electricberet said:

It makes sense that he would start this tour in New York and honor local charities there, because it is called "Welcome 2 America" and so many people came to this country through New York. So I think it is a very nice thing for him to have done. It sounds like there may already be plans to take the tour to California. If so, I hope it is a success there and that he is able to do things for local charitable organizations in California as he has done in New York.

Well actually, at the press conference in October, Prince mentioned the film "Waiting for Superman" and asked those in attendance if they saw the film and encouraged us to see it. A film based on parents hoping to get their kids into some charter schools, but they had to enter into a lottery system in order for their child to get in. So only a limited amount of children were lucky to get in by that lottery system. The W2A concert series was focused on supporting "education and the arts", so when he donated to Harlem Childrens' Zone Project, that was just one of the organizations he had in mind to donate funds to from the concert series.

[Edited 2/11/11 7:12am]

Here's another article on it. Looks like some of you better start getting that Prince concert fund ready. According to this article, it looks like he plans on taking this concert series to other cities throughout the U.S.:

http://allmediany.com/det...art_id=461

Prince Donated $1.5 Million to Local Organizations During "Welcome 2 America" Tour

Prince announced a $1 million line of credit donation to the Harlem Children’s Zone and $250,000 lines of credit donation to the Uptown Dance Academy and American Ballet Theatre in New York City after the conclusion of the first leg of his “Welcome 2 America” tour at a press conference on February 7.

Lines of credit were given so that the groups can take funds as needed to develop programs while Prince can stay informed of the organizations’ needs.

“A function of our love for the next generation is instilling in them our own hard-fought knowledge,” he said. “We can't wait and see—or only hope for—the future of those coming after us. We must actively take responsibility for ensuring their success.”

The 30 students of the Harlem Children’s Zone stood onstage with the icon as President and CEO Geoffrey Canada accepted Prince’s donation.

“We are honored that Prince is teaching our kids how to dream big and to work hard to make those dreams a reality,” said Canada. “His efforts should inspire others to recognize that these kids belong to all of us, and that we all need to step forward to help them succeed.”

As the “Welcome 2 America” tour continues, Prince plans on similar donations to local educational and cultural institutions.while working with Live Nation to bring his eclectic tour to more cities throughout the country.

Alongside the seven-time Grammy winner, the New York dates also included a mix of both established and up-and-coming artists like Mint Condition, Cassandra Wilson, Sinbad, Maceo Parker, Larry Graham, Sheila E, Janelle Monáe, Esperanza Spalding, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Cee Lo Green and Lalah Hathaway. Chris Rock, Malaak Compton-Rock, Kim Kardashian and BET’s Stephen Hill also appeared onstage with Prince during the February 7 concert.

10 Feb 2011 03:26 PM

[Edited 2/11/11 7:33am]

It is about time he donates to charity. :

Thank you for taking care of the Children.

,...

[Edited 2/11/11 8:23am]

sag10 said:

It is about time he donates to charity. :

Thank you for taking care of the Children.

,...

[Edited 2/11/11 8:23am]

What do U mean its about time? Prince has always donated to charities. Its just never reported. Just like this one had to be pointed out on here and made a main topic to get noticed. People always care more about gossip and who Prince invited on stage(Kimmy) & what he is wearing then his humanitarian efforts...It was nice of Whoppi Goldberg to mention what her good friend does on The View. But people only care about how Sherri acted when he visited.

Cool beans dude!

well that's one way to not run into tax problems next year

Here's an article that has a pic (below) of Geoffrey Canada, and the kids from the Harlem Children's Zone on stage at the special ceremony held, before the MSG concert on 2/7/11, accepting the donation, that was awarded by Prince.

Prince Donates $1 Million to Harlem Children’s Zone

Jessica C. Andrews Feb 8, 2011 filled under entertainment, Harlem Children's Zone, Madison Square Garden, Misty Copeland, Prince, The American Ballet Theatre, The Uptown Dance Academy, Welcome 2 America Tour Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here ...this post.

