Howard University Revokes Diddy’s Honorary Degree and Returns His $1M Donation
The Howard University Board of Trustees has unanimously decided to rescind the honorary doctorate awarded to Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2014, following the emergence of a troubling video.
The decision came in response to a 2016 surveillance video, recently published by CNN, which shows Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
In addition to revoking Combs’ honorary degree, the historically Black university based in Washington, D.C., announced the termination of the scholarship program established in his name.
The Board’s statement emphasized that this decision nullifies all honors and privileges associated with the degree. Combs’ name will be removed from all university documents listing honorary degree recipients.
“Mr. Combs’ behavior as depicted in the recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is no longer deemed worthy of the institution’s highest honor,” the Board stated.
“The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.” The statement included a link to Howard’s “Interpersonal Violence Prevention” webpage for further context.
Furthermore, the Board has instructed the administration to end a 2016 gift agreement with Combs, disband the scholarship program in his name, and return his $1 million donation.
Howard will also terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation, which had promised an additional $1 million. As of now, no funds have been paid under this pledge.
This announcement comes amid escalating controversy involving Combs, a once-revered music mogul of Bad Boy Records. Since November, Combs has been implicated in eight lawsuits following Ventura’s settled claim accusing him of years of abuse, including a 2018 rape allegation.
Subsequent lawsuits have accused him of various acts of sexual misconduct and other illegal activities. While Combs has denied many of these claims, he has not addressed all allegations.
Adding to his legal troubles, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s investigative division has launched a federal investigation into allegations of sex trafficking against Combs.
On March 25, investigators conducted searches of his homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of this probe. As of now, no federal criminal charges have been filed, but the surveillance video disclosed by CNN could potentially serve as evidence in the investigation.
Howard University Revokes Diddy’s Honorary Degree and Returns His $1M Donation
