The board of Howard University, a historically-black university in Washington DC, has made the decision to strip Sean “Diddy” Combs of his honorary degree following the release of a CCTV video showing the hip-hop producer hitting an ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway.
In a statement released on Friday, the university expressed that Combs’ behavior, as depicted in the video, is not in line with the institution’s core values and beliefs, leading to the revocation of his highest honor. The rapper issued an apology after the video surfaced, expressing his disgust at his actions and seeking professional help and therapy.
Howard University also announced the termination of a scholarship in Combs’ name and a 2016 gift agreement, which included a $1 million donation made through his foundation. The Sean Combs Foundation has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Furthermore, the university stated that Combs’ name will be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients, emphasizing their unwavering opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.
This decision comes amidst ongoing legal battles for Combs, with four women, including his former long-time partner Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, filing lawsuits accusing him of sexual and physical abuse. While Ventura’s lawsuit was settled in November, Combs has denied all allegations of sexual assault, describing them as “sickening” and vowing to clear his name.
In March, federal agents conducted raids on two properties owned by Combs as part of an investigation into sex trafficking. His lawyer denounced the raids as an “unprecedented ambush” and maintained his client’s innocence in the matter.
The news of Howard University’s decision to strip Combs of his honorary degree has sparked conversations about accountability and consequences for individuals accused of abusive behavior, shedding light on the university’s commitment to standing against interpersonal violence.