[Edited 2/11/11 20:04pm]

I'm a very strong believer in education! That is the best charity he could choose! Good for him.

If a person can read and write, have acces to every book of interest and internet (so no governmental censorship or influence on news recources), the possibilities of growth are limitless.

Obviously only after meeting basic needs of food and shelter, and don't have to stress about surviving 24/7.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

sag10 said:

It is about time he donates to charity. :

Thank you for taking care of the Children.

,...

[Edited 2/11/11 8:23am]

What do U mean its about time? Prince has always donated to charities. Its just never reported. Just like this one had to be pointed out on here and made a main topic to get noticed. People always care more about gossip and who Prince invited on stage(Kimmy) & what he is wearing then his humanitarian efforts...It was nice of Whoppi Goldberg to mention what her good friend does on The View. But people only care about how Sherri acted when he visited.

I know, right? Some people are so uninformed. I wish people would acquire more knowledge before they spout off negativity on here. Prince has been a philanthropist for decades - even before it became the in thing for celebs. Remember the food drives during the PR tour? I remember back in the day the money and benefit shows he donated to Marva Collins' school here in Chicago. That is another thing I love, his investment in the education of black children. That has been ongoing, as the donation to HCZ reflects. I remember when I saw him in MPLS for the 7/7/07 concerts that there was a write up in the local paper about a school he donated to along with providing tickets for some of the students to attend the show at the Target Center.

He has had Love 4 One Another for years, and it has donated so much during that time - money, food, clothing, etc. Heck, the last time I was at PP they had a clothing and hat drive, my friends and I went up the street to Target and bought a bunch of stuff and dropped it off before we entered the show. Like I said, folks need to research before they type.

why can't the worldwide press ever concentrate on stuff like this with entertainment stories concerning prince? if i knew someone in the press i'd love to bring this to their attention, a feel good story actually promoting prince's true spirit as opposed to the one that is so often portrayed. what a gent doing all of this as low key as possible. this is true charity not the overblown public spectacle most celebrity's engage in now. good for you prince. you make me proud to be a fan (/fam!)

Based on this article it clearly shows the generosity Prince has when it involves "giving back", but it's unfortunate that these types of stories about him, don't receive as much attention from or within the media, as well as, among many of his fans.

[Edited 2/11/11 19:36pm]

2elijah said:

I found a more extensive article on this; great article:

Prince Awards $1.5 Million to Harlem Children’s Zone and other Non Profit Organizations

• Posted by TheBlackList on February 9, 2011 at 9:57am
• View TheBlackList's blog

http://theblacklistpub.ni...million-to

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson ~

Prince wound up his Welcome 2 America Tour at Madison Square Garden, not only with a bang, but with a whammy, as he used his time and fame to recognize locally community based non profit organizations for their valuable work in their respective neighborhoods. The recipients of his beneficence were: The Uptown Dance Academy, The American Ballet Theatre, and the Harlem Children’s Zone.

Ms. Robin Williams Executive Artistic Director of the Uptown Dance Academy, and Ms. Rachel Moore, of the American Ballet Theatre, each received a credit line in the amount of $250,000. It should also be noted, that Prince featured Misty Copeland, one of the premiere soloist ballerinas with the American Ballet Theatre, at one of his Welcome 2 America concerts.

Harlem Childrens’ Zone Founder, President and CEO Geoffrey Canada received a line of credit in the amount of $One Million Dollars - an unprecedented donation for the organization, or for any community based educational facility from one donor thus far. But it goes without saying that Mr. Canada is more than deserving of the funds, for his tireless efforts in providing quality education to more than 11,000 youth in the inner city of Harlem and the surrounding areas.

But more to the heart of the matter, and I do mean “heart” is the level of generosity on the part of the donor, Prince, who selected these organizations himself after doing his own research. It is stated that he initially learned of Canada’s great works through his friend, Tavis Smiley, and decided to do some further investigation. Further affirmation of his continued alliance and support with the concerns and needs of the community, is that he followed through and contacted Canada personally.

