Last fall, Diddy made a grand gesture of donating $1 million USD to Howard University, his former school, signaling his strong support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
However, recent events have taken a startling turn. Following the emergence of a video showing Diddy in a violent altercation with his ex-partner, singer Cassie, Howard University has taken firm action. The institution has stripped Diddy of the honorary degree awarded to him in 2014 and has halted a scholarship fund bearing his name, opting to return the $1 million donation. In their statement, the university emphasized that Diddy’s actions starkly contradict their core values, stating, “Mr. Combs’ behavior… is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor. The university is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.”
Diddy, who dropped out of Howard in 1990 after attending for two years and later served as a commencement speaker, finds his past actions increasingly catching up with him. This year alone, federal agents have raided his properties in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex-trafficking probe. Although he has denied the allegations, the backlash is growing, with many companies distancing themselves from the mogul. This includes media company Revolt, which he co-founded; he has now sold a majority stake.
The future of Diddy’s public image remains uncertain as he faces these significant repercussions.
