Sean "Diddy" Combs Pledges One Million Dollars To His Alma Mater Howard University

This transformational contribution comes at a monumental time in the University's history, with its upcoming 150^th anniversary in March 2017, and reinforces the Capstone's status as an academic citadel that continuously produces outstanding leaders.  The investment in this historic institution by one of its most influential alumni is indicative of its excellence and his confidence in its bright future. Mr. Combs has helped to build the next generation of leaders by promoting a culture of philanthropy at his alma mater and encouraging all students to pursue their dreams and shape the future.

"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.  This scholarship will make it possible for the next generation of leaders to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness," said Sean "Diddy" Combs.  "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, passionate, and their hard work will shape the future."

According to President Frederick, "The scholarship fund that Mr. Combs has established at Howard will help provide life-altering opportunities for our students, particularly at a time when many come to Howard struggling to meet ever-increasing financial needs. The University is grateful for Mr. Combs'  ongoing efforts to open doors for talented, hard-working individuals and improve their chances of navigating the way to personal and professional fulfillment."

Mr. Combs is a beloved son of Howard who has distinguished himself as an entertainer, songwriter, actor, record producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. His professional accomplishments garnered him the highest University honors in the form of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Post Graduate Achievement in the fields of Entertainment and Business in 1999 and the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in 2014. His remarkable success is a source of great pride for the campus community as is his commitment to graciously give back to his alma mater to ensure that current and future students have access to the stellar education that it offers.

Mr. Combs has been a longtime proponent of education and worked to expand educational opportunities for young people. In 2003, Combs ran the New York City Marathon and raised $2 million dollars to support children in the New York City Schools. He has offered support and mentoring to young entrepreneurs through his work with the Boys & Girls Club, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), and other organizations. And in August, after five years of planning, Combs officially launched Capital Prepatory Harlem School, a free, public charter school in Harlem, NY.  Speaking at the launch he said, "Great schools and great education make a big difference. Unfortunately, too many people don't get the opportunity to succeed, no matter how hard they try. This is leveling the playing field."

Mr. Combs credits Howard University with providing him with the education and resources needed to build and cultivate Combs Enterprises, which includes the brands Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John, Combs Wine & Spirits (Cîroc and DeLeón), AQUAhydrate, The Blue Flame Agency, Bad Boy Touring, Janice Combs Publishing, REVOLT Films and REVOLT MEDIA & TV, as well as ENYCE, Zac Posen, and the Combs Foundation. Combs Enterprises is known worldwide for its award-winning, market-defining successes in music, fashion, fragrance, beverage, spirits, marketing, film, television, media and more.

Howard will begin awarding scholarships in fall 2017 to undergraduate Business majors who meet the criteria of a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need with the creation of The Sean Combs Scholarship Fund. In addition to the financial aid component, the recipients will be provided with a summer internship at Bad Boy Entertainment or Revolt Media & TV as well as assigned a Combs Enterprises representative as a mentor. This purposeful arrangement serves to develop the immense talent existing at the University, all while providing inspiration and support for those who wish to walk a similar path as Mr. Combs.

Currently in the midst of a 20-date run, the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour presented by Cîroc Vodka and Live Nation sponsored by AQUAhydrate, Deleon Tequila, Sean John, Macy's, Beats By Dre, Luc Belaire and Revolt Media, has garnered rave reviews, with Rolling Stone dubbing the tour the most "hit-packed of 2016" and a "walloping success, a mix of Motown revue, Broadway production and contemporary history." Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour celebrates 20 years of Bad Boy Entertainment hits. The tour resumes tomorrow night in Philadelphia, PA at Wells Fargo Center.

ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university comprising 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, two Truman Scholars, a Marshall Scholar, 30 Fulbright Scholars and 11 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus, African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, call 202-238-2330 or visit the University's website at www.howard.edu.

ABOUT SEAN COMBS
As the Chairman and CEO of Combs Enterprises, Sean "Diddy" Combs has a diverse portfolio of businesses and investments covering the music, fashion, fragrance, beverage, marketing, film, television, and media industries.  His Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group successfully carved out a new niche within the hip-hop genre, fostering superstar talent including Mariah Carey, TLC, Boyz II Men, Lil' Kim and French Montana.  An instrumental sartorial force, his Sean John fashion line has received numerous accolades and awards, including the launch of four Sean John fragrances, the first of which quickly became the top-selling fragrance across America.  Through a partnership with Diageo, Sean Combs' wildly popular Cîroc Vodka has become the standard for premium vodka, prompting the entrepreneur to acquire luxury tequila brand DeLeón and launch the fitness and wellness water brand AQUAhydrate.  In 2013, Sean Combs launched his own music television network, REVOLT, which continues to be a driving force in music and culture, engaging more than 80 million young adults along a multitude of platforms. Both a seasoned actor and producer, Combs recently established REVOLT Films, a multi-faceted production company already making waves for the recent success of 2015's Sundance-favorite, DOPE.  Sean Combs continues to apply the same drive and entrepreneurial spirit to his philanthropic work and political activism as well.

ABOUT COMBS ENTERPRISES
Combs Enterprises is a portfolio of businesses and investments built and cultivated by music legend and mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. Established in 2013, Combs Enterprises includes the brands Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John, Combs Wine & Spirits (Cîroc and DeLeón), AQUAhydrate, The Blue Flame Agency, Bad Boy Touring, Janice Combs Publishing, REVOLT Films and REVOLT MEDIA & TV, as well as ENYCE, Zac Posen, and the Combs Foundation. Combs Enterprises is known worldwide for its award-winning, market-defining successes in music, fashion, fragrance, beverage, spirits, marketing, film, television, media and more.

ABOUT PUFF DADDY AND THE BAD BOY FAMILY REUNION TOUR:
With a combined 38 platinum and multi-platinum selling records and over 400 million units sold worldwide, the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour, presented by Cîroc Vodka and Live Nation, will give fans a hit-fueled live experience, bringing their signature styles together for the first time ever. Kicking off September 1st in Chicago, IL, PUFF DADDY, LIL' KIM, MASE, FAITH EVANS, BLACK ROB, 112, TOTAL, CARL THOMAS, THE LOX, FRENCH MONTANA and DMX will take the stage to perform hit after hit, cementing Bad Boy's place as the driving force behind hip hop and R&B music and culture.  Setting the bar for the best of live production and music experiences, Puff Daddy brings together these iconic artists due to overwhelming fan demand for a must-see moment in hip hop history. Tickets for the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour, produced exclusively by Live Nation, will be available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160922/411135

SOURCE Howard University

Related Links

http://www.howard.edu