Chase, will.i.am team up to TRANS4M Boyle Heights

By Justin Paschal on 03/28/2012 @ 12:44 PM

This is fantastic news!

Chase and will.i.am announced today an unprecedented collaboration focused on transforming the East Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights. The partnership will focus on providing multiple social services that address Boyle Heights’ particular needs including education, jobs and job training, health, home ownership and green space.

The TRANS4M Boyle Heights collaboration is being built upon a $1 million grant from Chase to the i.am angel foundation, a charity established by will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. In addition, Chase will commit, directly and through the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, at least $7 million over the next three years to their other non-profit partners to help TRANS4M Boyle Heights.

“Boyle Heights is where it all began for me,” said will.i.am. “My foundation is focused on education, opportunity and inspiration. This gift from Chase, plus Chase’s larger commitment will help provide the community of Boyle Heights with all these things and more.”

Read the whole thing to learn more about all the exciting things we are doing together.

A Pretty Good Night

By Justin Paschal on 02/27/2012 @ 08:28 AM

The benefit concert at the Hollywood Palladium earlier this month raised an astounding $5 million.

Bringing in support from the rest of the Black Eyed Peas (excluding Fergie), Stevie Wonder (who played piano, harmonica and sang classics like “My Cherie Amor” and “Superstition.”), Ne-Yo, K’Naan, and Flo Rida, the “Trans4mation Experience” event raised $5 million for the foundation. During the performances, videos played bringing attention to students in U.S. neighborhoods, including Boyle Heights, where the rapper grew up, struggling in poor educational climates.

Looking for the Next Edison

By Justin Paschal on 02/18/2012 @ 10:06 AM

The StarCam Celebrity Blog talked up will.i.am and the work that the i.am.angel Foundation is doing for children and communities:

His foundation works to give these children and young adults the chance to brighten their futures and not just settle for their current circumstances. They raised $5 million to build a community center with programs to teach children science, mathematics, technology and even college-track courses. He wants to get them on track to graduate high school, move on to college and turn them into successful entrepreneurs.

Watch the video to hear it from the man himself.