LL Kool J Contributes Annual Scholarship Funding to Chicago State University
Who knew Chicago State University was keeping time with Holywood celebrities. A surprise announcement by rapper/actor, LL Cool J, on a recent Ellen De’Generes show, revealed his philanthropic connection with the south side University.
The rapper turned actor, appeared on NBC's "Ellen" in Nov. to discuss his career, family life and commitment to community and education.
Among other topics, Cool J talked about his work with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and noted that he is personally funding an annual scholarship at Chicago State University.
“I just want to give a quick shout out to the Thurgood Marshall Foundation. I’m funding a scholarship for Chicago State University,” Cool J said on the Nov. 14, 2014 Ellen show.
Named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African-American Justice, Thurgood Marshall, the College Fund was established in 1987 under the leadership of Dr. N. Joyce Payne in cooperation with Miller Brewing Co., Sony Music, the NBA, Reebok and the American Association for State Colleges and Universities and currently support and represent nearly 300,000 students attending its 47 member-schools that include public, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), medical and law schools.
CSU posted Cool J’s act of kindness on its web page, stating, “The entire CSU family extends its sincere gratitude to LL Cool J for his staunch support of our mission to ensure everyone has access to a transformative educational experience.”
Born James Todd Smith, the rapper never graduated from high school or college after signing with Def Jam Records as a teenager in 1984, but last May, received an honorary doctorate degree from Northeastern University. His daughter, Italia Smith, graduated from Northeastern in May.
Following a string of hits—included on albums like Bigger and Deffer, Walking with a Panther, Mama Said Knock You Out, 14 Shots to the Dome, Mr. Smith—LL turned to acting, appearing in movies like B.A.P.S., Halloween H2O and Any Given Sunday, Deliver Us From Eva, the big-budget action flick S.W.A.T, with Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell and Last Holiday opposite Queen Latifah.
Cool J currently is regular on the CBS’s, NCIS: Los Angeles.
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