The Atlanta Daily World reports that The Painted House, co-founded by Rapper, Ja Rule, and his business partner Herb Rice, is donating $25,000 from initial sales of its first NFT project Black is Beautiful to select HBCU partners.

ICONN Media, the live streaming entertainment marketplace founded by Ja Rule, will match the donation with an additional $25,000 for a total of $50,000 split equally amongst five HBCUs including Jackson State University, Morgan State University, Hampton University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College.  

The Painted House hosted its first check presentation, donating $10,000 to Morehouse College for their “Morehouse in the Metaverse” initiative.   

The donation presentation happened during HBCU NY week at the “On The Yard,” A Celebration of the Black is Beautiful NFT project by artist Nick Davis event hosted by The House of First and The Painted House. Taking place at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club, it consisted of a digital art exhibit showcasing the Black is Beautiful NFT art on all 8 large screen TVs in the Jay Z suite of the club.

In partnership with House of First, The Painted House’s project Black is Beautiful features 1,000 unique, one-of-one collectible NFTs that depict the raw emotions of Black Americans navigating both the joys and struggles of everyday life in America.

According to The Atlanta Daily World, The Painted House has vowed to support HBCUs to further help communities of color with access, education, and insights to empower the next generations of creative minds. Additionally, ten percent of secondary sales will be allocated to an HBCU impact fund which will be selected by community voting and community proposals.