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Critically acclaimed,
multi-award winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter John Legend
has garnered ten Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, a
Tony Award, and a Golden Globe, among others. He is also a coach on The
Voice.
From a young age, Legend aspired to use his position in
the entertainment industry as a platform for social change. In an
essay competition Legend won at age 15, he wrote of his dream to
become a star recording artist and to use his influence and
resources to give back to his community. And that is exactly what he
has done – throughout his career, Legend has committed his time,
energy, and resources to social justice and equality.
For well over a decade, John Legend's philanthropy and
advocacy has focused on building just, equitable, and thriving
communities. In 2007, Legend started The Show Me Campaign, to give
every child access to a quality education as well as address
systemic issues in our criminal justice system that
disproportionately impact the poor, minorities, and disadvantaged.
Legend launched LRNG Innovators in partnership with The
National Writing Project and support from The MacArthur Foundation.
LRNG Innovators' mission is to empower teachers to redesign
learning—connecting students’ passion to purpose— helping the
students of today be better prepared for the world of tomorrow.
Since inception, LRNG Innovators has invested in more than 30
educator teams across the country who are building tomorrow’s
education system today.
In 2014, Legend launched FREEAMERICA, a multi-year
culture change campaign focused on ending mass incarceration.
FREEAMERICA works to amplify the voices of those impacted by the
criminal justice system and those working to change it in an effort
to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and end the era of
mass incarceration.
In addition to Legend’s signature initiatives, he serves
on the Board of Directors of Harlem Village Academies and Management
Leadership for Tomorrow, and on the Advisory Board for The Quattrone
Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of
Pennsylvania Law School and Teach for All.
John graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English
with an emphasis on African-American literature at the University of
Pennsylvania.
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