Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell is giving back to the Baltimore community in a major way through a new partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation.

Today, theGrio shares the foundation announced its support of the NFL player’s CLLCTIVLY COVID-19 Baltimore Micro-Grant Fund — a campaign launched to offer financial assistance to Black-owned businesses in the city that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

According to theGrio, alongside its long-standing commitment to expanding equity and economic opportunity for low-wage families and communities of color, The Rockefeller Foundation has pledged $75,000 to support the grant program in addition to Campbell’s $125,000 for the Charles Richard Campbell Foundation.

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“Black-owned businesses are the backbone of the Baltimore community and provide many essential services that are valued by all of us who are rooting for the success of Charm City,” Campbell told them. “Unfortunately, these Black businesses have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic putting their survival at risk. By partnering with Rockefeller Foundation and CLLCTIVLY, it is my hope that we can not only provide financial relief, but also draw attention to and celebrate these business owners and what their institutions bring to the city of Baltimore.”

In regards to the economy’s effect on Baltimore’s local Black-owned businesses, Otis Rolley III — Senior Vice President of The Rockefeller’s U.S. Equity and Economic Opportunity Initiative — told theGrio: “When Black-led organizations serving Baltimore’s Black community are needed most, they too are vulnerable to economic collapse and we take great pride in working to support these community leaders.”

Campbell’s grant fund for these local businesses will be of greater help with the financial support of The Rockefeller Center and ensure they get access to the resources they need to recover at this time.

Back in 2010, Campbell and his family founded the CRC Foundation in an effort to enhance Black communities by teaching critical life skills to assist with the development of young people.

Campbell continues to be a humanitarian leader and vessel to help strengthen these Black-led organizations and businesses so they can further serve the Baltimore community.

Calais Campbell

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