Photo credit: (James Keivom/New York Daily News
Sean "Diddy" Combs is continuing to use his platform to invest in tomorrow's leaders.
Back in 2016, Combs opened the Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School in the same neighborhood that he grew up in. Now two years later, the music mogul has pledged one million dollars to expand the Capital Preparatory School's network, who is set to open a new location in the Bronx.
Working with Capital Prep founder Dr. Steve Perry, the Bronx school has been approved to next year with 160 6th and 7th-graders. The school hopes to have 650 students in grades 6-11 over the next five years.
"Our school provides historically disadvantaged students with the college and career skills needed to become responsible and engaged citizens for social justice," Combs explained. "We don't just teach kids to read, write and compute, we teach them how to make a difference and nurture them to be future leaders of our generation."
As of now, the Capital Prep's network includes schools in Harlem and Bridgeport, Connecticut. Perry said of the expansion, "We know that the families in the Bronx deserve a high-quality academic alternative to their current system. In fact, 40% of our applicants to our Capital Prep Harlem school, 600 kids, have come from the Bronx so there is a real need to serve students in this area."
"I came from the same environment these kids live in every day," Combs said in a statement. "I understand the importance of access to a great education, and the critical role it plays in a child’s future."
The Capital Preparatory Bronx Charter School is set to open in September 2019.