Music mogul Sean Combs, aka Puff Daddy, aka P Diddy, aka Diddy Love, has made some great contributions to the world of music, fashion and libations (Ciroc and DeLeon).
He even won a BET Lifetime Achievement Award this week.
Congrats to our favorite bad boy @diddy for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award! #BETAwards #CulturesBiggestNight #BET pic.twitter.com/U6oRVVSmRH
— BET (@BET) June 27, 2022
The former Uptown Music intern-turned-Bad Boy Records CEO has been at the top of the entrepreneurial mountain for nearly 30 years. The former Howard University student completed two years at the legendary HBCU before leaving for the internship with Uptown Records that changed his life. Known as a trendsetter, Diddy loves the spotlight and the opportunity to show his staying power.
During his acceptance speech at the BET Awards, Diddy thanked a ton of folks who helped along his incredible journey. The “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” producer even pledged some cash to his HBCU alma mater, and to Deion Sanders and the Jackson State Tigers football program.
“I want to donate a million dollars to Howard University. Also I’m gonna drop another million dollars on Deion Sanders and Jackson State, because we should play for us. Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart, I love y’all — peace.”
This is a kind gesture for Diddy to help out two legendary HBCUs It would be great if other Black people of influence and affluence would do the same.
Larry Scott Speaks On Behalf Of The Bison
Howard head football coach Larry Scott spoke to HBCU Gameday in the aftermath of the announcement.
“Hurry up, write the check, baby, and then the next check. I think that’s great. I think that’s awesome. But I also think — to your point — of how some of that energy is being refocused back into not only Howard, but a lot of HBCUs.
Scott is hoping to restore some glory at HU. The program hasn’t really been competitive the last few seasons, finishing 3-8 under Scott last season. In fact, the Bison haven’t had a winning season since 2017 (7-4) under then-head coach Mike London.
They haven’t had back-to-back winning seasons since 1997-98 under head coach Steve Wilson. So a donation like this could do wonders on the recruiting trail and facilities.
“The importance of … what it means to give and the importance of how that type of donation and the type of giving impact that can make on the program and on the university as a whole, but more importantly, the young people that are figuring their way out and navigating that on a daily basis,” Scott added. “So I think that’s huge. That’s impactful. That’s game-changing type donations that can really elevate, our program, our university, and our brand to higher heights.”
Jackson State thanks Diddy in a tweet:
We want to thank @Diddy for the tremendous love and support to our Dear Ole College home 🙏🏾 #IBelieve #JSU #LOVE pic.twitter.com/NCVyNAD5jZ
— Jackson State Football (@GoJSUTigersFB) June 27, 2022
This is the type of stuff Deion Sanders has talked about since he assumed the Tigers head coach position in September 2020.
Do what you do and the rest will take care of itself is what Sanders has been preaching. In his short time down in Jackson the Pro Football Hall of Famer has helped change the narrative as it pertains to HBCUs and Black college football. From a recruiting, visibility and exposure standpoint, his work has been second-to-none. Sanders even called out other HBCU programs for their lack of social media interaction, saying many haven’t been active since their spring games.
He’s adamant about making sure the JSU Tigers are heard from every day in some capacity. The entire football program is consistent with social media. That means everything, and undoubtedly also could’ve played a role in Diddy’s announcement to bless the football program with the donation.
We are changing the game❗️🐅 #IBelieve #JSU #COTY2x pic.twitter.com/CXPqEXDr6w
— Jackson State Football (@GoJSUTigersFB) June 9, 2022
The Tigers are set to defend their SWAC championship under Sanders, the reigning Eddie Robinson Award winner (FCS Coach of the Year). They’ve landed some big-time recruits via signing day and the transfer portal. None bigger than 2022 No. 1 overall recruit Travis Hunter, who’s commitment to the Tigers shook up the college football world.
If you let Coach Prime tell it, stay tuned, there’s so much more in store in Jackson and for HBCUs all over.
