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GIVING BACK: American actress Issa Rae

POPULAR US sitcom writer and actress Issa Rae has helped raise more that $560,000 for the mourning children of an unarmed black man who was killed by a white police officer earlier this week.

After thousands watched the oldest son of Alton Sterling, who was killed by police on Tuesday (Jul 5), cry out for his father at a heartbreaking press conference alongside his mother, more than 19,000 people have offered their financial support to Sterling's five children.

On Wednesday (Jul 6), Awkward Black Girl writer/actress Rae tweeted about wanting to start a scholarship fund for Sterling's surviving children, explaining, "Some of us feel helpless when these things happen, but that's a small step."

She then got in contact with the family's lawyer and started a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $200,000 for all of Sterling's children. As Rae proudly noted just nine hours later, the goal had already been met.

“Thank you for helping us raise the goal!” she wrote Wednesday evening. “I just got off the phone with the Sterling family attorney who is aware of the GoFundMe and has asked me to call back tomorrow, as the family is (naturally) overwhelmed at this time. Will keep you all posted. In the meantime, keep spreading the word!"

At time of publication, the donations are closing in on $570,000, with every dollar going to Sterling's family.

$200k in 9 hours. When we unite we are amazing. I am so proud of us. Thank u for thinking of #AltonSterling's kids: https://t.co/3jzH7yRBMc

— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) July 7, 2016