Rihanna‘s annual Diamond Ball fundraiser is approaching, and in advance of the September 12th gala she’s announced the event will honor Bajan politician and attorney Mia Mottley and American activist Shaun King.
In a press statement, Rihanna said, “I am particularly honored to present Prime Minister Mottley and Shaun King with this year’s Diamond Ball awards for their groundbreaking work. We are so thankful to them for joining us and making the night better than ever.”
Response to the news that King is being honored hasn’t been well received within progressive activist communities, rather quite the opposite. On social media, multiple people pulled receipts showing King using his following and platform to raise funds with little sign of accountability.
In response to the announcement, attorney Imani Gandy documented multiple instance of problematic behavior by King on Twitter where she wrote, “This legit made my heart sink. @rihanna, please have someone look into #ShaunKing’s history of stealing from, threatening, and intimidating Black women, as well as misappropriating funds raised from vulnerable people.”
Interestingly, Rihanna hinted at the choice last week when she liked a King Instagram post critical of Jay-Z‘s decision to work with the NFL.
Check out some additional responses below.
