Pop Icons: Three Times Rihanna Was My Accidental Development Coach (And It’s Not The One You’re Thinking of)
Last week, Rihanna reminded us all why she has a “Navy” of supporters when she took to the streets to protest against Asian American hate crimes. Rihanna not only talks that talk, she walked the walk, literally marching with her staff. Rihanna is no stranger to using her platform to raise awareness about issues that affect us all or encouraging people to take action. During the NAACP Image Awards in 2020, she famously implored potential allies to “pull up” to demonstrate their true commitment to the fight for racial justice.
Additionally, Rihanna has been a philanthropist in her own right through the Clara Lionel Foundation, a foundation she created named after her grandparents Clara and Lionel Brathwaite. The Foundation supports disaster relief, education, and racial justice. And despite the fact that she hasn’t released a new album in quite a bit, she continues to blaze trails for black women as a record-breaking business owner through her lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, and her wildly-successful makeup line, Fenty Beauty.
And although there are no current signs of an album on the horizon, there is still so much good music in Rihanna’s catalogue to enjoy. From Music of the Sun to Anti (my personal favorite), Rihanna’s music provides an anthem for everyone – including all of us fundraisers. There are times when I’ve thrown on a Rihanna song to get me pumped up for an ask or to inspire me after a long day. So, without further ado, here are three times Rihanna was my development coach.
Take a Bow – Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded
Remember during the summer of 2020 when everyone added solidarity black squares to their Instagram feeds? And you may recall all the commitments the philanthropy community made to support organizations in ways that encourage and facilitate racial justice. We’re nearly a year removed from that time and, well, just listen to the song. Something about the lyrics really resonate with me after the past year. “You put on quite a show. Really had me going…Very entertaining.” I mean, I think you see it.
I recall the first time I heard this song. It was infectious and was stuck in my head for weeks. Eventually, I realized the reason it resonated so much – the chorus described exactly how my role felt at the time. Work, work, work, work, work, work. I know the song is about something COMPLETELY different but, hey, the message applies. And that’s how it can feel when you’re striving for a deadline, going through a tough proposal, or trying to launch a campaign.
We Found Love - Talk That Talk
I really love Rihanna’s electro-pop catalogue. Although this genre is far from my favorite, for some reason I tend to like when R&B ladies take on this type of music (see Kelly Rowland’s When Love Takes Over). This song features DJ Calvin Harris, and is about finding love with an unlikely person. Well, the same can happen with a donor. Sometimes it seems like a new partnership will never come to fruition, and then suddenly magic happens. The gift comes through when you thought it couldn’t be done and everyone is feeling the love. Then, the work begins to keep the relationship going.
So here’s to Rihanna, songstress, makeup maven, fashion queen, mogul, entrepreneur, philanthropist and accidental development coach. You’re welcome.