Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation
The Shawn Carter Foundation, co-founded in 2003 by Jay-Z and his mother Gloria Carter, held an elegant gala in New York City on Friday (July 14) raising $20 million to support those in socio-economic situations to be used People who have difficulties promote their education in post-secondary institutions.
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The fundraiser included a $10 million legacy donation to the foundation from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Jack Dorsey donated an additional $2 million as part of his annual contribution.
The organization’s Friday night gala at the Pier Sixty celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Shawn Carter Foundation and welcomed an array of distinguished guests from music, sports, business and entertainment.
Jay-Z and Ms. Carter were of course in attendance, as was Beyoncé, who shared a series of photos from the evening on Instagram. See her first post here, with pictures of her dramatic dress and a video montage from the gala, which she hilariously added to the “My Husband” remix that went viral on TikTok. (“I’m going to see my husband. I’m happy, I’m happy to see my husband,” Beyoncé says in the audio clip.)
Guests included music artists DJ Khaled, Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill, Babyface, Miguel, Tinashe, A$AP Ferg and Saint Jhn. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Fanatics founder Michael Rubin were also in attendance, as were Regina Hall, Chazz Palminteri, Robinson Cano, Dez Bryant, Angie Martinez, Corey Gamble, Tamika Mallory, Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden and more.
The Shawn Carter Foundation has provided college scholarships, study abroad opportunities, wealth building programs and more to underserved youth and families in disenfranchised communities.
Prior to the gala, the Shawn Carter Foundation and Robert Krafts Foundation to Combat Antisemitism announced a partnership, joining forces to contribute $1 million to end nationwide book bans and protect freedom of education. Fanatics and Live Nation each donated an additional $500,000 to this initiative, which provides book donations, legal support, marketing support, publishing assistance, and additional resources to protect creators and institutions harmed by the nationwide book ban.