Led by Alicia Keys, 23 stars appear in racial-justice video

Led by Alicia Keys, 23 stars appear in racial-justice video

NEW YORK

Alicia Keys and a host of other stars, including Beyonce, Bono, Rihanna, Taraji P. Henson and Chris Rock, appear in a powerful video released Wednesday that describes “23 ways you could be killed if you are black in America.”

The video made the social media rounds after its release on Mic.com, spawning its own hashtag, 23Ways, and thousands of shares and comments. In black and white, it juxtaposes 23 artists with photos of 23 black victims of violence, with each star noting the acts that led to their deaths, mainly after interactions with the police.

Many of the deaths led to intense anger and frustration among African-Americans and kicked off protests that led to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Leo DiCaprio’s foundation announces $15.6M in grants

NEW YORK

Leonardo DiCaprio is upping the ante in his environmental philanthropy: His foundation has announced $15.6 million in grants for conservation efforts.

It’s the largest series of donations by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation . It boasts donations of more than $59 million since it was founded in 1998.

DiCaprio has lobbied world leaders about climate change, protecting wildlife and more. In a statement released Wednesday, the Oscar-winning actor said he was increasing the level of grants “to help solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.”

Beneficiaries of the grants include the Elephant Crisis Fund, the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Fund, organizations devoted to fighting climate change and groups dedicated to protecting the rights and cultures of indigenous people.

Associated Press