‘Furious 8’ star Ludacris, mom donate Walmart gift cards

Christopher Brian Bridges, who is professionally known as Ludacris, recently did charity work with his mother Roberta Shields. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the “Furious 8” actor delivered turkey baskets with the trimmings to help three families from Utopian Academy for the Arts in Clayton County, Georgia.

In addition, Ludacris and his mother donated US$500 (AU$697) Walmart gift cards to the families who received the Thanksgiving meals. This marked the second year that the Ludacris Foundation supported Utopian Academy scholars during the holidays.

“Ludacris and his family foundation have been loyal supporters of Utopian Academy,” Clayton News Daily quoted Utopian Academy executive director Artesius Miller as saying. “We appreciate his support of our scholars, our teachers, and our school.”

One of the recipients of the Walmart gift cards was seventh-grader K-Narrius Mapp’s family. The teenager, who is an aspiring musician, said when Miller he had a surprise for him who may come to his house for a visit, the first thing that came to his mind was that he hoped it was Ludacris.

Mapp’s mother said she was a big fan of Ludacris so she could not believe the “Furious 8” actor was standing in her living room. She said she was very shocked and excited when the actor and rapper came to their house.

The Ludacris Foundation was founded in 2001. Since then, it has invested over 10,000 hours in devoted service to youth across the United States.

In other news, Ludacris attended the red-carpet premiere for the “Concussion” on Dec. 17, Thursday, at CinéBistro at Town Brookhaven in Atlanta, Georgia, along with his manager Chaka Zulu. The venue was also where “Fast and Furious 6” had its premiere in 2016, according to Atlanta Journal Constitution.

“Concussion” stars Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, who is known for being the forensic neuropathologist who was the first one to diagnose the football-related brain trauma called chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The biopic is set to be released by Columbia Pictures on Dec. 25.

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