Twitter co-founder and CEO, Jack Dorsey, has announced that he is donating $1 million to the Masks For The People humanitarian campaign as part of his $1 billion commitment to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
Dorsey made the announcement during a live-stream chat with campaign leaders Pastor Michael McBride and CNN host and comedian W. Kamau Bell.
“Your plan was extremely thoughtful and comprehensive, and it’s obviously touching a community that needs it. The way you thought out not just the logistics of how to buy the PPE and the protective gear for people, but also how you’re supporting them with community outreach,” Dorsey said.
The donation will help provide free personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing kits for those who are incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, violence interrupters, essential workers, and the elderly in black communities.
Sponsored by the nongovernmental organization Live Free and Black Church Action Fund, Masks for the People was launched on April 6. The campaign objective is to secure a supply chain of needed supplies like masks, sanitizers, and coronavirus test kits for urban neighbo
“Less than a week ago we pulled together an unprecedented coalition of activists, faith leaders, artists and entrepreneurs committed to securing a supply chain of PPE and preventative care for Black and Brown communities,” Pastor McBride stated. “Thanks to Dorsey’s generosity, and the generosity of others who have given, we can scale immediately and expand beyond the initial eight to 10 cities. It’s just a blessing.”
Earlier this month, the billionaire pledged to transfer $1 billion of his equity in Square, a digital payments company he also co-founded, to a new foundation that will support coronavirus relief efforts. Dorsey has also reportedly joined forces with Rihanna to contribute to a $4.2 million grant that will help domestic violence victims amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Watch the video here:
