Stormzy 'proud' of his Cambridge University students

Stormzy, a well-known British rapper, has made a significant impact on the lives of 56 students at Cambridge University through his scholarship program. The Stormzy Scholarship, which began in 2018, was created to support black students from the UK who want to study at Cambridge but may not have the financial means to do so. Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, has expressed deep pride in the students he has helped. He hopes that in the coming decades, some of these students will go on to make groundbreaking discoveries or lead important changes in society, and that they will remember the support they received from his scholarship. Recently, Stormzy was honored with an honorary Doctorate in Law from Cambridge University, recognizing his efforts to promote education and equality. He believes it is crucial for black students to see that attending a prestigious university like Cambridge is a real possibility for them. When he first started the scholarship, Stormzy did not want to meet the students because he did not want them to feel indebted to him. However, after sitting down and hearing their stories, he realized how much the scholarship truly meant to them. Many students admitted that they would not have even applied to Cambridge if the scholarship had not existed. The Stormzy Scholarship covers full tuition and living expenses, thanks to support from his #Merky Foundation and HSBC UK. Destiny Charles, one of the scholarship recipients, recently finished her studies in human, social, and political sciences at Cambridge. She shared that growing up was tough due to financial struggles and immigration issues. Her mother was unable to work, and her father passed away in 2021. Destiny said the scholarship helped level the playing field, allowing her to compete equally with other students. Another recipient, Di'Mario Downer, is studying theology and is the eldest of five siblings. His mother is a single parent, and without the scholarship, many opportunities at Cambridge would have been out of reach for him. The financial support allowed him to focus on his studies and enjoy university life like any other student. Di'Mario believes Stormzy's decision to fund the scholarships shows that he cares about his community and wants to lift others up. Drew Chateau, one of the first students to benefit from the scholarship, now works as a solicitor. Her family faced financial hardship and homelessness, and she never thought Cambridge was a place for someone like her. Drew said that without the scholarship, she might not have completed her degree. Stormzy's mother, Abigail Akweley, attended his degree ceremony at Cambridge and was extremely proud of her son's achievement. She described it as his greatest accomplishment and was moved to tears of joy. Stormzy reflected on his journey, saying that receiving the honorary degree was a full-circle moment for him. He once dreamed of attending Cambridge, became a musician instead, and now works with the university and is recognized for his contributions.

Stormzy's scholarship program highlights the importance of giving back and supporting those who face barriers to education. By using his success to help others, Stormzy has changed the lives of many students and inspired them to pursue their dreams. The students who received the scholarship are grateful and hope to make a positive impact in the future.

The Stormzy Scholarship is an important step toward making higher education more accessible and inclusive. Cambridge University and Stormzy's family celebrate his achievements, and Stormzy remains committed to helping more students succeed. His story is a powerful example of how one person's actions can create lasting change and open doors for others.