Wale Teams Up With First Lady Michelle Obama To Promote Higher Education

The former student at Robert Morris and historically black Virginia State University, which were both on football scholarships, Wale, a D.C. native and nationally known rapper, will perform a concert “as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2015 Beating the Odds Summit” on Thursday, July 23 to promote education. (He also transferred to historically black Bowie State University to “pursue his rap career”, Wale eventually dropped out due to academic reasons.)

Terrence J, host of E! News, and also a graduate of historically black North Carolina A&T State University, will moderate a panel discussion, according to REVOLT. The event will focus on transitioning students from high school to college recognizing 130 college-bound students from “special needs”, and “under-served” experiences.

From REVOLT:

“I’m beyond honored and grateful to be involved in the First Lady’s “Reach Higher” initiative and to have the opportunity to sit down with her, as well as perform for the kids of D.C. I believe that the youth are the first step in creating a better country, so to be involved in a program that aims to enrich their lives is truly the greatest reward,” Wale said in a statement provided to REVOLT. “Having grown up in Washington, D.C., being invited to the White House by the First Lady is a dream come true. Thank you to Mrs. Obama and her entire staff for this opportunity.”

From a statement from the Press Office, the “event will focus on sharing tools and strategies students can use to successfully transition to college and the resources they will need to complete the next level of their education,” and that the students being recognized are students who have, “overcome substantial obstacles to persist through high school and make it to college.”

Recently Wale, who said that the opportunity to be partners with Michelle Obama, and the White House is like “a dream come true”, was named to the HBCU Top 30 Under 30 list by the Buzz because of the impact he has had in music in just a short period of time, and the positive influence he has on historically black college campuses from Howard to PVAMU.

Wale is the only invited musical performer at the upcoming event, according to BET News.

“Having grown up in Washington, D.C., being invited to the White House by the First Lady is a dream come true,” Wale said.

He added: “Thank you to Mrs. Obama and her entire staff for this opportunity.”

Tommy G. Meade Jr. is the Editor-in-Chief at HBCU Buzz. Follow him on Twitter.

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