Grammy-nominated pop/rap artist TYGA, also known as Michael Stevenson, came to Chicago last month to empower under-privileged and economically challenged youth as part of his R.O.A.R (Reach Out And Represent) Youth Empowerment Campaign.

On September 23, 2011, TYGA came to Bogan High School as part of the La Belle Vie foundation BULU (Be U Love U) program. He spoke with over 500 youth in each city and present VIP packages to select youth who are nominated by the staff for meeting criteria in three critical areas; attendance, grades and behaviour.

TYGA, an acronym for Thank You God Always, is an American rapper whose album No Introduction debuted in 2008. He has worked with Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne and Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. He received much acclaim for his Grammy-nominated song with Chris Brown, Deuces, and hit song Coconut Juice, featuring his cousin Travis from Gym Class Heroes. TYGA is now receiving acclaim and admiration for his R.O.A.R youth empowerment campaign, which provides a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to under-privileged youth.

Developed and supported by the La Belle Vie Foundation, the collaborative BULU/ R.O.A.R. Campaign, is designed to acknowledge and eradicate the damaging impact that media, violence, drug involvement, poor decision-making skills and a lack of education impose on the self-esteems of young people and ultimately their futures.

BULU’s goal is to celebrate youth and achievement by bringing notable successful personalities from similar backgrounds to youth via motivational speaking, providing a tangible mentoring, leadership and empowerment component.

TYGA is thrilled to partner again with Chris Brown before the launch of their highly anticipated F.A.M.E tour with Kelly Roland and T-Pain that started on September 12, 2011 in Toronto. The tour will hit 28 U.S. cities.

During the F.A.M.E. tour, R.O.A.R. and BULU will select a school in each of the 28 tour cities – – engaging at least 2000 youth per city in schools and over 7 million fans per city via his social media platforms.

During the assembly, TYGA gave students the unadulterated truth about the focus and determination that it really takes to accomplish their goals, as well as address the importance of education, anti-drug, anti- violence and achievement despite the challenges.

In an attempt to offset the high drop rates among Black and Latino students and to bring attention to the importance of going to college, TYGA is sponsoring 15 “TYGA SCHOLARS” in each city where a R.O.A.R event is scheduled in a high school. TYGA SCHOLARS will be senior high school students who have been selected by their school administrators to complete the EDU, Inc. COMMON BLACK COLLEGE APPLICATION “for free”. The EDU, Inc. The application allows students to apply to 35 HBCUs at the same time. The use of the EDU, Inc. Application increases the educational options of students by allowing them to receive acceptance letters, financial aid packages and scholarship offers from several different colleges.  

TYGA’s programs R.O.A.R., in partnership with BULU exemplifies a commitment to making a difference in the lives of under-privileged and economically challenged youth through education, mentoring and empowerment. To date, BULU has serviced over 10,000 youth nationwide.

Photos by Joshua Smith