Cardi B is giving back to the school that helped instill in her a lifelong love of learning and music.
The rapper returned to her former middle school, I.S., 232, the Alexander Macomb School in Morris Heights in the Bronx, to surprise them with a $100,000 donation to help their arts department. While there, she also met with students, speaking to them about the importance of education and hard work, and the fundamental role that middle school played in her life. In a clip of the speech she gave posted online, Cardi says, “This school means a lot to me, more than any school I’ve ever been to. The decisions you make now are very pivotal.” The Grammy winner was also joined for the occasion by New York City schools chancellor David C. Banks and K. Bain, the founder and executive director of Community Capacity Development, a nonprofit social justice organization.
Cardi later shared two videos from visit on Instagram. She wrote a long heartfelt message in the caption, sharing, “So, I was trying to do this last year but couldn’t because of all the COVID rules at the time. This middle school, IS 232 in the Bronx, has a very special place in my heart!! It turned me from an 11 year old girl into a little teenage adult. Kids in the Bronx have to grow up quickly do to our circumstances and our environment. While some young teens like around 11-13 still live in that Disney world, these kids have to grow up fast and QUICK.”
The WAP rapper continued, “Like a lot of these kids i went thru so much while I was going to school here. Experiences that changed me forever and made me who I am today. I hope my donation can help create an amazing after school program that will help kids stay out the streets or a troubled home and most importantly allow them to learn something that they can take with them through LIFE. Thank you Community Capacity Development @ccdworldwide and K. Bain for partnering with me to also visit different schools and programs in Queens and Brooklyn. I love being able to help young kids however I can and I can’t waiiiittttt to tell y’all what I’ve been working on for the past two years. It’s something super close to my heart and I can’t wait to share very soon.”
In January of this year, Cardi also gave back to her community following a devastating Bronx apartment fire that left 17 people dead, offering to pay the burial costs herself. In a statement, she said, “I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still. So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal. I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.”