Kenya Barris & Wife Donate $1 Million To Clark Atlanta University

Kenya Barris & Wife Donate $1 Million To Clark Atlanta University

Cut the check! This week, writer and producer Kenya Barris and his wife Rainbow donated one million dollars to their alma mater, Clark Atlanta University. The gift will be called the “Kenya and Rainbow Barris Annual Scholarship Award” in which half will support mass media majors and the other half will help students who major in biology.

Barris hopes his gift of one million dollars will help set the precedent for other alumnus to donate to their alma maters and hopes to ignite more gift giving from alumnus who attended Clark Atlanta University. This is the first gift that Clark Atlanta University received that has reached the million dollar mark.

On Instagram, Kenya posted a video of himself speaking at the commencement on Monday, with the caption,

“DUDE!!!! I’m soooo proud to have been able to speak to my Alma Mater CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY at the 2018 Commencement Ceremony!!! I HAD A BALL!!!! #cau #dreamingawake #lookkidsitsdaddy”

DUDE!!!! I’m soooo proud to have been able to speak to my Alma Mater CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY at the 2018 Commencement Ceremony!!! I HAD A BALL!!!! #cau #dreamingawake #lookkidsitsdaddy

A post shared by Kenya Barris (@kenyab_in_imax3d) on May 22, 2018 at 9:07am PDT

Dr. Ronald A. Johnson, Clark Atlanta University President in statement, 

Mr. Barris has lifted his powerful voice in the entertainment industry to explore issues of classism and racism in creative and humorous ways.In giving back to their alma mater, he has again used his powerful voice to articulate the importance of supporting this beloved institution that is giving our students the skills and confidence to find and lift their own voices in the field of their choice.

The black-ish creator graduated with a mass media arts degree in 1996. His wife is also an alumni of the university having graduated with a degree in biology. She later became a well-known anesthesiologist for a top medical group in Los Angeles, before deciding to devote all of her time raising their six children.

Kenya Barris, Black-Ish cast

After his graduating, Barris went on to write for televisions shows such as Sister/Sister, The Game, and Girlfriends and also helped create America’s Next Top Model with Tyra Banks. His movie credits includes writing for “Barbershop: The Next Cut” and co-writing for the hit comedy “Girl’s Trip.” Barris also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the May 21st commencement.

Barris currently has a three-year deal with ABC write and develop future projects. His latest project includes the production of grown-ish, spin-off of black-ish, and focuses on the Johnson family’s eldest daughter who is attending college.

Sweet!

By: Jeanine Cruz