A Billion

Some people are born with very little; some are fortunate enough to have it all. When I grew up, we didn't have much. I had to hustle to get what I wanted... but I had that hunger for more. I didn't always make the right choices, but I learned from my mistakes. I had to overcome challenge after challenge in order to take my life from nothing to living my dreams. And I'm thankful for that because it helped mold me into who I am today. That's why I want to give back to those without, to help make a change in their lives.

Every day, families in Africa go without food and water, never knowing when their next meal might be; but we can change that if we all work together. In order to make a difference, every purchase of my new energy shot, Street King, will provide a meal for a child in need. In fact, now I'm taking things to the next level: for the next week, to get the word out about what we're doing, I'm donating one meal for every Like I receive on the Street King Facebook Page. Together, with the UN's World Food Programme and you, we're hustling to get to one million Likes and, if we do, I'm going to double my donation to two million meals.

People often say I have so much energy, that I never stop; but that's what it takes to accomplish your goals. This project is different from anything I've done before -- it's not only powered by my own energy, but the SK mission is powered by the energy of my fans. It's their energy that will provide 1 billion meals to hungry children. These days, we hear a lot about clean energy, and efficiency, but this is about human energy, energy that's fueling change.

I've connected with friends, including Usher and Justin Bieber, asking them to use their influence to help change lives. My fans have also been extremely supportive in getting the word out about Street King. The media often likes to promote the mistakes I make and downplay the good I do; but thanks to my fans, the SK movement is buzzing. If we all stand together we can make a monumental difference in the condition of so many people's lives. My goal is to provide a billion meals over five years; getting one million Likes and donating two million meals this week would be a huge start. I have no doubt that with your continued support, we can make it there. That's what energy's all about.

 

Comments

[Caryn Banker]

10:26 PM on 10/23/2011

"Liked" and shared. Good luck with this Mr. Jackson!

[bar1ed]

10:14 PM on 10/23/2011

The evolution of a Man. Great idea, I'm in!

[CMontalvo]

09:59 PM on 10/23/2011

When your up to your a--- in alligators, it may be hard to drain the swamp...but that's still where you need to get to before any progress can be made. And in Africa, that means birth control. Having just returned from 20 days in Africa, I was depressed to see the poverty and suffering. But I wouldn't donate a dime toward ANYTHING but birth control. And monetary donations to the corrupt governments are out of the question.

[John Goucho]

09:06 PM on 10/23/2011

What a horrific example of wrapping (*rapping) ones self in a flag of self-serving charity. Paul Newman made clear that he would donate every $ of profits from Newman's Own to Charity and he did. 50 Cent uses one week and a variable cost of marketing ploy to associate himself with a real need. He doesn't even have the decency to call it like it is, "I want to redo my Vitamin Water success and make more money". Give me a HUGE break.

[MochaLite]

09:58 PM on 10/23/2011

Yeah, he's one of the Rich! I say, slap an 80% income tax rate on him and on all celebrities. Redistribute their earnings to the rest of us. Come on, libs, be consistent here.

[John Goucho]

11:48 PM on 10/23/2011

Actually, I think there should be a special tax rate just for celebrities.

[LondonDavid]

07:08 PM on 10/23/2011

Having read all the spite here, let me just say something good about you, Curtis...

I've seen plenty of examples of your charitable work online over the past few months and I commend you for being the real deal; for not being in this for the publicity but instead doing what you do because you genuinely care.

Unlike those who snipe, I've actually seen you in interviews talking about these issues and I've seen you doing your part to pay back from the success and wealth you've earned. I don't like your music and I don't need to - you're a human being doing his part and may God Almighty continue to bless you all the days of your life.

"Light up the Darkness", my friend.

Pax tecum in aeternam.

Dave
http://todayfreedom.blogspot.com/

[Tabs Bianka]

06:45 PM on 10/23/2011

I have to be sceptical about what his real intentions are with this project. He is blatantly promoting a product, which obviously cost him to produce, from the cost of manufacturing, packaging, marketing, labour etc, that needs to be paid for, so for every single one of the drink bought, he'll need to deduct a percentage for its cost, meaning that what is intended for Africa is minuscule, probably even negligible. Celebrities always have an agenda, every good deed is directly related to what they stand to gain from it. It would probably be more sensible to just donate the money that was intended to make the drink and call it a day!

I'm all for helping Africa but it comes to a point when we realise that giving them meals is opposite of enabling them to provide meals for life and more importantly for THEMSELVES. Provide them with ways to generating an income and this starts with education.

[LondonDavid]

07:05 PM on 10/23/2011

I'm sorry but I'm getting a little weary of "skeptics" like you; you're not skeptical, you're plain lacking in the imagination to see beyond your nose and admit that anyone who creates change for the good of others is a righteous person who deserves the blessing of both man and God.

Did you bother to read the article? I am absolutely 10,000% certain you actually saw the words "Africa, 50 Cent" and decided immediately you were going to write some nasty little remark in the comments section.

I commend this young man for what he is doing, and I actually know enough about him to know this isn't remotely a "stunt".

People like you really should just stop talking unless you intend to match his efforts and the efforts of all the other young folk like him out there.

A lot of people will eat a meal because of this guy and his friends. Be GRATEFUL for that.

