Turns out French Montana is a champion for charitable causes due to his humanitarian efforts in Africa. He was recently honored with the 2022 Innovator Award at the annual Pencils of Promise Gala on Oct. 20 in New York.
Founded in 2008, Pencils of Promise is a nonprofit organization that builds schools in the developing world as well as other charitable actions.
The 37-year-old Moroccan rapper was honored for his years of efforts in raising money for health care in Africa, including funds for the Budondo Suubi “Hope” Health Center in Uganda.
African For Africa
“MAKING MORE HISTORY FOR MY PEOPLE!” French, whose real name is Karim Kharbouch and has a net worth of about $22 million, wrote on Instagram.
He continued, “Thank you @pencilsofpromise for honoring me with the Innovator Award at last night’s gala. Healthcare and education is a fundamental part of our human rights and should be accessible across the globe. I’m grateful for PoP acknowledging my work in maternal healthcare in Africa. PoP is doing groundbreaking work globally to keep kids in school and make sure they have a safe environment to learn.”
History of Humanitarian Efforts
French’s humanitarian efforts started back in 2017 when he traveled to Uganda to film his music video for the song “Unforgettable” featuring the Ugandan group Ghetto Kids. After seeing the terrible health care conditions women and children face in the East African country, the rapper felt compelled to do something about it.
He also donated $100,000 to the Mama Hope Foundation in 2017. The foundation helped build a hospital that specifically for pregnant women. Montana’s donation was matched by The Weeknd and Diddy.
In 2015, Montana, who was signed to Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, donated a Christmas bonus from Diddy to charity. Diddy gifted French Montana with a $1 million check as a Christmas bonus. Montana re-gifted the check and donated to schools in the Bronx, New York, according to TMZ. He also gifted 100 pairs of Reebok sneakers to school students in the Bronx, where Montana grew up after his family emigrated from Morocco.
