Coi Leray Says She's 'Super Excited to Launch' Camp Courage Foundation to Empower and Connect Youth (Exclusive)

Coi Leray is giving back to her hometown in a big way!

On Monday, July 1, the Grammy-nominated “Players” artist announced the launch of the Camp Courage Foundation, her new nonprofit dedicated to “empowering and connecting individuals of all ages in inner cities,” according to a press release shared exclusively with PEOPLE.

Coi Leray.

Jermaine Jackson

The philanthropic initiative was launched in Coi’s hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, in the middle of her Magic Hour national tour with headliner and R&B singer Jhené Aiko.

The double-platinum star stopped by the Great Falls Youth Center on July 1 to celebrate the launch of her Camp Courage, as her organization’s ultimate goal is to create a “nurturing and inclusive environment” where youth can “collaborate, support each other and build lasting connections as would provide them with the skills and opportunity to reach their full potential.”

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Coi Leray.

Jermaine Jackson

“That’s why I started my worldwide foundation, Camp Courage,” Leray told PEOPLE in a statement. “I’m extremely excited to launch it at the peak of 2024. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I finally came up with an amazing name for it and I’m excited.”

She adds: “We’re focusing on mental health because I feel like it’s something that I’ve dealt with all my life, childhood, growing up and now, and I do so many things that I’m pretty sure these girls would want to know and learn.”

Coi Leray.

Jermaine Jackson

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The latest event at the youth center combined Leray’s love of healthy eating with her mission to promote independence and nutrition through a special cooking class inspired by her Cooking with Coi YouTube also features now-popular videos of her cooking on the side of the road during tour stops.

Along with 30 at-risk elementary and high school students from her hometown, the “No More Parties” singer participated in a “transformative culinary workshop,” teaching youngsters how to turn simple ingredients into delicious and quick homemade meals — including root beer floats and nachos.

Coi Leray.

Jermaine Jackson

In addition to learning Leray’s cool cooking tips, each young participant also received generous Adidas gifts, courtesy of the music sensation, to motivate them to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Leraya’s non-profit presentation comes just before she takes the stage at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on July 1, where she will once again perform for Aiko. The Billboard chart-topping hitmaker is on tour with the “Sativa” singer through August 22nd, ending in Columbus, Ohio.

Coi Leray.

Jermaine Jackson

Recently, Leray dropped her Lemon cars EP on May 24, and the project features her self-titled single. She hinted at the project’s arrival last month in an Instagram post showcasing the cover art and tracklist.

“Never make a fool of yourself to lift someone up. Be okay with walking away from anything that doesn’t help you grow. We can’t change anyone but ourselves so be very self-aware and focus on YOU,” she captioned the post at the time. “Have fun. Invest in yourself. Pray. To enjoy. See you on tour.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education