Russ and designer KidSuper have raised half a million dollars to donate to black businesses. In a post to Instagram on Monday (July 13), Russ revealed a $500,000 donation to ten black-owned grassroot organizations.
“With the help the amazing fans me and @kidsuper were able to donate $500,000 dollars today across 10 different organizations,” Russ wrote. “Kinda speechless tbh, y’all are awesome lol hope this inspires other artists and people to help however they can. Love.”
The money came through fans’ purchases KidSuper-designed shirts and masks that read, “If You Want To Change The System Speak Up White Silence Is Pro Racism.” Russ first put the shirt up for sale on May 30, following the May 25 police killing George Floyd. With a promise to donate all proceeds, the shirt brought in $10,000 and within 24 hours, he’d made over $150,000. Now less than two months later, they hit the $500,000 mark.
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In addition to selling merchandise, Russ has also helped repair small black-owned businesses that were damaged during the George Floyd riots. Along with ScHoolboy Q, the New Jersey-bred artist donated thousands dollars to help Derrick Hayes and his Dave’s Cheesesteaks restaurant in downtown Atlanta.
Russ also donated towards repairs the Los Angeles-based Apt 4B Concept Shop.