Sean "Diddy" Combs is extending his lengthy list of achievements and endeavors by opening a charter school in Harlem, where he was born.
The 46-year-old rapper and entrepreneur will open The Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School in time for the fall 2016 school year. He has been searching for the perfect crew of educational partners and community leaders for about five years now and has finally created the school of his dreams.
"Creating this school is a dream come true for me," he said. "I want to impact the lives of young people in my community, and build future leaders. The first step is offering access to a quality education. Every young person should have the tools they need to succeed. All our children should be able to pursue their dreams. That is something I can impact with this school."
Dr. Steve Perry, who is the founder of Capital Prep Magnet School in Hartford, Conn., will oversee the school while Danita Jones, an Orlando, Fla.-based educator, will act as the inaugural principal. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, who is an author and spiritual life coach known for working with Oprah Winfrey on several occasions, and Reverend Georgiette Morgan-Thomas will also be on the school's board.
"I'm inspired by Sean Combs' belief that educating out young people is the key to opening up a world of opportunity for them," said Perry. "Sean and I have spent many long hours over the last five years talking about education and how best to meet the needs of the young people of Harlem, and I couldn't be more pleased to continue this journey through the opening of the school."
Combs has been working on his vision of a school featuring the best education models out there since 2011. When he discovered Perry's Capital Prep program, he knew he was the right leader and expert to help him establish the program. Diddy's school in Harlem will be a free, public charter school.
"Providing grades 6-12 with a year round, college preparatory education that develops lifelong learners, leaders and agents of social change," the official website reads. The school is located on East 104th Street and 5th Avenue and is currently accepting applications until April 1 for the 160 6th and 7th grade students it plans to enroll. They plan to add a grade each year until the school has 700 students. It is located in the same building in East Harlem as El Museo Del Barrio and Museum of the City of New York.
Diddy is known for donating money to organizations and doing all he can to help communities dealing with major issues. He reportedly earned $60 million last year because of all his investments, which include Ciroc vodka, water bottle company AQUAhydrate, RevoltTV and his clothing line Sean John.
Earlier this year, he and actor Mark Wahlberg, who he co-owns AQUAhydrate with, donated 1 million bottles of water to the people dealing with the Flint water crisis.
