Rapper Stormzy has received an honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Cambridge in recognition of his work supporting Black British students into higher education. The 31-year-old artist was praised for his “transformative” efforts through the Stormzy Scholarship, which provides funding for Black UK students to attend the prestigious university.
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Launched in 2018, the Stormzy Scholarship has so far supported 56 undergraduates with full tuition and maintenance grants. The initiative is backed by his #Merky Foundation in partnership with HSBC UK. Speaking about the honour, Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice highlighted the scheme’s “transformative impact” and said the university was “proud to recognise his work”.
Stormzy, whose full name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, was one of eight figures to be recognised with honorary degrees. Professor Prentice added that each recipient had made “an extraordinary contribution to their field” and continued to “inspire people in Cambridge and around the world”.
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Other honorary degree recipients included actor Sir Simon Russell Beale and American academic and activist Professor Angela Davis, both of whom were awarded Doctorates in Letters. Former UK Supreme Court justice Lady Arden of Heswall and Olympic gold medallist Dame Katherine Grainger were also honoured with Doctorates in Law.
