Lizzo Is Celebrating Juneteenth in a 'Major Way' with Silent Auction/Raffle: 'Let's Make Change'

The grand prize winner will nab, among other goodies, "a one of a kind custom vase in the shape of my booty," Lizzo says

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Published on June 19, 2020 03:46 PM

Lizzo arrives at the 51st NAACP Image Awards on February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, California — Lizzo. Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Lizzo is celebrating Juneteenth in a "major way" — by encouraging her fans to help "give back to Black organizations and businesses" in the wake of George Floyd's death.

The "Jerome" singer, 32, shared a video to Instagram on Friday that showed her posing nude on a flight of stairs, with her front covered by her long hair, wishing followers a "Happy Juneteenth, y'all!"

"Not only are we celebrating a Black American holiday, but I'm holding a silent auction and a raffle so we can give back to Black organizations and businesses — specifically in Twin Cities," said Lizzo, referring to the Minnesota region in which Floyd, 46, was killed at the hands of a white police officer late last month.

"So go to LizzoLovesYou.com to sign up to have an interactive experience with me — whether virtual or on the road, depending on the future of COVID — and also participate in a silent auction with some of my favorite people and artists," she added, urging viewers to "celebrate Juneteenth by giving back to Black."

Those who wish to participate in the auction can bid on items from Lizzo and other artists like Missy Elliott and Janelle Monáe — including the iconic "vagina pants" worn by Monáe, 34, in her "PYNK" music video. (At press time, the bid was sitting at $1,300.)

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Individuals can also donate a minimum of $10, which will enter them in a drawing "to win a trip to hang out with me backstage at an upcoming concert," Lizzo wrote on the website, promising to give the winner (plus a guest) "the full Lizzo Big Grrrl treatment."

"I'll fly you to one of my concerts (dates and locations TBD) and put you up in a sexy hotel. You can even learn some of the Big Grrrl moves and dance with us at soundcheck," she wrote. "You'll get VIP seats OR watch from backstage with your BIG GRRRL All Access Tour Pass. And since I don't know when these concerts will be scheduled just yet, I'll video call you and some of your friends so we can kick it virtually in the meantime. Plus, I'll throw in something truly personal: a one of a kind custom vase in the shape of my booty."

The three-time Grammy winner revealed on the website that donations support Minneapolis Sanctuary Movement, Black Church Food Security Network, Black Women Speak and HeadCount.

"Thank you for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, Black businesses and these incredible organizations. Change is coming let's make change together," Lizzo's note on the website concluded.

RELATED VIDEO: Lizzo Breaks Down While Addressing Racism amid Protests: "Open Your Mind, Open Your Heart"

For 155 years, the Black community has celebrated Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery and the independence of countless enslaved people that actually came two-and-a-half years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Also known as Black Independence Day, the holiday isn't widely taught in schools.

On Friday, Sens. Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Tina Smith and Ed Markey proposed a bill that would render Juneteeth a federally recognized holiday.

"Juneteenth is about reclaiming our history, rejoicing in the progress we've made, and recommitting to the work yet undone," Booker, 51, said in a press release, NBC News reports. "Our nation still has a long way to go to reckon with and overcome the dark legacy of slavery and the violence and injustice that has persisted after its end."

To help combat systemic racism, consider learning from or donating to these organizations:

Campaign Zero (joincampaignzero.org) which works to end police brutality in America through research-proven strategies.
ColorofChange.org works to make government more responsive to racial disparities.
National Cares Mentoring Movement (caresmentoring.org) provides social and academic support to help black youth succeed in college and beyond.