CLF was founded in 2012 by Robyn Rihanna Fenty in honor of her grandparents Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. Photo courtesy the CLF
Global superstar Robyn Rihanna Fenty, widely known as Rihanna, is significantly expanding her philanthropic footprint in East Africa.
Her Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) is now directing substantial resources towards critical climate solutions and empowering women entrepreneurs across the region.
This strategic intensification underscores a broader commitment to areas highly vulnerable to climate change, where women are pivotal to community resilience.
Rihanna, a Barbadian singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman, has cemented her status as one of the 21st century’s most successful artists and entrepreneurs.
Beyond her numerous music accolades, she is the founder of the inclusive Fenty Beauty cosmetics line and the diverse Savage X Fenty lingerie brand.
These ventures have contributed to her immense wealth and global influence, which she now leverages for significant philanthropic impact.
CLF’s Evolving Philanthropic Footprint
The Clara Lionel Foundation, established by Rihanna in 2012 and named after her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, has evolved significantly since its inception.
Initially focused on healthcare, CLF made a foundational $1.75 million investment in modern radiotherapy equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados, a facility later renamed the Clara Braithwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine.
Today, CLF champions a “trust-based giving” model, providing unrestricted funding to local organizations.
This approach empowers local leaders to implement solutions tailored to their specific community needs, maximizing impact on the ground.
The foundation’s expanded mission now encompasses five key pillars: climate solutions, arts and culture, health access and equity, women’s entrepreneurship, and future generations.
Targeting East Africa’s Climate and Entrepreneurial Needs
East Africa faces severe impacts from climate change, with prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather patterns threatening livelihoods and communities dependent on agriculture.
CLF’s renewed focus aims to bolster resilience in these vulnerable regions.
The allocation of additional funds specifically for climate solutions in East Africa is a crucial development, reflecting a recognition of these urgent environmental challenges.
A significant aspect of CLF’s work in East Africa involves women’s entrepreneurship. The foundation acknowledges that empowering women uplifts entire communities, as women often lead efforts in climate adaptation and sustainable development.
Investing in women-led businesses and initiatives is a core strategy, encompassing small businesses and social enterprises. This dual approach aims to build both environmental and economic resilience.
To oversee these expanded efforts, CLF has brought in new leadership, including Dr. Rosanna Saladin-Subero for the Women’s Entrepreneurship team and Amina Doherty for Programs and Impact.
This new team is central to the foundation’s refreshed mission.
Jessie Schutt-Aine, CLF’s executive director, notes that the foundation reflects Rihanna’s spirit. “Our founder is a woman from a small island nation who’s got global reach.
She’s an entrepreneur. She’s a mom.
She’s a creative,” Schutt-Aine said. “So, we want an organization that reflects that spirit and that energy.”
Global Inclusion in Philanthropy
Rihanna emphasizes the foundation’s deep connection to community roots. “Today we have global reach,” she stated. ”
But that notion of love for community and our roots runs deep in the DNA of the foundation.
” This sentiment underpins CLF’s approach in East Africa, aiming to foster sustainable change led by local communities.
CLF’s commitment to “global inclusion in philanthropy” is evident in its strategy to amplify the voices of those most affected by global challenges.
This bottom-up funding approach supports local leaders who best understand their communities’ issues.
While specific East African grant recipients were not immediately detailed, the foundation’s stated intent is clear: it seeks partners on the ground to drive climate resilience and foster economic empowerment for women.
This includes initiatives that protect cultural heritage and inspire new narratives and opportunities.
The foundation’s history demonstrates a capacity for significant global impact, having distributed over $33 million in grants in 2020 alone for pandemic relief and racial justice efforts.
Rihanna has also used her platform to raise funds, notably through her “ANTI World Tour.”
The decision to prioritize East Africa is strategic. The region presents both challenges and opportunities, with high climate vulnerabilities but also dynamic women entrepreneurs driving innovation and resilience.
CLF aims to provide essential support to enable these local efforts to scale. CLF’s entry into this specific philanthropic space, with its dual focus on climate and women’s entrepreneurship, is significant, bringing a new dimension to regional development efforts.
The philanthropic landscape in East Africa is dynamic, and CLF’s strategic investment is expected to catalyze further support, highlighting the critical intersection of climate action and gender equality for a resilient and equitable future in the region.
