Charlize Theron's work with AIDS in Africa through her charity 'Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project' is being recognized with her selection as one of Time's Most Influential People of 2016.
The forward written by Mycoskie, the founder of Tom Shoes, gives insight into Theron's charitable works:
Straight talker on HIV prevention A lot of celebrities know how to raise awareness. Charlize Theron is different. First, she is deeply, deeply involved in the actual work of her foundation, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project; for the past nine years she has spent a lot of time in southern Africa with young people, helping them protect themselves from HIV. Second, she’s incredibly results-oriented and knows her programs really well. And third—and this is what makes her particularly effective with people who can make stuff happen—she’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind. I’ve never met anyone who holds less back. That means people trust her, which helps spread her influence. We’ve been giving kids shoes for 10 years at Toms, and what we’ve found is that making kids feel special is just as important as putting shoes on their feet. Charlize’s work is the same: the work she’s doing is important, but the way she goes about it, by building kids’ self-esteem, is just as valuable.
Congratulations to Charlize! Find more information at Charlize Africa Outreach and follow her on Twitter at @CharlizeAfrica.
Read the rest of the Time 100 Most Influential People list here.
