Civil rights activist/actor Harry Belafonte pointed some major fingers at Jay Z recently, saying the wealthy mogul doesn’t use his influence or money to help with real issues, but apparently he’s quite wrong! In fact, Hov’s Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation has given away over a $1 million in college scholarships and study abroad programs for students since starting his foundation. More info below!
Marisa Mendez
Laquisha Springer was one of four students to receive one of the Shawn Carter Foundation-Gilman International Scholarships through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The Institute of International Education, or IIE, administered the scholarships in a one-year pilot partnership that was announced earlier this year but has generated surprisingly little publicity since.
In a society where philanthropic support for socioeconomically disadvantaged students in higher education is often seen as the province of rich White men, the Jay Z study abroad scholarships stand out as a refreshing departure from that norm.
Springer praised Jay Z’s program in a chat with Diverse.“It makes me proud, you know, to know that someone who is relatively close to my age and someone I can relate to who’s had to struggle to get to where he is, that he’s investing in my future,” she said.
Since its inception, the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation has awarded $1.3 million in scholarships. Last year, 188 students benefited from the Foundation’s support as well.
Springer, who recognized Jay Z’s massive wealth, had a few words for critics who think he’s not investing enough.
“So I’m assuming people, when they say he’s not doing enough, they’re expecting him to literally help the world,” Springer said. “But for me, personally at least, his foundation has helped me out at lot since I’ve been a scholar.”
