Giving Compass' Take:

· Joe McCarthy discusses The Weeknd's continuous efforts to address issues such as racial equality, global healthcare, and much more.

· How does this action encourage other celebrities and influencers to use their platforms for social change? 

· Read about how an organization used the donations from celebrities to create lasting impact.

The Weeknd’s music has evolved a lot over the years, but he’s always crooned about heartbreak, breaking hearts, and living with no heart at all.

These are conceits that he’s parlayed over various genres —  grungy R&B, bright and chiseled pop, industrial pop, and others — earning more fans and growing his global reach with each new album.

But The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, isn’t singularly insistent on matters of love outside his verses. The mysterious and irresistible songwriter has spent the past few years expanding his philanthropic pursuits and using his clout to back political issues.

Oftentimes, the 28-year-old artist’s actions speak just as loud as his words.

In 2016, he donated $250,000 to the Black Lives Matter Movement not long after he released the statement, “Enough is enough. It’s time to stand up for this. We can either sit and watch, or do something about it. The time is now. #blacklivesmatter”

Tesfaye has also supported a variety of other causes in recent years.

Read the full article about The Weeknd helping communities by Joe McCarthy at Global Citizen.