Stormzy is helping 30 more Black students go to Cambridge University

Stormzy has shared plans to fund scholarships for 30 more Black students at Cambridge University.

In partnership with HSBC, Stormzy’s #Merky Foundation will provide 10 students with a £20,000 annual scholarship to cover tuition fees and maintenance costs. The programme will run across three years.

The effort is an extension of the rapper’s outreach scheme, the Stormzy Scholarship, which was launched in 2018.

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So far, the programme has supported six Black students - two of whom are set to graduate this year- throughout their studies.

In a statement, Stormzy said: “For 30 more Black students to have the opportunity to study at Cambridge University – the same year our initial 2018 scholars graduate – feels like an incredible milestone.

“I hope this scholarship continues to serve as a small reminder to young Black students that the opportunity to study at one of the best universities in the world is theirs for the taking.”

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According to the University of Cambridge's Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Virgo, the institution has seen a “significant increase” in the number of Black students applying and being admitted since the scholarships were announced three years ago.

Meanwhile, the #Merky Foundation — Stormzy’s charity aiming to tackle racial inequality and injustice — has contributed to the Black Heart Foundation’s ‘Each Day. Every Day.’ campaign, which helps young people from under-resourced communities access higher and further education.

This year, Stormzy’s publishing offshoot #Merky Books will release its first children’s title. Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength will highlight a number of prominent figures across underrepresented communities. Amongst the 50 included, the book will feature author Candice Carty-Williams, actor Riz Ahmed and former football Ian Wright.

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The book will be presented in comic book style, with illustrations from 21-year-old student Denzell Dankwah and text by Sophia Thakur. Stormzy himself will provide an introduction.

8% of the proceeds will go towards the #Merky Foundation.

Safi Bugel is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter