A philanthropic gift by a hip-hop icon has led to controversy.
Walter M. Kimbrough, president of Dillard University, has asked in the Los Angeles Times why the money was not given to a struggling black college.
Dr. Dre, real name Andre Young, recently donated $70 million to the University Of Southern California (USC) to create a new blended arts and business degree. Dre himself did not go on to formal higher education. Dr. Kimbrough says:
“A hip-hop icon is now the new black higher-ed philanthropy king. We’ve never seen a donation to rival this from any black celebrity — musician, athlete or actor — and that fact must be celebrated.
“But as the president of a black college, it pains me as well. I can’t help but wish that Dre’s wealth, generated as it was by his largely black hip-hop fans, was coming back to support that community.
“USC is a great institution, no question. But it has a $3.5-billion endowment, the 21st largest in the nation and much more than every black college — combined. Less than 20% of USC’s student body qualifies for federal Pell Grants, given to students from low-income families, compared with two-thirds of those enrolled at black colleges. USC has also seen a steady decrease in black student enrolment, which is now below 5%.
“A new report on black male athletes and racial inequities shows that only 2.2% of USC undergrads are black men, compared with 56% of its football and basketball teams, one of the largest disparities in the nation. And given USC’s $45,602 tuition next year, I’m confident Dre could have sponsored multiple full-ride scholarships to private black colleges for the cost of one at USC.”
