February is a bustling month for Rihanna and LeBron James, two global icons renowned not only for their extraordinary achievements in music and sports but also for their dedicated philanthropy through innovative non-profit initiatives.

Rihanna, with an impressive track record of 14 number-one singles and an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, remains a powerhouse in the music industry, as noted by Billboard. In 2015, she made history as the first artist to achieve 100 million digital sales and was honored with the 2017 Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award. Recently, Rihanna attained billionaire status in 2021, largely due to her successful Fenty Beauty cosmetics line.

Born in Barbados, Rihanna established the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) in 2012 to honor her grandparents. The foundation focuses on environmental and social justice projects, particularly in the disaster-prone regions of the United States and the Caribbean, heavily impacted by climate change. CLF’s initiatives include proactive climate resilience programs that enhance emergency preparedness through infrastructure upgrades and accessible healthcare solutions during crises.

Christine Platt, CLF’s Director of Communications, emphasizes the foundation’s goal of making the Caribbean the world’s first climate-resilient zone by supporting communities in preparing for natural disasters. The foundation’s approach is scalable and has been replicated in over 35 countries and all 50 states, covering areas such as climate justice, disaster response, COVID-19 relief, education, and racial equity.

Platt highlights CLF’s commitment to supporting climate justice initiatives led by Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), underscoring the interconnectedness of environmental and racial justice. During Black History Month, CLF honors climate justice pioneers like Colonel Charles Young, celebrating their contributions not just in February but throughout the year.

LeBron James, a towering figure in professional sports as the highest-scoring basketball player of all time with numerous accolades including four NBA championships and multiple MVP awards, has also made significant strides off the court. Named repeatedly to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list, James became the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status through investments in athletics, dining, real estate, and media ventures. His production of the 2021 CNN Film “Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street” underscores his commitment to social issues.

In 2004, James founded The LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) to focus on educational initiatives, benefiting over 1,600 public school students and families in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. LJFF’s flagship program, I PROMISE, launched in 2011, supports at-risk third graders to ensure they stay on track academically. The foundation expanded its impact in 2018 with the opening of the I PROMISE School for grades three through eight, offering an extended school day, STEM curriculum, and a supportive family environment.

Beyond academics, LJFF provides holistic support through its on-site Family Resource Center, offering essential services such as medical care, legal aid, financial literacy classes, and a food pantry. Students in the program have the opportunity to earn scholarships for higher education, with nearly a hundred students from the inaugural class currently attending college, alongside 25 I PROMISE parents who have earned their GEDs with LJFF’s assistance.

In response to community needs, LJFF has also ventured into housing initiatives. In 2020, the foundation opened the I PROMISE Village by Graduate Hotels, providing transitional housing and resources for 15 students and their families. Future plans include the opening of I PROMISE Housing, offering affordable multi-bedroom apartments to program families, further enhancing community ties through initiatives like House Three Thirty, a forthcoming community space and resource center.

James annually hosts a Cedar Point field trip and “family reunion” in August, marking the start of the school year and reinforcing LJFF’s commitment to community engagement and support.

An LJFF spokesperson emphasizes that the foundation’s efforts are ongoing and responsive, operating year-round to connect with students and families through various unique initiatives.