Instead of issuing checks, however, Prince opened up lines of credit for each organization so they can withdraw funds as needed for upcoming projects, and so he could remain tied in and involved with their future progress.

Syndicated columnist, Harriette Cole, formerly of Essence and Ebony Magazines, did the honors as mistress of ceremonies, at the Madison Square Garden Press Conference, presenting the gigantic check replicas to each of the recipients.

In speaking on behalf of the mega-super star, Ms. Cole stated, “Prince is absolutely passionate about young people; passionate about the arts;” “he’s passionate about ensuring that our children have an education and an opportunity to express themselves.”

Geoffrey Canada upon acceptance of the generous donation: “I got a call from Prince, and he said, “I want to be helpful”. And it was just him and I - there was one else there, and he said that he felt that all us must be invested in America’s children. I was happy just to have the meeting; I didn’t know that Prince was going to come forward with a million dollars in support for my organization.”

Mr. Canada went on to say that having been involved in providing quality educational programs for youth for 28 years, “This is the first time in my life that someone from the music industry, one of the great artists - you know I love Prince; and I’ve loved Prince for a long time - that someone has called and said ‘let me help you; and let me financially figure out how I can support you. So let me say thank you to Prince, I am touched - I am blown away - by his generosity. This is unprecedented in my lifetime for an artist to come forward and say, ‘Let me invest in Americas children.’”


Ms. Cole announce that an impromptu charitable auction, being launched by Prince, would auction off one of his famous gold guitars. The guitar was played on day one of the tour at the Izod Center in Rutherford, NJ. The event which took place following the Monday evening concert, took place at an after party held in a nearby venue. She stated that Spike Lee intended to bid on the guitar, whose minimum bid was set at $1 million. The proceeds of the funds are to go to assist in Prince’s mission to continue paying it forward by helping other locally based organizations in cities throughout the United States.

Again, according to Ms. Cole, “He’s not just dropping the money and moving on; he’s intends to continually remain involved. He will also be working with the organizations to ensure that they continue to get the support they deserve.”

While he does receive recommendations about choices from people in different communities, Prince is largely doing his own research, homework, and selection of the recipients. He is integrally involved from beginning to end. In other words, this is hands on and personal for him.

While many of the media were clearly disappointed that he did not personally do the presentations himself, the most important part - that of having actually made the donations available - was his main concern.

In addition to the line of credit, Prince had selected from among students at the Harlem Children’s Zone, those who were interested in being involved in the music industry on level or another. He provided them an opportunity to work side by side with his staff, musicians and artists, to get some hands on experience in learning the ropes - talk about an OJT (on the job training) opportunity! Again reflective of his genuine concern and involvement in issues in the community. The Brother does not operate from remote control.

The first six Welcome 2 America Concerts are only the beginning, according to Ms. Cole. “He will be traveling all over the United States looking for organizations that support our young people, and is creating the Prince New Power Generation Lines of Credit.”

It should be noted, however, that this is not the first time Prince has made it a mission to be of service. This writer remembers when, in the 1990’s, Fisk University, an historically Black College, once attended by W.E.B. duBois, was on the brink of bankruptcy, with all the electricity and lights turned off on campus; and students facing being sent home because lack of funding, it was Prince who gave the college $90,000+ to help them in the climb to solvency. He did it without fanfare, without a press conference; without papparazzi. The fact that he’s continuing in his bent to share the wealth speaks volumes for the heart of this brother.

In speaking with Canada after the presentation, we harkened back to the humble beginnings of the Harlem Children’s Zone when it was originally located on West 144th Street, between Frederick Douglass (8th Ave) and Adam Clayton Powell (7th Ave.) Avenues in Harlem. Even then he was setting records and raising the bar on education for inner city school children.

“We’ve been blessed. We’ve focused on saving kids, and have focused since I started here in 1983, and it’s still my main focus today. I built a terrific team of men and women who are committed to this work. I think it’s been focused and disciplined around this effort, and we’ve been really focused on outcomes. And this is about not saying we’re doing a good job, but showing the work, and how many kids are doing better. As we went from 500 kids to a thousand, to 5,000, it shocked people when we had proved that our methods worked.”

