Most stars launch their charity initiatives after they get famous. But not Ludacris. Even before he became a household name, the multi-award winning rapper and actor committed to launch “The Ludacris Foundation” in 2001. Fast forward to more than 10 years later, Ludacris is now an icon and inspiration for youth around the world. Tempo checked in with Ludacris and his mom and President of the Ludacris Foundation, Roberta Shields to learn more…
TEMPO: What do you think about Abu Dhabi?
Ludacris: I love Abu Dhabi – we’ve definitely been here a couple of times for Furious 7 and other movies and everybody welcomed me with open arms, so thank you guys for making me feel like family.
TEMPO: Is your foundation focused on the US, or do you see The Ludacris foundation branching out?
Roberta: Our home is the US so we do most of our things there – but with Ludacris here, music takes him to a global platform and so we aim to reach out to people across the globe. Whether we’re able to see the people personally or to get our message out there… with the internet and social media being our voice – we’re able to uplift and share what we’re doing.
We’re happy that we have our fans and people who support our cause from across the globe and I see us as developing in a leadership area providing the growth and inspiration and platform for young talent to be discovered. So like “who are the next Steve Jobs and world icons?” Come from here!
Ludacris: We do work with my foundation all throughout the world so it’s only right that we take it outside from the land where I live and bring it halfway across the world, and it’s like…. cause there are so many people here that want to help out and help us to give out to different regions like Africa and the Middle East so it was a great idea.
TEMPO: What is the most important value youth must embrace in order to make a change in the world?
Roberta: It’s to have discipline and to understand that you have to work for what you want. And then when you achieve much, you should be giving back to others as well. Among all these, discipline is the core for success – for anyone who is successful, it didn’t come easy.
TEMPO: What’s your message to those who have yet to support your cause?
Roberta: Whether you give back to The Ludacris Foundation or to a charity of your choice, I would just say give from your heart and do give.
Ludacris: Digital media and broadcast is the future. That’s the way to reach people nowadays. We have a global mental strategy intended not just for our own country…we are able to help out other countries as well because with great power comes great responsibility and the more popular I become the more I want to reach out and go worldwide.
{gallery}Ludacris- December 2015{/gallery}
