Rosario Dawson, known for her successful Hollywood career, grew up in poverty in New York’s East Village. Despite the challenging circumstances, she witnessed acts of kindness and generosity among the poor community she was a part of. This experience shaped her perspective on compassion and giving, and she has carried this spirit of charity throughout her life.
Dawson’s latest endeavor is the newly formed Rio Dawn Foundation Inc., which she is revealing exclusively to THR for the first time. The foundation aims to support and raise awareness for the nonprofits she has collaborated with over the years. This is not her first venture into philanthropy – she is a co-founder of Voto Latino, an organization that encourages Latinx youth to vote and become politically involved. Additionally, she serves on the board of V-Day, a global activist organization dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. In 2013, she co-launched Studio 189, a fashion and media company based in Ghana that empowers women and promotes African fashion. Dawson’s activism is also evident in her creative projects, such as narrating and executive producing the documentary “The Need to Grow,” which explores the issue of decreasing farmable topsoil.
Despite her involvement in various causes, people often question why Dawson works on such a wide range of issues. She believes in the interconnectedness of these causes and recognizes the importance of addressing them collectively.
Through her years of activism and her service on nonprofit boards, Dawson has come to realize the toll that fundraising takes on the employees and volunteers of these organizations. She observed their sacrifice and the mental and physical burden they bear in order to secure necessary funding. This prompted her to create the Rio Dawn Foundation, which aims to support these organizations and alleviate the fundraising burden they face. Dawson believes that organizers and activists should focus on their respective roles without the additional pressure of fundraising.
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The foundation will raise funds and promote organizations that align with causes close to Dawson’s heart. These include initiatives that use creative arts and holistic living to transform lives, economically empower underprivileged individuals worldwide, fight for environmental justice, invest in young people, champion women and girls’ rights, promote equity, and ensure equal access to education. Initially, the foundation will focus on long-standing partnerships with organizations like Shine On Sierra Leone, known for their work in providing healthcare and education in the African country, and the Lower Eastside Girls Club of New York.
Dawson hopes that the Rio Dawn Foundation will attract individuals who may not have found their place in the activist movement yet. She believes that not everyone can volunteer, but everyone has a unique way to contribute, whether it be through fundraising, amplifying causes, or sharing information. By showcasing the various ways individuals can engage in activism, Dawson hopes to inspire and mobilize a broader range of supporters.
In conclusion, Rosario Dawson’s upbringing in poverty and her compassionate nature have driven her to make a difference in the world. Through her various philanthropic efforts, she has demonstrated her commitment to supporting causes that address social and environmental issues. The Rio Dawn Foundation, her latest venture, aims to alleviate the fundraising burden faced by nonprofit organizations and promote initiatives that align with Dawson’s values. By engaging supporters through different means, Dawson hopes to create a more inclusive and impactful activist movement.