With some 11,000 kids currently in their program, Canada has 20 different program sites throughout Harlem and Manhattan Valley. Now with Prince’s recognition, and his first million, the prospect of Prince doing more for the Harlem Children’s Zone in the future, Canada stated: “You know this is the first time I had an artist come and say ’let me help.’ I did not call him, did not know how to reach him in any case. He called and it’s sort of overwhelming that this is something that he cares so passionately about that he wanted to do this. I had no idea what he wanted to do. He said, ’I’m going to see if I can be helpful.’ And I thought, that’s great. I thought that maybe he’d come and take some pictures with us at the Zone. I had no idea he was going to put so much money where his heart is in terms of this work. The reaction on the part of the kids when they think a million dollars, it’s just beginning to sink in. It’s great for them, though, because every kid who looks up to people in the music industry, the movie industry, always wants to know “do they care about me?” That’s not money for me, that’s money for them. And they understand that here’s this wonderful artist has decided this is something he wants to do for them. It’s just great.”

Canada says Prince has never been to Harlem Children’s Zone. “We’ve talked a number of times, but he’s not had the opportunity to come up and visit. Since we talked he’s been touring.”

The Harlem Children’s Zone, which is located at 125th Street and Madison Avenue, is a magnificent organization. Canada hopes to leave a lasting impression in the Harlem Community that we care about our kids. They’re number one for us. We have a bunch of kids involved in education and youth development; and I think that’s going to be terrific.”

Canada, who was accompanied by his wife, and son, Geoffrey, Jr., and some 30 youth from the Harlem Children’s Zone, got an additional treat as Prince, who did not personally do the presentation of the checks, showed up shortly after the press conference for an on-stage sound check and spent some time talking with him and the students. They were further entertained as he rifted through some of the songs he would be performing at the Garden later that evening. Wearing a royal blue jump suit, with white calf-high fur boots, with see-through soles, and a white knit cap, he had youth and adults alike rocking as he tuned up, then played his guitar.

I heard one student say, “Hey Money, he’s the whole package!” Which is a fitting way to end this article. Prince is definitely the whole package - the epitome of showmanship, soul and heart - a wonderful, generous, fabulous heart!!.

Based on this article it clearly shows the generosity Prince has when it comes "giving back", but it's unfortunate that these types of stories about him, don't get as much attention from or within the media or among many of his fans.

[Edited 2/11/11 14:03pm]

This is incredible!!! It almost puts tears in my eyes. He has put so much hope in these kids....

Why didn't this get more attention from the press than that Kim Kardashian incident.

2elijah said:

I found a more extensive article on this; great article:

Terrific article, thanks for finding/posting it!

Serena said:

2elijah said:

I found a more extensive article on this; great article:

Terrific article, thanks for finding/posting it!

You're welcome. This definitely deserves to be front page news.

[Edited 2/11/11 20:01pm]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

2elijah said:

I found a more extensive article on this; great article:

Based on this article it clearly shows the generosity Prince has when it comes "giving back", but it's unfortunate that these types of stories about him, don't get as much attention from or within the media or among many of his fans.

[Edited 2/11/11 14:03pm]

This is incredible!!! It almost puts tears in my eyes. He has put so much hope in these kids....

Agree, great article.

Is there any information on organizations world wide that Prince donates to? Since he spends so much time away from the United States. Just a quick question, don't feel like looking it up, so if you know, just reply... if not, no smart answers, please

Pics and another article on this from Music2Nite :

Prince Generously Donates $1.5 Million

http://music2nite.blogspo...llion.html

Before the last show of his "Welcome 2 America" tour last Monday, Prince donated $1 Million to the Harlem Children's Zone and $250,000 each to The Uptown Dance Academy and The American Ballet Theatre. Ballerina Misty Copeland, who recently featured in Prince's tour during the "Beautiful Ones" was one of the recipients present at the press conference. With this donation, Prince's goal is to pave the way for the next generation to embrace the arts and achieve greatness. He also donated his solid gold Fender Custom Stratocaster guitar which he played with during the "Welcome 2 America" tour. The proceeds of the auction went to the Harlem Children's Zone.

