Globally-renowned music producer Leland Tyler Wayne, who grew up in St. Louis and is known professionally as Metro Boomin, and leaders of Rung for Women presented checks totaling $100,000 to five local nonprofits on May 20. The funds will benefit recipients’ ongoing work to improve the lives of women and children in the St. Louis area.
“I’ve seen firsthand the work that goes into being a single mother. Mine was my inspiration and my hero,” said Wayne. “It’s very important to me to pay it forward, because I see the same resilience and dedication in the women these organizations work with.”
The organizations receiving $20,000 are Almost Home, Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation, The Haven of Grace, The Little Bit Foundation, and Parents as Teachers.
Each grant will go directly to individual women, helping make their lives a little easier by reducing debt and/or paying expenses such as childcare, rent, and utilities.
“We are excited to partner with Metro Boomin in his work to lift up single mothers in St. Louis,” said Leslie Gill, President of Rung. “Inspired by the remarkable love he has for his late mother, he is demonstrating a commitment to women and to our community.”
The funds were raised during the Leslie Joanne Soirée holiday event Metro held at Rung in December, presented by Amazon Access. He hosted Metro Boomin Theme Night during the May 20St. Louis Cardinals game that included a performance. A portion of ticket sales were donated to Rung.
