With eight Grammys, two Brit awards and nine UK number ones, as well as a new fashion business and a charitable foundation under her belt, Rihanna now has another detail to add her to resume. She has been appointed ambassador in her native Barbados where she will promote education, tourism and investment for her home country.
Rihanna said, “I couldn’t be more proud to take on such a prestigious title in my home country,” and is excited to help “reimagine Barbados.”
The 30-year-old singer was hailed for her “significant creative acumen and shrewdness in business” by the Caribbean island’s prime minister, Mia Amor Mottley.
“Rihanna has a deep love for this country and this is reflected in her philanthropy, especially in the areas of health and education,” Amor Mottley said. “She also shows her patriotism in the way she gives back to this country and continues to treasure the island as her home.”
Rihanna is already a cultural ambassador for Barbados and has carried out international charitable work through her Clara Lionel Foundation, which is named after her grandparents.
More than being known for just her music, the pop star is also known for being a vocal commentator on political and social issues. In 2017, she was a prominent critic of President Donald Trump’s response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico. She also worked to stop gun violence that same year when a cousin was shot dead in Barbados.
By: Maytinee Kramer
