Despite all the singer's run-ins with the law, he's done some really nice things for charity.
Although most of the press about the multi-talented Chris Brown is bad these days, the singer/dancer has done plenty of work for charity in the past. Whether it's his own Symphonic Love Foundation or collaborating with other organizations, Brown has given back many times to the world that so often vilifies him. We dug deep to find our eight favorite contributions the artist made.
Boys and Girls Club
The holidays are a time for giving to those you love and to those less fortunate. Chris Brown was feeling the spirit this past year when he made the selfless decision to help out Jessica Roncalli and her three children. “I’ve been very fortunate and blessed with so much in my life and I always thought that it was supposed to be that way. I was selfish, arrogant, and cold hearted. I’m able to bless and inspire so many others and I realize that now. This woman has dealt with domestic abuse through her life and her 3 wonderful children had to experience that. I see myself when I looked into their eyes. The amount of strength this woman has is remarkable. I hope I could make their Christmas a great one. I hope the kids love all the toys and things I got for them. And for moms. I hope I could put a smile on this family’s face.”
Unity Campaign
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Back in Summer of 2013, Brown teamed up with Reebok, his own Unity Campaign, and his fans (Team Breezy) to donate 1,000 pairs of shoes to the “WE US: Walk Everywhere in Unity’s Shoes” event.” Having grown up dependent on donations and the kindness of others, Brown felt it necessary to give back to others enduring the same hardships. Sponsored by the LA County Mayor’s office and affiliated gang prevention groups, the charitable occasion served to remind underprivileged youth in Compton and Baldwin Village that “wherever and whenever they walk, we are a united community.”
GIVE BACK-pack Initiative
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No one can ever say that Chris Brown doesn’t take care of the children, and while he doesn’t strive to serve as a role-model in every way, he does his best to ensure that the young ones understand the importance of giving back themselves when they’re able. Some of his youngest recipients are little ones about to make the big leap from preschool by making a handsome donation to the GIVE BACK-pack Initiative. As part of the Courage for Kids Organization, the initiative focuses on early childhood development by giving backpacks fully loaded with essentials to kiddos before they continue on to kindergarten.
$50,000 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital
By the age of 17, Brown was already doing what most teenagers could only dream of, traveling the world and performing for audiences in sold-out arenas. While most kids his age were working part-time jobs in hopes of saving up to purchase a car or go on trips with friends, he was busy saving his money to give it away. That’s right. In 2006, Brown donated more than $50,000 in proceeds from his Up Close and Personal Tour to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The following year, he returned to support their Math-A-Thon, which focused on helping children with cancer and other serious medical complications.
Debbie Allen Dance Academy
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Remember a few years back when the artist was being chased through Los Angeles by paparazzi and it resulted in him crashing his beloved Porsche? Turns out he was on his way to the prestigious Debbie Allen Dance Academy and refused to let the wreckage of his very expensive vehicle get in the way of such an important day. After arriving at the dance school, Brown watched 11 students audition for 5 highly coveted scholarships from his very own Symphonic Love Foundation. However, feeling moved by the students’ passion, he spontaneously awarded all 11 finalists with scholarships that covered the cost of after school and weekend training, audition fees and entry and a spot in the annual concert.
Art Collaboration and Auction
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Art has always been one of Brown’s passions, and he found ways to use the medium not just as a means of inspiring others, but also to bring good fortune to an organization he cares deeply for, Best Buddies. In recognition of Global Best Buddies Day, put on by Brown’s own Symphonic Love Foundation and Best Buddies International, he teamed up with international pop musician Romero Britto and graffiti artist Slick to create unique works of art that would be auctioned off in the spirit of acceptance and integration. All money earned from the murals and accompanying shirts and smaller prints went directly to the organization.
'Royalty' Proceeds
Winter of 2015 was hectic for Chris Brown. The world had only recently been introduced to his infant daughter, Royalty, and the release date for his highly anticipated, seventh studio album was swiftly approaching. He adorably decided to title the album after his first-born, even adorning the cover with a black and white photo of the two of them together. In appreciation for his fanbase supporting him by purchasing the record, he vowed to donate $1 from every Royalty album sold to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
AIDS Walk
Chris Brown’s Symphonic Love Foundation always goes above and beyond when it comes to supporting those in need. In the past, Brown has organized celebrity sporting events that draw a lot of attention to good causes, one of his biggest partners being AIDS Project Los Angeles. Instead of the classic kickball, basketball or golf tournament, Brown took on the AIDS Walk Los Angeles in fall of 2013. After appealing to his friends and fans on Twitter to join his team, Brown teamed up with a slew of famous faces and good samaritans to raise both money and awareness for the illness.
