Russ and designer KidSuper have raised half a million dollars to donate to black businesses. In a post to Instagram on Monday (July 13), Russ revealed a $500,000 donation to ten black-owned grassroot organizations.
“With the help of the amazing fans me and @kidsuper were able to donate $500,000 dollars today across 10 different organizations,” Russ wrote. “Kinda speechless tbh, y’all are awesome lol hope this inspires other artists and people to help however they can. Love.”
View this post on InstagramWith the help of the amazing fans me and @kidsuper were able to donate $500,000 dollars today across 10 different organizations. Kinda speechless tbh, y’all are awesome lol hope this inspires other artists and people to help however they can. Love ??
The money came through fans’ purchases of KidSuper-designed shirts and masks that read, “If You Want To Change The System Speak Up White Silence Is Pro Racism.” Russ first put the shirt up for sale on May 30, following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd. With a promise to donate all proceeds, the shirt brought in $10,000 and within 24 hours, he’d made over $150,000. Now less than two months later, they hit the $500,000 mark.
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In addition to selling merchandise, Russ has also helped repair small black-owned businesses that were damaged during the George Floyd riots. Along with ScHoolboy Q, the New Jersey-bred artist donated thousands of dollars to help Derrick Hayes and his Dave’s Cheesesteaks restaurant in downtown Atlanta.
Russ also donated towards repairs of the Los Angeles-based Apt 4B Concept Shop.