LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, 2017 – In a live broadcast event on Friday, August 4th, Tyrese Gibson introduced The Love Circle Foundation, a philanthropic organization he founded to empower youth in underserved communities. Introduction of the new foundation comes as part of the third annual WE Day, a day dedicated to celebrating inspiring young change-makers who are tackling important issues in their communities and around the world. The young people of WE Day California are proof that everyone has the power to create change,” said Gibson, an ambassador to WE Day. “I hope I can help inspire them to keep making a positive impact—because I want my daughter, and kids everywhere, to grow up in a world of respect, equality and love.” The hour-long U.S. WE Day Broadcast will air at 8pm ET/7pm CT on CBS.
Gibson, an actor, producer, six-time GRAMMY® nominated musician, author of two self-help New York Times bestsellers, How to Get Out of Your Own Way and Manology, and nationally recognized advocate for young people, founded The Love Circle Foundation in 2015 with the mission of “creating mentorship and exposure opportunities that embolden young men and women of color to dream beyond their current reality and become better versions of themselves.”
Gibson has been advocating for young people in underserved communities since early in his career. He has acted as an ambassador and partner to organizations like Operation Hope, Communities in Schools, and UNICEF. A native of Watts, California, Gibson has been particularly committed to giving back to his own community. In partnership with the Taco Bell Foundation and Get Schooled, Gibson donated $25,000 to his alma mater, Locke High School, one of the most underserved schools in the Watts community. His contribution was critical in giving Locke students the resources necessary to graduate from high school.
The Love Circle Foundation evolved from an earlier philanthropic initiative created by Gibson, The Watts Foundation. In 2000, Gibson started The Watts Foundation with the goal of increasing direct services to the young men and women of Watts, California. The Love Circle Foundation continues this vision through its annual Walk A Mile In My Shoes community drive and I AM A MAN empowerment retreats. The Foundation plans to construct a brick-and-mortar center to serve as both a “safe space” for the community’s youth and a site for the Foundation’s mentoring and enrichment activities.
The Love Circle Foundation will be managed by its Executive Director, Samantha Gibson. A licensed social worker with a decade of experience helping the most vulnerable and disadvantaged youth in the state of Georgia, Ms. Gibson worked with the state’s juvenile system, the Department of Family and Children Services, the Rape Crisis Center, and the Suicide Prevention Coalition for Rockdale and Gwinnett Counties. Gibson has also been an active mentor and volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club, Concrete Rose, and a variety of Atlanta and Los Angeles nonprofit organizations.
Drawing from her personal struggles as a child and young adult, Samantha Gibson has developed a gift for connecting with youth, and providing them with the courage and confidence they need to be successful. She brings that same personal touch to The Love Circle Foundation, stating, “research shows that youth are proven to be more resilient when they have a supportive adult that they can trust in their corner. I am a living testament to that research, and my passion lies within wanting to be that person for someone else.”
The Love Circle Foundation will launch with a t-shirt fundraising campaign with Represent.com. The shirts have been custom designed by Gibson, and will have a limited run with all net proceeds benefitting The Love Circle Foundation. They can be purchased at www.Represent.com/Tyrese.
Information on The Love Circle Foundation can be found at the organization’s website, www.thelovecirclefoundation.org.