(Click on above link to read more)

Pics from Music2Nite article:

The happy faces of the recipients:

[Edited 2/12/11 10:17am]

Illuminations said:

Is there any information on organizations world wide that Prince donates to? Since he spends so much time away from the United States. Just a quick question, don't feel like looking it up, so if you know, just reply... if not, no smart answers, please

I don't know about any worldwide organizations he's contributed to, I'm sure some longtime fans here may have that type of information if any. He's pretty low-keyed on these matters it seems. I know he had the Love 4 One Another Charity during the 90s. Also, according to an article I posted in reply #70 on this thread, he's made a donation of "$90,000+" to Fisk University, a historically Black College, that was on the "brink of bankruptcy," back in the 90s and also donated to the Marva Colllins School in Chicago. I've heard, not sure if it's true, that he also helped to fund Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" movie.

[Edited 2/12/11 18:33pm]

bellanoche said:

I know, right? Some people are so uninformed. I wish people would acquire more knowledge before they spout off negativity on here. Prince has been a philanthropist for decades - even before it became the in thing for celebs. Remember the food drives during the PR tour? I remember back in the day the money and benefit shows he donated to Marva Collins' school here in Chicago. That is another thing I love, his investment in the education of black children. That has been ongoing, as the donation to HCZ reflects. I remember when I saw him in MPLS for the 7/7/07 concerts that there was a write up in the local paper about a school he donated to along with providing tickets for some of the students to attend the show at the Target Center.

He has had Love 4 One Another for years, and it has donated so much during that time - money, food, clothing, etc. Heck, the last time I was at PP they had a clothing and hat drive, my friends and I went up the street to Target and bought a bunch of stuff and dropped it off before we entered the show. Like I said, folks need to research before they type.

yes indeed... we need to invest in our children, because who else will... i must say, this is one of many reasons artists like prince and michael have endured, because they give with their spirits. they remember that all of what they do is larger than themselves. they use their art to further communities. reportage about michael's 'sense of charity' was lacking as well, so i'm not surprised that it would be for prince. it was only after his transcendence, where major media would speak of michael's donations to various organizations and community efforts. it's most noted that he donated all of the money he made from the victory and dangerous tours, in particular, to various organisations. he did things like that all throughout his life. remember, it's all bigger than what we do.

My deepest respect for this generous donation

How noble !!

2elijah said:

Like the way the checks are made

2elijah said:

I found a more extensive article on this; great article:

Prince Awards $1.5 Million to Harlem Children’s Zone and other Non Profit Organizations

• Posted by TheBlackList on February 9, 2011 at 9:57am
• View TheBlackList's blog

http://theblacklistpub.ni...million-to

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson ~

Prince wound up his Welcome 2 America Tour at Madison Square Garden, not only with a bang, but with a whammy, as he used his time and fame to recognize locally community based non profit organizations for their valuable work in their respective neighborhoods. The recipients of his beneficence were: The Uptown Dance Academy, The American Ballet Theatre, and the Harlem Children’s Zone.

Ms. Robin Williams Executive Artistic Director of the Uptown Dance Academy, and Ms. Rachel Moore, of the American Ballet Theatre, each received a credit line in the amount of $250,000. It should also be noted, that Prince featured Misty Copeland, one of the premiere soloist ballerinas with the American Ballet Theatre, at one of his Welcome 2 America concerts.

Harlem Childrens’ Zone Founder, President and CEO Geoffrey Canada received a line of credit in the amount of $One Million Dollars - an unprecedented donation for the organization, or for any community based educational facility from one donor thus far. But it goes without saying that Mr. Canada is more than deserving of the funds, for his tireless efforts in providing quality education to more than 11,000 youth in the inner city of Harlem and the surrounding areas.

