The Clara Lionel Foundation is an organisation that Rihanna founded in 2012 in honor of her grandparents Clara and Lionel Brathwaite. The organisation works to improve the quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts and culture.

Rih has been doing charity since she was 18 years old when she started the Believe Foundation. Since then she’s been doing a lot of projects in the fashion world to raise money and awareness to the battle against HIV/AIDS with both H&M and MAC (Viva Glam). She’s also been ambassador for UNICEF’s Tap Project and ”There for the Philippines”.

Clara (Gran Gran Dolly), Rihanna’s grandmother that the foundation is named after, passed away on June 30th, after a battle with cancer. Rihanna has paid tribute to her grandmother with a tattoo of the Egyptian goddess Isis and on June 30th in Zurich (1 year after Dolly passed away) a fan showed this sign to Rihanna while performing Diamonds.

Rihanna was 45 minutes late to her show in Sweden. Her grandma died hours before but she still showed up & performed pic.twitter.com/WsIz62ivjk

— Ebba (@illestbaba) January 18, 2016

The foundation has an annual Diamond Ball in December that’s been going on since 2014. The Diamond Ball is a fundraiser to benefit the CLF. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Big Sean, Kylie Jenner, Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Lionel Richie, Zendaya, Kevin Hart, Ne-yo and Ellen Pompeo has been seen at the event.

Today, Rihanna announced that they will be launching college scholarship programs through the foundation. Applications are open until June 10th for students in the US, Jamaica, Haiti, Barbados, Brazil, Cuba and Guyana.

”A lot of these kids, they’re really smart and they’re doing really well in school, but they may not have the access or the financial stability to take it any further than that. That’s why we started this program.” – Rihanna

Below are two videos where Rihanna and her mother speak about their vision for the foundation and it’s future. We couldn’t be prouder.

Melissa Forde has given us a sneak peak into the tourbus where hair stylist Yusef, personal assistent Jennifer Rosales, Dollas and Rih are busy listening to Too Good and This Is What You Came For while the queen gets her manicure. Everytime we see these people together there’s no mistake on it being the best thing ever. I die inside from not being allowed into the heaven that is Rihanna doing anything at all with her close friends.

And at her singing Popcaan’s outro…

Gyal a you mi waan
Pay fi yuh visa meck yo fly out regular

DO THIS TO ME LIVE AND I SHALL DIE.

(Lyrics thanks to rapgenius cause we all know I have no clue what is said other than the cock up ya bumper, sit down pon it line.)

@badgalriri @jennnrosales

A video posted by @mdollas11 on May 7, 2016 at 1:56am PDT

A video posted by @mdollas11 on May 7, 2016 at 2:00am PDT

A video posted by @mdollas11 on May 7, 2016 at 2:03am PDT

So it all began opening night of the Anti World tour in Jacksonville, FL. Ri noticed me front row and her eyes lit up with excitement. She first recognized me when she began singing Same Ol Mistakes and lifted her sunglasses up to make eye contact and started waving to me. After the last song Riri walks from one side of the stage to the other side, waving and thanking everyone for coming to the show. Rihanna came right up to me waving and mumbled something to me but I couldn’t really figure out what she was saying but whatever lol.

I didn’t get to say hi to Ri backstage that night but it was amazing just seeing the first show and all the love she gave me on stage.

A week later was the Cincinnati show. I was second row for this one. The show was amazing per usual and afterwards I went by the buses where other Navy were waiting to hopefully see Rihanna somehow. I waited out there for like 45 minutes and then her bodyguard and tour manager come over to us saying where’s Nick? I immediately raise my hand and they say Rihanna wants to see you.

So I was brought backstage and was waiting in the hallway by myself with Rich and Frank (Rihanna’s bodyguards.) As I was waiting Jay Brown (Rihanna’s manager) came up and introduced himself to me and told me how much Rihanna appreciates me with all the support from over the years and thanking me for coming to so many shows. Jay is such a cool guy, very personal and humble.

After another 20 minutes pass by, Rihanna pops out of her dressing room with her arms wide open saying ”NICK!”. She immediately gives me a hug and we hug for a good couple seconds. From there we are just talking about the show, album, and more in the hallway. I then told Ri we gotta stop and take a selfie video and Rihanna was like ok, let’s do it. We record the video cracking up laughing. The video we made is just epic!

Still one of the best moments of my life with my homegirl @badgalriri #antiworldtour #Backstage #Cincinnati ⚓️®?

A video posted by Nick Gallo (@nickgallo610) on Apr 4, 2016 at 9:27pm PDT

After Ri signed my Anti Tour book putting ”To My Baby Daddy, <3 Rihanna,” and signed my anti cd cover putting ”To my boy Nick, <3 Rihanna”. We then took 3 selfies on my phone and Rich took 3 pictures of us on my professional camera. After the pictures and autographs we just talked about everything, personal stuff, career stuff, and more.

I do not want to get to into detail about the stuff because I want to keep it to myself. After Ri asked me how I was getting home and made sure I had a ride, I told her that I was taking an Uber back to my hotel and that I hop on a bus in the morning to go back home to Chicago. We said our goodbyes and she went to her bus and I exited the arena. After Cincinnati, I went to the Detroit show, the second Brooklyn show, Chicago (my hometown) and Atlanta.

Rihanna is truly one of the must humble and caring people I have ever met. It is just crazy for a global superstar to care about her true fans so much is so meaningful. I can’t thank her enough for everything!

Thanks,
Nick Gallo

The first of two L.A shows was a star filled one. Lana del Rey, Fifth Harmony, Ashley Benson, Blac Chyna, Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie were amongst those who enjoyed watching Riri perform at The Forum.

QUEEN RIH @badgalriri is the baddest bitch in the world.????✨ Such an incredible production, vibe, woman..band, dancers. INCREDIBLE show. I feel so blessed to be able to watch artists like her and be inspired the way I was last night and every time I hear her music to feel fuckin powerful and free and like a bad bitchhhh!? I love you Rih!! #navyordie

A photo posted by laurenjauregui (@laurenjauregui) on May 4, 2016 at 10:30am PDT

And another lucky fan got the chance to meet with Rihanna after the show! We are so proud and appreciative of our fave for being so sweet and genuine with the fanbase. <3

I don't think I've ever been this happy #antiworldtour

A photo posted by tyla milan (@tylamilan) on May 4, 2016 at 1:19am PDT

❤️?

A video posted by tyla milan (@tylamilan) on May 4, 2016 at 1:22am PDT

Photographer Dennis Leupold has graced us with some behind the scenes pictures from the Needed me video shoot. How perfect for the #NeededMeStreamingParty happening today! Happy Wednesday everybody!