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The actors and singers will take part in
television special "Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief
Effort," airing on cable channel BET on Wednesday, that aims to
deliver financial, educational and community support directly to
the African American community.
Early data from U.S. states shows African Americans are dying
from coronavirus at higher rates than the population at large,
highlighting long-standing disparities in health and
inequalities in access to medical care.
Rowland, a founder member of Destiny's Child who will host the
event along with Regina Hall and Terrence J., said the
statistics have made her heart drop
"We can't have something like this take out our community," she
said. "I feel like we've been through so much. Our ancestors
have been through so much. So we have to get through something
like this," Rowland said.
Others participating in Wednesday's special include Chance the
Rapper, DJ Khaled, Charlie Wilson and Fantasia.
Before U.S. states imposed strict lockdowns a month ago, Rowland
was preparing to release an album she's been working on for six
years.
She decided to drop the first single "Coffee" early last week
with hopes of bringing a bit of escapism to people.
She said the opening bells of "Coffee" took her back to a
favorite spot in Jamaica.
"I was, like, if it makes me feel like that, I wonder what would
it do for other people?... The women that are in this video are
just so grounded in their beauty and sexuality and they're so
unapologetic about it. I was like, yeah, we need some of that
right now."
(Reporting by Alicia Powell; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
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