Brent Faiyaz might have hooked up his identify to something. One other sneaker deal. A vogue capsule. A shiny company partnership.
As an alternative, he constructed one thing private. One thing actual.
The Grammy-nominated artist launched the Faiyaz Freedom To Breathe Basis not for headlines, however to honor the individuals who’ve carried him the furthest: Black ladies. Impressed by his track “Present U Off” — written as a tribute to his late grandmother and the legacy of Black ladies in his household — the motion developed right into a grant program and annual luncheon bearing the identical identify.
On the Basis’s 2nd Annual Present U Off Luncheon, held on April 12, 2025, at The Mint Museum in Charlotte, Faiyaz opened as much as Rolling Out about why this mission issues, the way it displays his true self, and what he hopes each girl supported by the muse walks away with.
Uplifting the spine of his world
“To be actual with you, it feels sort of wild, as a result of individuals ask you, nevertheless it feels sort of like a no brainer,” Faiyaz says.
“With regards to simply how I run my firm and the way in which ladies have influenced my whole way of life, it makes essentially the most sense to uplift who evokes me essentially the most — and who’s the spine of my whole group.”
From his authorized crew to artistic leads, Faiyaz credit Black ladies with not solely shaping his profession — however anchoring his life.
“I really feel like I’m in a position to execute essentially the most out of my imaginative and prescient if a Black girl is behind it and serving to me get it performed,” he says.
Constructing a basis on household
For Brent, the Basis is greater than a feel-good challenge — it’s household. It’s a group. It’s a legacy.
“Going again to who I’m always round — my mother, making this what it’s, and our relationship being as shut as it’s — it’s only a testomony to what you are able to do when mom and son get collectively and make one thing particular,” he says.
His mom, Jeanette Wooden, serves as a driving power behind the mission. His cousins sit on the advisory board. His nieces are already a part of its future.
“I don’t do all this on my own,” he provides. “Music is one aspect. But it surely’s a whole group of ladies behind me that make this what it’s.”
Funding desires and feeding data
Whereas the Present U Off grant supplies actual monetary help — $10,000 for every recipient — the worth doesn’t cease on the test.
“If you wish to begin your corporation, not solely are we going to provide the funding that will help you get it cracking, however we are able to additionally ensure that we allow you to have the data to scale it,” he explains.
Grant recipients additionally acquire entry to mentorship, schooling, and assets to strengthen their companies and networks.
His message to each girl leaving the luncheon?
“Simply that it’s all doable,” Faiyaz says. “And there’s at all times individuals behind you to ensure you can execute your imaginative and prescient. Folks you possibly can name on for a useful resource or for something.”
A full-time philanthropist
When requested — half-joking — when followers can anticipate new music, Brent flashes a smile.
“I don’t even—I’m retired,” he jokes. “I’m a full-time philanthropist.”
Even when the world hears new music quickly, one factor’s already clear: Brent Faiyaz’s subsequent chapter isn’t nearly sound — it’s about service. And he’s simply getting began.