The Howard University Board of Trustees has unanimously decided to revoke the honorary degree conferred on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2014. This action follows the release of a 2016 surveillance video by CNN, showing Combs physically assaulting his former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
In addition to rescinding the degree, the historically Black college or university based in Washington, DC, announced the termination of its scholarship program named after Combs.
“This revocation includes the withdrawal of all honors and privileges associated with the degree,” stated the Howard University Board of Trustees. The Board has instructed that Combs’s name be removed from all records listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.
The University further stated, “Mr. Combs’ actions, as seen in the recently released video, are fundamentally at odds with Howard University’s core values and beliefs, rendering him unworthy of the institution’s highest honor. The University stands firm against all forms of interpersonal violence,” the board added, directing attention to the school’s “Interpersonal Violence Prevention” webpage.
Additionally, the Board has directed the termination of a 2016 gift agreement with Combs, the disbanding of the scholarship program in his name, and the return of his $1 million contribution. Howard University will also terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation, which had pledged $1 million. As of this date, no funds had been transferred under that pledge.
This decision comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the former Bad Boy Records music mogul. Combs has faced eight lawsuits since November, including accusations from Ventura of years of abuse and rape in 2018. While Combs has denied many of the allegations, he has not responded to all the claims.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s investigative arm has initiated a federal probe into Combs and allegations of sex trafficking, with investigators searching his Los Angeles and Miami homes on March 25. No federal criminal charges have been filed against him to date. The surveillance video released by CNN could become a crucial piece of evidence in the federal investigation.
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