Hip hop/fashion mogul Pharrell Williams is paying it forward in a big way after he offered the graduating class of Harlem’s Promise Academy summer internships following their first year of college.
The Grammy award-winning producer was a keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony for the 2019 class of the Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy. During his speech, he surprised 114 high school graduates with an opportunity to intern with him during the summer after their first year of college.
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“Let me be clear. For every member of the 2019 graduating class is guaranteed an internship waiting for them — you — next summer,” Williams said to thunderous applause from the graduates and their families.
According to patch.com, the theme of William’s commencement speech focused on a “new Harlem Renaissance with education at its core.”
“It’s one thing to be ‘woke,’ another to be awake, leaned in and engaged,” Pharrell said.
“The world is watching Harlem, but this renaissance will be different,” said Williams during his speech. “Believe it or not, with respect, it’s going to actually be better and the reason why is because the new Harlem Renaissance has education at its core.”
After the ceremony, the father of three took to Twitter to announce the big news.
“We are in the midst of the new Harlem Renaissance with education at its core. Which is why I’ve promised an internship next summer for every student of the @hczorg Promise Academy #ClassOf2019, all of whom were accepted to college.”
We are in the midst of the new Harlem Renaissance with education at its core. Which is why I’ve promised an internship next summer for every student of the @hczorg Promise Academy #ClassOf2019, all of whom were accepted to college. 🌍💛🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/P9IcvVA69a
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) June 27, 2019
Take a look at the full video clip below.
