Speaker A
So I made it to Harvard. Never thought I'd be able to say that in my life.
Rihanna delivers an inspiring Harvard speech on humanitarianism, philanthropy, and the power of helping others regardless of status.
Key Takeaways
- Humanitarianism is accessible to everyone, regardless of wealth or status.
- Small acts of kindness can collectively make a significant impact.
- Personal experiences often inspire philanthropic efforts.
- Helping others should be done selflessly without expecting anything in return.
- Optimism and hope are vital for creating a better future.
Summary
- Rihanna expresses gratitude for being honored at Harvard University and reflects on her journey.
- She recalls childhood memories of wanting to help children suffering worldwide.
- Started her career at 17 and founded her first charity at 18.
- Shares personal stories of those she has helped and lost, including a young leukemia patient and her grandmother.
- Explains the mission of the Clara Lionel Foundation to impact lives starting with one person.
- Emphasizes that anyone can be a humanitarian without wealth, fame, or education.
- Challenges the audience to commit to helping one person or cause that touches their heart.
- Quotes her grandmother on sharing even a dollar as a meaningful act.
- Concludes with a call for optimism, hope, and collective responsibility.
- Recognized for her compassion, philanthropy, and music by the Harvard community.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
But it feels good.
Speaker A
Thank you Dr. Counter, thank you to the Harvard Foundation and thank you Harvard University for this great honor.
Speaker A
I'm incredibly humbled by this to be acknowledged at this magnitude for something that in truth I've never wanted credit for.
Speaker A
When I was five or six years old, I remember watching TV and I was watching other children suffer in other parts of the world.
Speaker A
And you know the commercials it is you know you could give 25 cent and save a child's life.
Speaker A
And I would think to myself like I wonder how many 25 cents I could save up to save all the kids in Africa.
Speaker A
And I was saying to myself, you know like when I grow up and I can get rich and I'm a save kids all over the world, I just didn't know it would be in the position to do that by the time I was a teenager.
Speaker A
As seventeen I started my career here in America and by the age of 18 I started my first charity organization.
Speaker A
I went on to team up with other organizations in the following years and met, helped and even lost some of the most beautiful souls.
Speaker A
From six-year-old Yasmina Amina who passed away in 2010 from Leukemia, her story inspired thousands to volunteers donors through DKMS.
Speaker A
As far to 2012 when my grandmother Clara Brathwaite, she lost her battle with cancer which is the very reason and the driving force behind the Clara Lionel Foundation.
Speaker A
We're all human.
Speaker A
And we all just want a chance, a chance at life, a chance at an education, a chance at a future really.
Speaker A
And a CLF our mission is to impact as many lives as possible but it starts with just one, just one.
Speaker A
As I stare out into this beautiful room I see optimism I see hope I see the future.
Speaker A
I know that each and every one of you has the opportunity to help someone else.
Speaker A
All you need to do is help one person expecting nothing in return.
Speaker A
To me that is a humanitarian.
Speaker A
People make it seem way too hard man.
Speaker A
The truth is and what the little girl watching those commercials didn't know is that you don't have to be rich to be a humanitarian.
Speaker A
You don't have to be rich to help somebody.
Speaker A
You don't got to be famous.
Speaker A
You don't even have to be college educated.
Speaker A
I mean.
Speaker A
I I wish I was.
Speaker A
I'm about saying.
Speaker A
You know.
Speaker A
Especially today.
Speaker A
It's true.
Speaker A
I might come back.
Speaker A
But all right.
Speaker A
You just do whatever you can to help in any way that you can.
Speaker A
And today I want to challenge each of you to make a commitment to help one person, one organization, one situation that touches your heart.
Speaker A
My grandmother always used to say if you got a dollar there's plenty to share.
Speaker A
Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker A
It was my honor.
Speaker B
Rihanna, we thank you for your compassion, your philanthropy to help others in need.
Speaker B
And your wonderful music.
Speaker B
On behalf of the children of Cambridge, I present you these flowers as a token of our appreciation.
Speaker C
Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, that now ends our program.
Speaker C
Have a nice evening.
Topics:RihannaHarvard UniversityhumanitarianismphilanthropyClara Lionel Foundationcharityinspirational speechhelping otherseducationhope
