Common Donates $10,000 to Manhattan Public School
Common put his money where his mouth is on Thursday (July 19) by donating a sizable chunk of cash to P.S. 111 in midtown Manhattan.
The "Go!" rapper visited the elementary school as an ambassador for the nonprofit Adopt-A-Classroom, which helps underfunded teachers pay for school supplies. Toward that end, Common offered the school a $10,000 check. He also spoke to students during an assembly and recited lyrics from his 2016 song, "Black America Again."
“When I saw the kids I really was just trying to let them know we were here because we care and that we value them and that they have the world at their hands," he told the Associated Press.
The donation follows an outspoken year by Common, who has delivered politically charged performances in recent months at the Academy Awards, the Women's March in Utah and the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington D.C. He was joined at the latter by Vic Mensa and Kanye West.
Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean children recognize him. The MC joked to AP about his age and lack of fame among modern pre-teens.
“They were looking like, ‘Who is this dude? We don’t know him,’" Common said. "But I’m still just here to connect with children, and connect with the people and our teachers. So, I felt that it was more fun. It is humbling, but it is fun to try and get them to pay attention.”
You can watch video coverage of Common's visit and donation below.
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