1 of 3 | Diddy performs onstage during the 15th annual BET Awards on June 28, 2015. Diddy has opened a charter school in Harlem. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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NEW YORK, March 28 (UPI) -- Hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is set to open a charter school in his native neighborhood of Harlem this fall.
"Creating this school is a dream come true for me. 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," Diddy said in a statement to People magazine about his motivation for building the school.
"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," he continued.
Diddy has reportedly spent the last five years meeting with community leaders and education experts to get the project off the ground in the New York City borough.
According to the school's official site, Capital Prep Harlem is a free, public school for grades 6-12. The institution notes that it will provide "year-round, college preparatory education that develops lifelong learners, leaders, and agents of social change."
"Capital Prep Harlem will open for the 2016–17 school year with 160 students enrolled in the 6th and 7th grades," its description continues.
Diddy last made headlines for taking the number one spot on Forbes annual Hip-Hop Cash Kings list for 2015 beating out the likes of Jay Z, Drake, Dr. Dre and Pharrell after earning over $60 million.