Posted by Both ScHoolboy Q and Russ have stepped up to help black-owned small businesses damaged during riots sparked by the police killing of George Floyd.
Derrick Hayes, the owner of Dave’s Cheesesteaks in downtown Atlanta, revealed the two rappers donated money to help him rebuild the restaurant after it was damaged on Friday night (May 29). He also noted Karen Civil helped facilitate it.
“Thank you @Russ for donating 20k to help reopen & help cover employee wages, while we are closed,” Hayes wrote in an Instagram post. “I appreciate you calling me and giving me words of encouragement. My deepest appreciation @groovyq, for donating another 10k to make sure we are able to support ourselves in the upcoming months. Appreciate you @karenCivil for help facilitating and making this happen for us! RIP #georgefloyd.”
View this post on InstagramThank you @Russ for donating 20k to help reopen & help cover employee wages, while we are closed. I appreciate you calling me and giving me words of encouragement. My deepest appreciation @groovyq, for donating another 10k to make sure we are able to support ourselves in the upcoming months. Appreciate you @karenCivil for help facilitating and making this happen for us! RIP #georgefloyd
In the immediate aftermath of the business being damaged, Hayes shared a video from inside and expressed his disappointment despite the fact Dave’s is black-owned and he does a lot for the community.
“Ayo it’s a real sad day in Atlanta,” he says in the clip. “I’m black-owned, I actually help the community. I give a lot of money out. Like even during the pandemic, I gave out over $20,000 just helping hospitals and then they come back and break all my windows.”
View this post on InstagramRip #GeorgeFloyd ✊?✊? #blackownedbusiness
Russ also donated to Los Angeles-based Apt 4B Concept Shop after they shared video of people breaking open their gate then busting their windows and looting the store.
“Words can’t express how thankful we are to @russ for reaching out with words of encouragement and a more than generous donation of $25K to help us rebuild the @apt4bconceptshop,” the store’s owners wrote in a post on Tuesday (June 2). “Where we come from, something like this does not go unrecognized or forgotten.”
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Russ helped raise over $150,000 to donate to Black Lives Matter over the weekend as well after selling a shirt that read, “If You Want To Change The System Speak Up White Silence Is Pro Racism.” The shirt is available on his website and every dollar will go to BLM.
View this post on InstagramYesterday morning we received several calls from @mizzlesupervsn and @aj_crooks trying to put us in contact with someone who was working on a project to get funding for and help rebuild shops who were affected in LA. What happened next left us speechless and our hearts full. Words can’t express how thankful we are to @russ for reaching out with words of encouragement and a more than generous donation of $25K to help us rebuild the @apt4bconceptshop ✊?✊?✊?✊? Where we come from, something like this does not go unrecognized or forgotten. @karencivil we appreciate you for connecting us and & providing us with new hiphop collectibles. Your dedication and commitment to the real causes in our communities is awe-inspiring. Both of you represent real people doing real things. In a time that feels dark and hopeless, it is important that people shine light on their stories of solidarity and support. Most media outlets tend to focus on all the chaos and negativity. We refuse to let that be the only narrative. #APT4B #PeaceToOurWayOfLife | ? by @jeremiahlazo