Uncle Ben’s words to a young Spider-Man, “With great power comes great responsibility,” are simple but accurate. When someone has a platform, whether at a company, on a team, or for entertainment, they have a responsibility to use it to make the world a better place. Some people may not be able to rise to the occasion, but many have found ways to use their platforms to help others.
Here’s five celebrities who are making a positive change in the world:
Steph Curry
Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry is not only one of the best basketball players in the world, but he is also a committed philanthropist. Curry has used his platform to raise awareness for various causes, including education, poverty, and social justice. Along with his wife Ayesha, he is a co-founder of the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children in underserved communities and create educational opportunities for children in need.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish isn’t just one of the most popular musicians in the world; she’s also one of the most eco-conscious. For the last several years, Eilish has helped raise awareness about climate change and environmental sustainability. She’s partnered with organizations like REVERB and Support + Feed to make her tours more eco-friendly, and she’s also spoken out about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint. She even helped produce Overheated: A Climate Change Documentary last year to raise awareness about global disasters stemming from climate change.
Selena Gomez
After balancing her singing, acting and entrepreneurial career for more than a decade, it’s no surprise that Selena Gomez is no stranger to stress. After years of struggling with anxiety and depression, Gomez opened up about her battles, including how quitting social media helps alleviate her stress. In 2021, Gomez launched Wondermind, an online therapy resource to help others get the necessary information and tools. And in November, she released a documentary all about her mental health journey on Apple TV+, Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me, to spark conversation around helping those battling mental illness.
Tim Tebow
Through his foundation, Tim Tebow has raised millions of dollars to help rescue victims of trafficking and provide them with the support they need to rebuild their lives. Tebow is also an outspoken advocate for the cause, using his voice to raise awareness about human trafficking and its devastating effects. He has spoken out about the real impact on human trafficking victims in the media, appearing on shows like 60 Minutes and Good Morning America, while also providing millions of dollars in financial assistance to organizations that help victims of trafficking.
Tyler Perry
The award-winning actor, writer, director and producer has donated millions of dollars to charity, including $2.5 million to help older Atlanta homeowners pay back property taxes. Perry has also provided thousands of people in Atlanta with job opportunities by making the city the permanent home for Tyler Perry Studios. Through the Tyler Perry Foundation, he’s provided scholarships, grants and other assistance to people in need, and he even established the Tyler Perry Studios Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to students who want to study film and television.
