Lil Durk announces Durk Banks Endowment Fund with Howard University, Amazon Music

New initiative will provide two students from Chicago with $50,000 scholarships

Lil Durk has announced The Durk Banks Endowment Fund, a new scholarship aimed at providing exceptional students from his hometown of Chicago with scholarships to Washington, DC’s world-renowned Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Howard University. Developed together with Rotation, the hip hop and R&B brand from Amazon Music, and Neighborhood Heroes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Durk, the fund will provide two students with $50,000 scholarships toward their freshman year enrollment at Howard.

In addition, Neighborhood Heroes and Durk are also donating an additional $250,000 directly to support students from Chicago receiving Howard’s Graduation Retention Access to Continued Excellence (GRACE) Grant, which provides additional funding to students enrolled at the university with the greatest financial need, with the goal of to helping students stay in school and graduate on time.

Durk will reveal the first two recipients of the scholarship at a surprise concert at Greene Stadium at Howard this afternoon (Fri, Apr 14th). Part of the university’s 2023 Springfest, the two students were selected from a group of 20 students currently participating in Neighborhood Heroes’ HBCU College & Career Readiness Cohort, a program for 10 male and female students who have been matched with mentors at Howard.

“I feel it’s my responsibility to reach back to the kids—especially those that are growing up in my community,” states Lil Durk. “These kids have to be our biggest investment as they’re our future leaders. They are destined for greatness and I’m encouraging others to join my team’s efforts to help pave their way.”

“We are incredibly grateful to be the recipients of such generous support from Lil Durk, the Neighborhood Heroes Foundation, and Amazon Music. Not only did they lend their support to the premier event run by and for Howard University students, but they also left a lasting impression by offering a gift that will continue to benefit Howard students for a long time to come,” adds Cynthia Evers, PhD, vice president for student affairs at Howard University. “This meaningful partnership will benefit Howard students facing the biggest hurdles to financing their education and we truly appreciate this support for our Bison!”

The students participating in the program are currently at Howard University for Springfest 2023 and are meeting with the HBCU’s faculty, staff, and students and were selected in conjunction with CHAMPS Mentoring and Phalanx Family Services. Neighborhood Heroes’ mission is to empower and collaborate with everyday heroes who are taking the lead to make positive change in the lives of those within underresourced neighborhoods across the nation.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com