User:Razr Nation/Born This Way Foundation

Born This Way Foundation
Founded2011
FounderLady Gaga, Cynthia Germanotta
Websitebornthiswayfoundation.org

The Born This Way Foundation is a United States-based non-profit organization founded by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta and named after her 2011 album Born This Way. The mission of the organization is to encourage individuality and self-expression among young people by creating safer communities to support them. The Born This Way Foundation has 3 pillars to achieve this goal:

  1. Safety - creating safe places to celebrate individuality and supporting them with an online community
  2. Skills - teaching advocacy, the promotion of civic-engagement, and the encouragement of self-expression to empower
  3. Opportunity - providing the means to have an impact on local communities[1]

History

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The organization was founded in 2011 and formally launched in 2012 by artist Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, who said "challenge meanness and cruelty by inspiring young people to create a support system in their respective communities."[2][3][4] At the inauguration media proprietor Oprah Winfrey, writer Deepak Chopra, and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius delivered speeches.[5][6]

The Foundation's original funding included $1.2 million from Lady Gaga, $500,000 from the MacArthur Foundation, and $850,000 from Barney's New York.[7]

From 28 March to 11 April 2012 the BTWF ran a poster campaign "to inspire bravery" and encouraging supporters to submit images that answer the question "What does bravery mean to you?" with the 10 semifinalists selected by Lady Gaga and her mother and leading to a prize for the winner(s), selected by fans.[8][9]

Lady Gaga announced in May 2012 that the "Born Brave Bus" would follow her on tour as a youth drop-in centre as an initiative against bullying.[10][11] June 2012 saw the launch of the "Born Brave" community and school groups.[12]

Partners

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The Born This Way Foundation works in partnership with the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, the MacArthur Foundation and The California Endowment.[13]

In Q2 2012 global media giant Viacom was announced as the lead media partner of the Born This Way Foundation for the development of events, programming and "opportunities that empower young people to build a braver, kinder world"

"Viacom is proud to stand with Lady Gaga and the Born This Way Foundation, and lend our global megaphone for young people to speak out in support of acceptance, tolerance and respect."[14][15]

References

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  1. ^ http://bornthiswayfoundation.org/pages/our-mission/
  2. ^ "Lady Gaga Launches Born This Way Foundation". abcnews.go.com. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  3. ^ May, Jackie (25 June 2012). "Lady Gaga's quest for kindness makes her 'Reel Cool'". The Times (South Africa). Last year when a 14-year-old boy committed suicide after being teased for being gay, Lady Gaga tweeted: "The past days I've spent reflecting, crying, and yelling. I have so much anger. It is hard to feel love when cruelty takes someone's life". The right response, of course. But she also took action and a few months later launched the Born This Way Foundation "to reach youth and create a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment".
  4. ^ Lee, Leon (6 May 2012). "She does it her way; Lady Gaga stands up for individuality". South China Morning Post. Lady Gaga has taken her message of individualism to heart and become the face of the anti-bullying movement. In February, she launched the Born This Way Foundation, which focuses on encouraging individuality and self-expression among young people.
  5. ^ "Lady Gaga, Oprah at Harvard, launch singer's youth-empowerment foundation". The Washington Post. Washington DC: WPC. 29 February. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 4 March 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Oprah Teams Up With Lady Gaga for Born This Way Foundation Launch". Billboard. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  7. ^ "Lady Gaga Testifies at Harvard on Behalf of Born This Way Foundation". Mental Health Weekly Digest. March 12, 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  8. ^ http://bornthiswayfoundation.org/pages/born-this-way-foundation-poster-contest-official-rules
  9. ^ http://bornthiswayfoundation.com/page/s/poster-contest
  10. ^ Krasny, Ros (2012-03-01). "Lady Gaga lends star wattage to youth empowerment". Reuters. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  11. ^ "Menace of cyber bullies". Cape Argus. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  12. ^ "Born This Way Foundation Unveils 'Born Brave' Groups; Lady Gaga's foundation to launch community-based youth organizations nationwide". PR Newswire. 28 June 2012. Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, announced today that Born This Way Foundation (BTWF) is preparing to launch an unprecedented youth-led initiative that will begin with empowering youth to name their own movement. These localized groups of supporters will be dedicated to affecting change in their homes, schools, and local communities. In addition to connecting BTWF supporters, this grassroots effort will serve as the perfect tool for anyone who wants to bring the Foundation's pillars of safety, skills and opportunity to their own community.
  13. ^ "Oprah Winfrey to Join Lady Gaga for Born This Way Foundation Launch". prnewswire.com. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  14. ^ http://bornthiswayfoundation.org/
  15. ^ http://blog.viacom.com/2012/05/viacom-joins-forces-with-lady-gagas-born-this-way-foundation-as-its-lead-media-partner/
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