Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation Raise $20 Million at New York City Gala – Billboard

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation

The Shawn Carter Foundation, which was founded by Jay Z and his mother, Gloria Carter, in 2003, is hosting a black tie party in New York City on Friday (July 14), raising $20 million that will be used to help people facing social and economic hardships further their education in Post-secondary institutions.

The fundraiser included a $10 million donation to the foundation from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Jack Dorsey donated an additional $2 million as part of his annual contribution.

The organization’s Friday night gala at Pier Sixty celebrated the Shawn Carter Foundation’s 20th anniversary and welcomed a number of notable guests from music, sports, business, and entertainment.

Jay-Z and Mrs. Carter were, of course, in attendance, as was Beyoncé, who shared a series of photos from the evening on her Instagram. See her first post featuring photos of her dramatic dress hereand a Video montage of the ceremony, which she hilariously put on the “My Husband” remix that went viral on TikTok. (“I’m meeting my husband. I’m happy, I’m happy, to see my husband,” Beyoncé says in the audio clip.)

Guests included music artists DJ Khaled, Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill, Babyface, Miguel and Tinashe, A$AP Ferg, and Saint Jhn. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Fanatics founder Michael Rubin were also present, as well as Regina Hall, Chaz Palminteri, Robinson Cano, Des Bryant, Angie Martinez, Corey Gamble, Tameka Mallory, Zane Lowe, and Ebro. Darden and more.

The Shawn Carter Foundation has provided college scholarships, study abroad opportunities, wealth-building programs and more to disadvantaged youth and families from disadvantaged communities.

Ahead of the ceremony, the Shawn Carter Foundation and the Robert Kraft Foundation Against Anti-Semitism announced a partnership and collaboration to contribute $1 million to stop nationwide book bans and protect educational freedom. Fanatics and Live Nation have contributed an additional $500,000 each to this initiative, which will provide book donations, legal support, marketing assistance, publishing assistance and additional resources to protect creators and institutions affected by nationwide book bans.