But more to the heart of the matter, and I do mean “heart” is the level of generosity on the part of the donor, Prince, who selected these organizations himself after doing his own research. It is stated that he initially learned of Canada’s great works through his friend, Tavis Smiley, and decided to do some further investigation. Further affirmation of his continued alliance and support with the concerns and needs of the community, is that he followed through and contacted Canada personally.

Instead of issuing checks, however, Prince opened up lines of credit for each organization so they can withdraw funds as needed for upcoming projects, and so he could remain tied in and involved with their future progress.

Syndicated columnist, Harriette Cole, formerly of Essence and Ebony Magazines, did the honors as mistress of ceremonies, at the Madison Square Garden Press Conference, presenting the gigantic check replicas to each of the recipients.

In speaking on behalf of the mega-super star, Ms. Cole stated, “Prince is absolutely passionate about young people; passionate about the arts;” “he’s passionate about ensuring that our children have an education and an opportunity to express themselves.”

Geoffrey Canada upon acceptance of the generous donation: “I got a call from Prince, and he said, “I want to be helpful”. And it was just him and I - there was one else there, and he said that he felt that all us must be invested in America’s children. I was happy just to have the meeting; I didn’t know that Prince was going to come forward with a million dollars in support for my organization.”

Mr. Canada went on to say that having been involved in providing quality educational programs for youth for 28 years, “This is the first time in my life that someone from the music industry, one of the great artists - you know I love Prince; and I’ve loved Prince for a long time - that someone has called and said ‘let me help you; and let me financially figure out how I can support you. So let me say thank you to Prince, I am touched - I am blown away - by his generosity. This is unprecedented in my lifetime for an artist to come forward and say, ‘Let me invest in Americas children.’”


Ms. Cole announce that an impromptu charitable auction, being launched by Prince, would auction off one of his famous gold guitars. The guitar was played on day one of the tour at the Izod Center in Rutherford, NJ. The event which took place following the Monday evening concert, took place at an after party held in a nearby venue. She stated that Spike Lee intended to bid on the guitar, whose minimum bid was set at $1 million. The proceeds of the funds are to go to assist in Prince’s mission to continue paying it forward by helping other locally based organizations in cities throughout the United States.

Again, according to Ms. Cole, “He’s not just dropping the money and moving on; he’s intends to continually remain involved. He will also be working with the organizations to ensure that they continue to get the support they deserve.”

While he does receive recommendations about choices from people in different communities, Prince is largely doing his own research, homework, and selection of the recipients. He is integrally involved from beginning to end. In other words, this is hands on and personal for him.

While many of the media were clearly disappointed that he did not personally do the presentations himself, the most important part - that of having actually made the donations available - was his main concern.

In addition to the line of credit, Prince had selected from among students at the Harlem Children’s Zone, those who were interested in being involved in the music industry on level or another. He provided them an opportunity to work side by side with his staff, musicians and artists, to get some hands on experience in learning the ropes - talk about an OJT (on the job training) opportunity! Again reflective of his genuine concern and involvement in issues in the community. The Brother does not operate from remote control.

The first six Welcome 2 America Concerts are only the beginning, according to Ms. Cole. “He will be traveling all over the United States looking for organizations that support our young people, and is creating the Prince New Power Generation Lines of Credit.”

It should be noted, however, that this is not the first time Prince has made it a mission to be of service. This writer remembers when, in the 1990’s, Fisk University, an historically Black College, once attended by W.E.B. duBois, was on the brink of bankruptcy, with all the electricity and lights turned off on campus; and students facing being sent home because lack of funding, it was Prince who gave the college $90,000+ to help them in the climb to solvency. He did it without fanfare, without a press conference; without papparazzi. The fact that he’s continuing in his bent to share the wealth speaks volumes for the heart of this brother.

In speaking with Canada after the presentation, we harkened back to the humble beginnings of the Harlem Children’s Zone when it was originally located on West 144th Street, between Frederick Douglass (8th Ave) and Adam Clayton Powell (7th Ave.) Avenues in Harlem. Even then he was setting records and raising the bar on education for inner city school children.

