: developing leaders and providing education, encouraging healthy living, and giving back through a program called “LudaCares.” Each year, Bridges often hosts events like food and coat drives to support families in Atlanta. The foundation works hard to empower teenagers facing challenges, teaching them to be independent and responsible members of society.

Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams has been a dedicated civil rights advocate for many years. He serves on the board of the Advancement Project, an organization working for racial justice, and concentrates on issues like the school-to-prison pipeline and efforts to limit voting access in minority communities. He also executive produced “Question Bridge: Black Males,” a project designed to encourage conversation and reshape how Black men are seen. Ultimately, Williams’ work aims to break down unfair systems through both legal challenges and positive representation in the media.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan is working to open doors for filmmakers and creators from diverse backgrounds through his Outlier Society Fellowship. He was one of the first to use an ‘inclusion rider’ – a contract requirement that promotes diversity in film and television crews and casting. He’s dedicated to making the entertainment industry more inclusive and ensuring that stories are told authentically. Beyond filmmaking, Jordan also advocates for social justice causes like police reform and safer communities.

Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie is actively involved in giving back to his community. He provides scholarships for students pursuing technical training and has teamed up with grocery stores to deliver food to essential workers and families in New Orleans, especially during times of need. Mackie prioritizes providing quick, helpful support, with a focus on preserving the local culture and strengthening the financial well-being of working families.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali is a dedicated advocate for both religious tolerance and the arts. He actively supports organizations like UNICEF and programs that promote arts education. Ali often discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion in film, and his charitable work focuses on giving a platform to underrepresented voices to encourage a better understanding between cultures.

Let us know in the comments which of these charities you feel most connected to.

2026-02-16 02:15