Janelle Monae was at the New York State Capitol today, March 4, performing at a free public concert as part of an education rally.
According to Rolling Stone, the rally expected to draw 9,000 students, teachers and parents to advocate for children in low-rated schools in New York.
The rally was hosed by Don't Steal Possible, a campaign that aims to fight for 800,000 kids who cannot read or do math at grade level.
The campaign site reported, "In a kindergarten class of 30 black and Hispanic kids, only two will graduate ready for college. In New York City, 143,000 are kids trapped in persistently failing schools."
Don't Steal Possible was organized by Families for Excellent Schools, a movement created by public school families who advocate for positive change to the education system.
Rolling Stone reported that Monae was in the company of Questlove, Mike D of the Beastie Boys and Estelle, who have also shown support to the Don't Steal Possible campaign in the past.
"It's heartbreaking to know that there are 800,000 New York kids falling through the cracks every year," Monae said in a statement via Rolling Stone. "I am honored to stand with families demanding an end to this crisis."
Monae has shown her community activism side before. She was honored by First Lady Michelle Obama in support of arts education at the Grammy Museum's Jane Ortner Education Award Luncheon. She delivered a speech last year encouraging art exposure for children.
During her speech at the luncheon, she expressed, "... music helped me deal with my emotions. I was able to write a song or perform or write a short story," as reported by Billboard. "Keep educating through music."
The Electric Lady's performance in support of this rally connects to more than 50,000 families FES serves. The grassroots movement also supports more than 90 schools in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