“We’ve been blessed. We’ve focused on saving kids, and have focused since I started here in 1983, and it’s still my main focus today. I built a terrific team of men and women who are committed to this work. I think it’s been focused and disciplined around this effort, and we’ve been really focused on outcomes. And this is about not saying we’re doing a good job, but showing the work, and how many kids are doing better. As we went from 500 kids to a thousand, to 5,000, it shocked people when we had proved that our methods worked.”

With some 11,000 kids currently in their program, Canada has 20 different program sites throughout Harlem and Manhattan Valley. Now with Prince’s recognition, and his first million, the prospect of Prince doing more for the Harlem Children’s Zone in the future, Canada stated: “You know this is the first time I had an artist come and say ’let me help.’ I did not call him, did not know how to reach him in any case. He called and it’s sort of overwhelming that this is something that he cares so passionately about that he wanted to do this. I had no idea what he wanted to do. He said, ’I’m going to see if I can be helpful.’ And I thought, that’s great. I thought that maybe he’d come and take some pictures with us at the Zone. I had no idea he was going to put so much money where his heart is in terms of this work. The reaction on the part of the kids when they think a million dollars, it’s just beginning to sink in. It’s great for them, though, because every kid who looks up to people in the music industry, the movie industry, always wants to know “do they care about me?” That’s not money for me, that’s money for them. And they understand that here’s this wonderful artist has decided this is something he wants to do for them. It’s just great.”

Canada says Prince has never been to Harlem Children’s Zone. “We’ve talked a number of times, but he’s not had the opportunity to come up and visit. Since we talked he’s been touring.”

The Harlem Children’s Zone, which is located at 125th Street and Madison Avenue, is a magnificent organization. Canada hopes to leave a lasting impression in the Harlem Community that we care about our kids. They’re number one for us. We have a bunch of kids involved in education and youth development; and I think that’s going to be terrific.”

Canada, who was accompanied by his wife, and son, Geoffrey, Jr., and some 30 youth from the Harlem Children’s Zone, got an additional treat as Prince, who did not personally do the presentation of the checks, showed up shortly after the press conference for an on-stage sound check and spent some time talking with him and the students. They were further entertained as he rifted through some of the songs he would be performing at the Garden later that evening. Wearing a royal blue jump suit, with white calf-high fur boots, with see-through soles, and a white knit cap, he had youth and adults alike rocking as he tuned up, then played his guitar.

I heard one student say, “Hey Money, he’s the whole package!” Which is a fitting way to end this article. Prince is definitely the whole package - the epitome of showmanship, soul and heart - a wonderful, generous, fabulous heart!!.

Based on this article it clearly shows the generosity Prince has when it involves "giving back", but it's unfortunate that these types of stories about him, don't receive as much attention from or within the media, as well as, among many of his fans.

[Edited 2/11/11 19:36pm]

Positively heart warming to read these articles. Prince certainly chose a great way to start the year by carrying on his tradition of investing in educating young people.

i'm so glad to see him doing charitable things. he could use his influence to raise really big money, artists would fall over themselves to help him with a project

babynoz said:

2elijah said:

I found a more extensive article on this; great article:

Based on this article it clearly shows the generosity Prince has when it involves "giving back", but it's unfortunate that these types of stories about him, don't receive as much attention from or within the media, as well as, among many of his fans.

Positively heart warming to read these articles. Prince certainly chose a great way to start the year by carrying on his tradition of investing in educating young people.

thank U babynoz, another one of Princes' strong points

DoffieParker said:

i'm so glad to see him doing charitable things. he could use his influence to raise really big money, artists would fall over themselves to help him with a project

Maybe more artists will follow in his path, share the wealth and "give back".

2elijah said:

DoffieParker said:

i'm so glad to see him doing charitable things. he could use his influence to raise really big money, artists would fall over themselves to help him with a project

Maybe more artists will follow in his path, share the wealth and "give back".

he could help that happen on a huge scale

DoffieParker said:

i'm so glad to see him doing charitable things. he could use his influence to raise really big money, artists would fall over themselves to help him with a project

Beautiful

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

2elijah said:

Like the way the checks are made

classy