T.I. linked with TIDAL to create the Money Talk initiative to donate money to six education and employment programs helping teens.
Back in May, T.I. announced that he would be launching a contest looking to assist students and individuals who have their own, or are tied to, organizations that are raising money to fund education initiatives. The organization that had the most impactful proposal would see their money matched up to $250,000.
As it would turn out T.I. wound up picking six finalists instead of one and matching each one of their fundraising totals meaning that he will be donating $35,000 in all.
Here are the finalists:
Fate Loves The Fearless – Education and mentorship program to help Detroit youth excel in school; funds raised will go towards the renovation of a new facility
Shaw Inspires “Teen-Preneurs”– In-school, after school, weekend and summer mentoring and leadership program for youth ages 11-25; funds raised will help the program expand to Baltimore and Charleston
The Musicianship’s 2016 Summer Camp – Summer camp that provides music lessons for young people; funds will be used to buy instruments, supplies, support music instructors, and provide a college scholarship
Generation- You Employed – Program that helps the unemployed youth with skills and job readiness in five countries (Kenya, India, Spain, Mexico and the United States); they plan to train one million unemployed young people and place them in jobs by 2020; funds raised will go towards expanding into Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City
Educate Me College Tour – Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Tour provides cultural and educational experiences that inspire students to examine concerns and personal interests during their college selection process
Truancy Intervention Project (TIP) 25th Anniversary – The drop-out prevention agency partners trained community volunteers with children in the Atlanta and Fulton County Public School Systems who are chronically absent from school and, as a result, either become involved in the juvenile court or are referred for early intervention at the school level