Howard University announced its decision to finally revoke the honorary degree granted to Sean “Diddy” Combs following a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees.
The HBCU’s decision comes on the heels of a recently released video of the music mogul savagely beating his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a Las Vegas hotel back in 2016.
After the video leaked, Combs shared an apology video on social media, taking responsibility for the beating and claiming he had sought out help to overcome the “darkest time” of his life.
“I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses,” he said back in May. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now.”
Since November, after Ventura sued Combs for rape and physical abuse (which he quickly settled within 24 hours for an undisclosed amount), Combs has been named in eight lawsuits.
“The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014. This acceptance revokes all honors and privileges associated with the degree. Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University,” a statement via the Board of Trustees reads.
The Board has mandated the administration terminate Combs’ 2016 gift agreement with Combs, which means returning his $1 million contribution and disbanding the scholarship program named after him. Howard will also terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
Combs has not issued a public statement addressing Howard’s decision.
