Sean “Diddy” Combs, popularly known in the world of entertainment as Diddy, is said to have fulfilled the 1 million dollar pledge he made to Howard University during last year’s BET.
Prior to this, during a Bad Boy Reunion Tour stop in Washington, D.C. at the Verizon Center, Bad Boy Entertainment donated $1 million to the School of Business at Howard University to debut The Sean Combs Scholarship Fund in 2016.
Giving an opening address at Howard University, Diddy expressed his reason for setting up the scholarship fund.
“This scholarship will make it possible for the next generation of leaders to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness. When I delivered the commencement address at Howard, I asked the students, ‘Do you know how powerful you are?’ I know that Howard students are intelligent, talented, and passionate, and their hard work will shape the future.”
Diddy had two years of his college education in the 1990s and though he dropped out, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the school in 2014.
Related stories
“I was blessed to receive a great education from Howard University – one of the best schools in the world – and it helped to fuel my success in business and life,“ the respected entertainer noted.
According to Howard University’s official newsletter, The Hilltop confirmed that the Bad Boy Entertainment boss had finally fulfilled the pledge as of October 20. Howard University’s Development and Alumni Relations Senior Vice President David P. Bennett, also confirmed that the hip-hop billionaire had also carried out other “philanthropic efforts” on the University’s behalf.
“Mr. Combs has fully honored every public pledge of support he has made to Howard University. This includes both public pledges to donate to Howard University, each for $1 million. In addition to his public pledges, Mr. Combs has also supported Howard University and our students in many private ways. This includes through contributions, internships, and hiring many Howard alumni at Combs Global,” Bennett revealed.
The Sean Combs Scholarship began in the fall of 2017 for undergraduate Business majors who maintain a 3.0 GPA and need help paying for the program.
The $1 million pledge to his alma mater, Howard University, proves Combs’ unwavering commitment to professional development and career progression, along with robust support for Howard’s sports and institutions.
During Howard Homecoming – Yardfest, the rapper presented the pledge to the school’s president, Dr. Ben Vinson III. The crowd was bursting with excitement as Diddy performed some of his classic tunes, It’s All About the Benjamins, I Need a Girl Part 1, and Act Bad. Artists Kalan.FrFr and Love Records artiste Jozzy, who featured on Diddy’s latest musical release, The Love Album: Off The Grid, joined him on stage in cameo appearances.
The donation is part of Combs’ initiative of supporting and fostering economic empowerment and upholding the heritage of historically Black institutions. This project was unveiled during the rap star’s headlines in Atlanta.
Diddy has also donated $1 million from the Sean Combs Foundation to Jackson State University Football during the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge Kickoff in August this year.
Two days later, at Invest Fest, Combs declared a $1 million investment fund in collaboration with “Earn Your Leisure” co-founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings. The fund is intended to transform financial discussions into tangible actions and create a solid blueprint for economic upliftment.
Combs is highly notable for his charitable contributions. His philanthropic initiatives include his Capital Preparatory Charter Schools in Harlem and Bronx, New York, and Connecticut. Under Combs Global company, his e-commerce platform Empower Global (EG) spotlights products from Black entrepreneurs. Combs also pioneered the “Excellence Program” with WME, which aids underrepresented college-age individuals in the entertainment domain.
Diddy was honored with the Global Icon Award at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. His fifth studio album, The Love Album: Off the Grid, put the rap star on the Billboard charts as the 6th Top Ten album for the R&B-focused musical project.