Rap star and social activist Meek Mill has received the Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award, given by PTTOW! (Plan to Take on the World) an invitation-only community for CEOs, chief marketing officers and icons.
The Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award recognizes individuals who are carrying on Mandela’s legacy peace and social justice. The rapper received the award for his ongoing work with REFORM Alliance, co-founded by Michael Rubin, JAY-Z, Michael Novogratz, Clara Wu Tsai, and Daniel Loeb. Meek acts as the co-chair of the organization. So far, REFORM has worked to achieve notable legislative victories on social justice initiatives and criminal justice reform in several states, including Michigan, Virginia, Georgia and Mississippi.
Previous winners of the Nelson Mandela changemaker award include Masai Ujiri, Toronto Raptors president and founder of Giants of Africa Foundation; Hugh Evans, Global Citizen CEO/founder; Sharon Stone, actress and humanitarian; Deborah Dugan, former CEO of (RED) and former president/CEO of the Recording Academy; Sophia Bush, actress and Global Education Access advocate, among others.
To formally celebrate the honor, Meek released the “Mandela Freestyle,” which sees him rapping about his own experience with the legal system and dedication to criminal justice reform in the US:
The rap lyrics highlight Meek’s own experience: “Motivate the people where I come from, my requirement / Say it loud, ‘I won’t be a product of my environment.’” He continues to rap, “The system broke and we can’t fix it/ Take it to the chop shop/ Pick it apart and build it back/ Make it equal for the brown and Blacks.”
Learn more about REFORM’s work and how to get involved at the official website.