Lena Waithe is helping to pay the bills of Instagram users during the ongoing coronavirus lockdowns in America.
During an appearance on The Late Show with James Corden on Monday, the Emmy-winning screenwriter said she’s been giving money to people on Instagram in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Waithe is giving money directly to people who need it through an app rather than donating to the political organization, since none of the hundreds of millions of dollars BLM has received in donations is going to Black communities.
The 36-year-old Chicago native says giving money to Instagram users is a “humbling” experience.
“When the cameras leave and when the dust settles, Hillman Helps will still be here,” she said, referencing her company, Hillman Grad Productions. “I’m a big believer in community, I’m a big believer in tribe.”
Waithe noted she paid out almost $50,000 from her own bank account.
“We’ve literally just been going through the Instagram and people asking us for certain amounts and they’re not asking for a lot,” she said.
“It really has been a humbling and inspiring experience for me to talk to these people and to communicate with them. We’ve been able to help some folks out and it’s been a beautiful thing.”
