Meek Mill, Rapsody, Meghan Trainor Announced as Inaugural Inspire Change Advocates for 2019 NFL Season (UPDATE)

A free show will be held in Chicago's Grant Park.

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Image via Getty/Gilbert Carrasquillo

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UPDATED 9/4 at 10:00 a.m. ET: Just days after announcing its Inspire Change advocates, the NFL is planning to kick off its new corresponding social outreach programs. 

According to TMZ, the NFL and Roc Nation will donate $400,000 to two groups in Chicago that focus on aiding at-risk youth by providing alternatives to gun and gang violence. The first is Crusher's Club, whose mission it is to help the city's children "restore their lives and improve their neighborhoods." On Thursday, Meek Mill and Meghan Trainor will visit Crusher's Club to make the official announcement. The other organization is the BBF (Better Boys Foundation) Family Services which provides education, youth services, and employment to Chicago residents. Rapsody and Vic Mensa will visit the BBF on Wednesday to make the donation.

The Windy City will serve as the prototype for Inspire Change's new initiatives, but the NFL isn't stopping with Chicago. Per TMZ's sources, the league plans to donate and aid at least two organizations in every NFL city. 

See original story below.

NFL and Roc Nation announced Friday that Meek MillRapsody, and Meghan Trainor have been named the inaugural Inspire Change advocates for the 2019 season, a distinction that will include a free concert in Chicago's Grant Park Sept. 5.

As part of their controversial partnership, the NFL and Roc Nation are launching Inspire Change apparel and a Songs of the Season campaign. The apparel, per a press release, will be used to fund Inspire Change efforts across the U.S. 

The key elements of the Inspire Change initiative are outlined as follows:

  • education and economic empowerment
  • police and community relations
  • criminal justice reform

The Songs of the Season aspect, meanwhile, is said to highlight both superstars and emerging artists across all genres. Selected songs will be incorporated into NFL promos each month, with song debuts set for in-game broadcasts, complete with simultaneous streaming platform releases. Proceeds go to Inspire Change.

The Sept. 5 free show at the NFL Kickoff Experience will see a portion of Meek's performance being included in simulcast coverage of the Chicago pregame show. Following the show, fans can stay at Grant Park to catch the NFL Kickoff Watch Party.

Two Chicago-based organizations, BBF Family Services and Crushers Club, will be hosted by Meek, Rapsody, and Trainor at the event. One day prior to the show, Rapsody is hosting an Inspire Change Speed Mentoring Session at BBF Family Services during which young men and women will be given a chance to receive mentorship from community leaders, Roc Nation, the NFL, and more.

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