Tribeca 2022: Robert De Niro presents Common with the second annual Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award.
Academy Award, Emmy and Grammy-winning artist, actor, author, and activist, Common continues to break down barriers with a multitude of critically acclaimed, diverse roles, and continued success in all aspects of his career. Having starred in numerous film and television projects, Common has worked behind the scenes as an executive producer and on multiple soundtracks for which he has received Oscar, Grammy, NAACP, and Critic Choice Award nominations. Common has dedicated countless hours and has been deeply engaged in social justice and advocacy work around mass incarceration, mental health and voting. He launched the nonprofit Imagine Justice, which is dedicated to leveraging the power of art to advocate for communities around the country. Through his Common Ground Foundation, Common is dedicated to empowering high school students from underserved communities to become future leaders. The foundation operates educational programs in Chicago that focus on character development, healthy living, financial literacy, social impact, technology, and leadership.
The programs include mentoring and college readiness, summer camp, and an annual Youth Business and Leadership Conference. The foundation students have a 100% graduation rate from high school. The Common Ground Foundation was proud to honor Harry Belafonte in 2012. He was joined in conversation with New York Times columnist and MSNBC political analyst Charles Blow.
