John Legend may be best known to many as a musician who’s won nine Grammys and an Oscar (for Best Original Song, “Glory” in 2015’s Selma).  His work as a philanthropist and advocate for justice isat least as powerful, however.

Legend has worked on a number of PBS projects such as  TED Talks Education and Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  Currently, he’s featured on Makers Men where he talks about his family’s early struggles, his education and his work to improve others’ lives.