Howard University’s board has voted to strip hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs of his honorary degree amid a storm of controversy surrounding allegations of abuse.
The decision comes after CNN released CCTV footage last month showing Combs hitting his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, in a hotel hallway.
The historically Black university in Washington D.C., which awarded Combs the degree in 2014 following his commencement address, issued a statement on Friday condemning his actions.
“His behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor,” the statement read.
Following the video’s release, Combs issued an apology, stating, “I was disgusted when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry.”
The university’s actions extend beyond revoking the degree. They have also terminated a scholarship in Combs’ name and a 2016 “gift agreement” – a $1 million donation made through his Sean Combs Foundation. The foundation did not respond to requests for comment.
Howard University stated that Combs’ name would be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients, emphasizing, “The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.”
This development is part of a larger controversy surrounding Combs. Four women, including Ventura, have filed lawsuits accusing him of sexual and physical abuse. While Ventura’s lawsuit was settled in November, Combs has vehemently denied all sexual assault allegations.
In December, Combs defended himself against what he called “sickening allegations” from “individuals looking for a quick payday,” stating, “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”
The saga took another turn in March when federal agents raided two of Combs’ houses as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation. His lawyer described the action as an “unprecedented ambush” and a “gross overuse of military-level force,” maintaining his client’s innocence.
