With those words, Patti LaBelle announced one of the most personal projects of her lifetime. The LaBelle Legacy Foundation, a $10 million initiative, will transform the Philadelphia streets where she once sang on church steps and endured hardship into centers of shelter, mentorship, and music education. For Patti, this is more than philanthropy — it is the fulfillment of a prayer she once whispered as a struggling young dreamer.

LaBelle’s story is well known: from the stages of soul music to the heights of international acclaim, she has carried her hometown spirit with her. Even as fame brought her global recognition, she never forgot the neighborhoods that shaped her resilience. Now, she is channeling her success into programs designed to give underprivileged children and struggling families opportunities she once longed for.

The foundation’s mission is both practical and profound. It will fund safe housing, provide community kitchens, and create mentorship programs led by local leaders and artists. Perhaps most significantly, it will offer music education spaces where young voices can be nurtured just as Patti’s once was in a Philadelphia church choir.

Community leaders have praised the initiative as a turning point for the city. “Patti LaBelle has always given us her voice, but now she’s giving us a legacy,” one official said. The project is expected to serve thousands of families each year and create a ripple effect across generations.

For Patti, this endeavor is about shifting the definition of legacy. “At my age, I don’t need the spotlight,” she explained, “I need to give kids the hope I once prayed for.” Those words underscore a transformation from performer to philanthropist, from stage icon to community builder.

Fans who have followed her journey see this as a natural extension of her music. From soul stages to community kitchens, LaBelle has always embodied the power of giving back. The woman once called the “Godmother of Soul” is proving once again that her greatest stage is not under bright lights, but in lifting others higher — note by note, life by life.