After receiving an invitation to the Academy Awards Ceremony last year February, Dave Chappelle dropped his prior commitment to attend the #JusticeForFlint benefit event that was held that same evening. But that doesn’t mean he forgot about Flint, and to prove that he donated $50,000 to a local foundation this week.
The popular comedian held a comedy show on June 7, in The Whiting, a performing arts venue in Flint, Michigan. That’s when he announced he would be donating all of the show’s proceeds to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, TMZ reported. In a video, Chappelle is heard saying, “I want you to know that just by coming to see me and supporting the city, I’m not taking a dime,” resulting in a huge round of applause and screams from the crowd.
There was, however, some backlash for Chappelle’s prior actions, especially since the Academy Awards was under heavy scrutiny by black actors that year due to the lack of diverse award nominees. In one of two of his comedy specials released March 21, of this year on Netflix, Chappelle talked about his decision-making process during a skit.
“My own actions drew a wedge between me and the community I hold so dearly,” he told the audience. “A couple weeks ago I was supposed to be in Flint, Michigan, for a charity benefit that was supposed to raise awareness for the appalling conditions of the water in Flint.”
The #JusticeForFlint benefit event also held at The Whiting, raised around $156,000, which was used to aid residents dealing with a major water crisis. The event had may performers like Janelle Monae, Ledisi, Andra Day, Jazmine Sullivan, Musiq Soulchild, actor and Blackout member Jesse Williams, Jussie Smollett and special guest Stevie Wonder.
His decision to attend the event was all set and stone, but when he received a last-minute invitation to the awards show by host Chris Rock he changed plans. “Stevie Wonder was there, they didn’t need me,” Chappelle said. “I’m sorry everybody. I’ve never been to the Oscars. You see the movies I make.” He has played roles in movies such as “Half Baked,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Blue Streak,” “Screwed,” “You’ve Got Mail,” and “Con Air.” Additionally, he has hosted many comedy shows.
The Community Foundation of Greater Flint to which he donated the proceeds t0, is a foundation based in Genesee County, Michigan. CFGF’s mission is to serve the county by “building a strong community by engaging people in philanthropy and developing the community’s permanent endowment – now and for generations to come.” The foundation has been around since 1988 and is a result of The Flint Public Trust, founded in 1950, and the Flint Area Health Foundation, created in1978, joining forces. CFGF has been able to award more than $100 million in grants to the greater Flint area from over 450 funds.
Chappelle’s generous gift adds him to the list of celebrities who have also donated to Flint’s water crisis. That list includes celebrities like Eminem, Beyonce, Russell Simmons, Cher, Big Sean, Sean Combs also known as “Diddy” and Mark Wahlberg.
