Rapper David Banner Honored For Charity Work In Atlanta

David Banner was recently bestowed the Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes humanitarian award during this year's annual HOT 107.9 Birthday Bash in Atlanta. In front of a crowd in excess of 20,000 people, the Mississippi native was honored for his charitable efforts in organizing a series of star-studded Hip-Hop benefit concerts in support of the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. "As a man raised in the hood, you only see our heros being recognized for negative things," Banner explained to AllHipHop.com. "Getting this award in Left Eye's memory shows me that people do recognize my efforts and that it is worth going the extra mile." Banner was successful in raising over $500,000 last year through his non-profit organization Heal the Hood. The foundation, which he launched prior to Hurricane Katrina, has a mission of assisting people who reside in harsh urban environments. Profits that were generated from the benefit concert were donated to the hardest hit states with the greatest need including communities in southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and New Orleans. In addition to his charitable efforts, Banner is set to make his acting debut alongside Samuel L. Jackson this year in the Craig Brewer directed film Black Snake Moan. The movie is a tale about a white woman who is a nymphomaniac and must be cured of her disorder by a black bluesman. Banner is also scheduled to co-host the 1st Annual Ozone Award Show, which is set to take place in Orlando, Florida on August 6th.