Cause-related Parenting

Tonight I am taking my daughter to her first concert.  It will be to see Shakira.  This is one of many concerts I have attended but its special because it is the first time I have purchased tickets not because I simply like the artist but more so that I believe that by doing so I am also supporting the artist and her genuine passions for music and the improvement of lives. 

Last month, while teaching in France one of my students chose to profile Shakira and the Barefoot Foundation.  While I am fascinated by stories regarding social innovation, ones that also feature "celebrity" even get me raising my eyebrows first and investigating later.  However, I was pleased to learn that Shakira has been genuinely devoted to the issue of a child's right to an education and its solution since she was 18 years old.  I am glad to share this story with my daughter who knows Shakira mostly from her dance moves and her catchy tunes.  Tonight, I am glad I can share this "first" with my daughter and experience the energy of an artist that appreciates her success and shares it by giving back to her communities in Columbia and around the world.  I just became one of over 35,000 Facebook fans of the Barefoot Foundation.

I would like to thank my student from Rouen Business School, Camila Rincon for educating me on how Shakira inspires her.