Famous Black Philanthropists

Grammy-nominated Ghanaian musician Livingstone Etse Satekla is better known by his pseudonym Stonebwoy. A master of reggae and dance hall music in Africa, he began his career with hits such as Climax and Ghetto Love. He also became the first Ghanaian artist to find a place on a Billboard chart.

Ghanaian actress, model and film-producer Yvonne Nelson chanced upon acting with the film Princess Tyra. Over the years, she has produced and starred in several movies, most-notably the Ghanaian-Nigerian comedy House of Gold that bagged many awards at 2013 Zulu African Film Academy Awards. She founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation and is noted for her charity-work in fighting glaucoma.

Born in Uganda, Ivan Semwanga turned into a wealthy socialite after moving to South Africa, where he helped the affluent as a ritualist. He established several branches of the Brooklyn College in South Africa and was also a prominent philanthropist. He was also known as the God-father of the rich gang.

Zinash Tayachew is an Ethiopian politician, gospel singer, and philanthropist. She is currently serving as the First Lady of Ethiopia. As the First Lady, Tayachew is committed towards alleviating the difficulties faced by children in Ethiopia. Zinash Tayachew also works for the disabled.  

Canadian-born-Ghanaian businessperson and philanthropist Menaye Donkor became Miss Universe Ghana in 2004. She founded Menaye Charity Organization which works for underprivileged women and children, and also funds for Menaye School of Hope that she adopted. Her luxury Italian brand SHE-Y donates a part of its profit to Menaye Charity Organization. Menaye was named Nkosuohemaa or Development Queen of Agona Asafo.    

Ghanaian rapper, song-writer, anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician, record producer and entrepreneur D-Black is known for spawning award winning songs like Get On the Dancefloor, Vera and Seihor. He serves as CEO of the record label Black Avenue Muzik and the events management company Livewire Events. Other ventures of D-Black include the Black Avenue Clothing line and Black Avenue Films/TV.

Liberian-born-Ghanaian singer-songwriter Irene Logan gained-attention after winning maiden edition of Stars of the Future in 2006. Moving on, she garnered great success, both as a solo artist spawning hit songs like Runaway and Kabila; and as part of music-duo Irene and Jane with singles like heated up and baby. She is presently a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.