Or go donate some cash yourself.
http://todayfreedom.blogspot.com/

[Tabs Bianka]

09:04 PM on 10/23/2011

I did read the article and no where does it state that he will be donating all the money made from the drink. It says that for every one bought, a meal will be provided. Now you do the math! Plus enlisting his celebrity friends is supposed to excite us? Who, over the age of 12 would buy something just because Justin Bieber says to?

I have seen the lengths this man will go for publicity, remember the big platter with all the money that he was having for 'lunch'? Or when he filled his car trunk with money? Or when he made a big heart with money? Or playing cards on top of large piles of cash. Just Google.

Generosity is commendable in all its forms. I'm just saying that a person would benefit more if they were empowered to provide for themselves rather than accepting donations. This has been going on for decades and it is obviously not working. I recommend Dambisa Moyo's book 'Dead Aid'.

[ValdaDeDieu]

06:08 PM on 10/23/2011

That is a commendable goal, for the short-term-- in fact, I will do what I can to promote it; but in the tradition of giving a man a fish and he eats for a day, teaching a him to fish and he eats for a lifetime, have you thought of projects where assisting the Africans' in the development of their own resources, sustainable and Organic products which could help them obtain some sort of financial independence?

Daily there are new discoveries being made of African plants and other natural assets that are being co-opted by American companies which make a huge profit selling them to us, while paying the people to whom they belong, a pittance.

With your connections, the creation of some sort of think-tank, which consults with the Africans themselves, particularly the women, would be able to pin-point hidden "treasures" that can help them achieve long lasting and permanent financial and thereby cultural benefits.

[bighat]

05:57 PM on 10/23/2011

Africa is the richest continent on earth in natural resources from fertile soil to gold, oil, and diamonds. Maybe it is time for their own revolutions. We have tried to help Africa for years. Somehow I doubt the aid we send even end up with the people of which the aid is intended.

[LondonDavid]

07:12 PM on 10/23/2011

The Catholic Church is the largest provider of free food and health care on earth. It pays for it from the donations ordinary Catholics give at Mass every Sunday. If the Church were to think like you, millions would simply starve to death.

Using corruption in Africa as an excuse to not donate is beneath contempt; it's akin to saying "That kid looks like he's starving to death, but if I give him a dollar he might just use it to buy dope". You take the risk, you make your donation, someone gets to eat instead of die.

Just pick up the phone and donate 10 bucks. It'll save someone's life.

Peace.
http://todayfreedom.blogspot.com/

[Baneblade]

04:53 PM on 10/23/2011

Dear 50 Cent,

Please tell Dr. Dre to hurry up with his new album, its been 12 years.

Thank You

[shirley thomas]

02:52 PM on 10/23/2011

charity begins at home. plenty of poor folks starving right here. at least 50 is a republiican with a heart though it is on the wrong continent

[VikingQuest]

02:36 PM on 10/23/2011

These guys crack my up, 50 Cent has spent more on expensive cars and boos than most Americans make in a lifetime . . .

But I need your money to make this happen.

[bighat]

05:54 PM on 10/23/2011

Are you using logic?

[LondonDavid]

07:13 PM on 10/23/2011

How much have YOU give away?

I'm up to somewhere in the region of $90k of my own money in about 3 years now.

Care to match that?

Nah...didn't think so.

[paradoja]

01:57 PM on 10/23/2011

The comments here speak volumes of the mindset of our society here in the US. It's no wonder things are the way they are...smh Didn't think a FB like would be so tough, but...well we know why right. :-)

[Daemon Process]

06:28 PM on 10/23/2011

"we're hustling to get to one million Likes and, if we do, I'm going to double my donation to two million meals."

Sounds ok, and rather easy, hmmm... one can't melt and pour rationality on some people, it flows away to the side or something.

"The comments here speak volumes of the mindset "

It feels good to give, so you're really speaking of people who are after a fashion closed already; because it feels good to give... And the "already closed" are the most likely (can, have been, and are counted on...) to fall prey to the needed propaganda. In this country they also most likely as not practice and or profess Christianity... even though by its tenets they reside among the already damned.

Such is life, and the last time I checked any good done anywhere, not mutually exclusive, and is a good thing, even when done for the least of them.

[sunnynight]

01:06 PM on 10/23/2011

Why not to move to Africa?

[Overd0g2]

12:49 PM on 10/23/2011

This is admirable, but there is no reason Africa couldn't be a contributor to the world instead of a welfare case. They have fabulous resources.

[shbkyn]

12:41 PM on 10/23/2011

Curtis (50c), man you are to be commended, now imagine, if all the blacks join in, we will wipe out hunger in Africa, by helping to make their own food, like food processing plants, and areas where food can be grown, farm the land. It is long pass due that the blacks in America stand up for our starving people. The black churches, should join you, it is time to make a difference in Africa, our people suffers too much. It was the Africans who made this world.
Thank you Curtis 50cent Jackson.

[LondonDavid]

07:15 PM on 10/23/2011

I was with you all the way until you said "It was Africans who made this world". It wasn't, it was HUMAN BEINGS.

Bob Marley never thought along racist lines and that's why he had such a massive and powerful following.

Give up the race rhetoric, friend, we're all just living on this rock together trying to do our bit.