While the bulk of Hollywood’s elite was at the Oscars, Black filmmakers, singers and entertainers gathered for the #JusticeforFlint fundraiser to raise over $100,000 for the city’s water crisis.
Organized by Creed director Ryan Coogler, the fundraiser has served as a response to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy and the environmental racism that poisoned the water supply in the majority-Black Michigan community. The multi-year long mess has led to long-term health effects for residents, and it also highlighted political corruption in the highest branches of the Michigan state government.
The #JusticeForFlint event was part of Coogler’s Black Out For Human Rights initiative that encourages activism among Black celebrities.
“A concern that we had was, at this event, to give [Flint residents] a voice. Humanize the issue,” Coogler said in an interview with The Root prior to the event. “We wanted to make sure that we give them a good night of entertainment. They’re a group of resilient people. But what they needed really is a break. To laugh and have fun.”
Director Ava DuVernay and actor Jesse Williams were also at the forefront of the initiative. Others included Janelle Monae and Stevie Wonder, who performed on stage together.
According to Revolt TV, “Michigan artists, including Detroiters Royce Da 5’9”, Denaun Porter and Dej Loaf took the stage, as did Flint native Jon Connor and the Saginaw-born Wonder. [In addition] Vic Mensa premiered a new song, “16 Shots,” to honor the shooting of Chicago native Laquan McDonald.”
The event was streamed live during the Oscars and is still available online for those who missed it.
Twitter users showed a lot of love for the biggest performers of the night.
https://twitter.com/baratunde/status/703951431825563648
Wow. Stevie Wonder!! Just amazing. What a night. The people of Flint deserve this. #JusticeForFlint pic.twitter.com/o0PygYNYt7
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 29, 2016
Stevie Wonder just made a surprise appearance at #JusticeForFlint! pic.twitter.com/cxrUWUJIsE
— Taryn Finley (@_TARYNitUP) February 29, 2016
Fix the pipes! Then #ArrestgovSnyder #justiceForFlint https://t.co/oLBSmL6dy7
— The Crisis Magazine (@thecrisismag) February 29, 2016
Janelle Monae had it lit!!! #JusticeForFlint #ArrestGovSnyder pic.twitter.com/lBoC1Lop13
— Marco McWilliams (@FugitiveThought) February 29, 2016
Watching @jasiri_x bring it down at #JusticeForFlint
"Don't let 'em get away with murder!"@NYjusticeleague pic.twitter.com/LCDnVH2YBN— Jazzi_Jeff (@Jazzi_Jeff404) February 28, 2016
Love to each artist at #JusticeForFlint EVERYONE brought their A game for #FLINT @ledisi @jsullivanmusic @jsullivanmusic @JussieSmollett pt1
— Janelle Monáe👽🚆🤖🚀🪐 (@JanelleMonae) February 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/iamdiddy/status/704172445360467968
Come on y'all. Pls donate. #JusticeForFlint https://t.co/yOAvu4ntgZ
— Janelle Monáe👽🚆🤖🚀🪐 (@JanelleMonae) February 29, 2016
Ya'll this is a Stevie Wonder concert for real. He and @JanelleMonae singing Higher Ground. #JusticeForFlint https://t.co/Shi6dHMzeu
— Tananarive Due – The Reformatory (@TananariveDue) February 29, 2016
Thank you Flint. Thank you all for the generosity of spirit. Straight forward. #JUSTICEFORFLINT #ProudCollaborator @UnitedBlackout
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) February 29, 2016
Let's go! I'm matching the next $5,000!!! Every dollar counts. #JusticeForFlint https://t.co/GnSeC9V7Cr
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) February 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/AVAETC/status/704165218750898177
