Stormzy has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Cambridge’s Jesus College.
In 2018 the Christian rapper and musician set up a scholarship at the university which funds the tuition and living costs of a number of black British students every year. So far, the Stormzy Scholarship has supported almost 70 students and the university says 2025 is set to accommodate the largest cohort so far.
Stormzy, who's 32, was awarded the Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his cultural influence, commitment to social change and work championing educational access and equity. Earlier this year the university also awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Law in recognition of his scholarship programme.
Sonita Alleyne the master of Jesus College, said: “Stormzy is an amazing storyteller, creative mind and champion for social change. His cultural impact is huge. We share many values, including supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to reach their potential, tackling inequalities and using the arts as a force for good.
“In joining the college, we believe he will inspire our current and future students and enrich our community.”
In 2022, Stormzy said he was "extremely blessed and grateful" after receiving an honorary degree from the University of Exeter for his “outstanding achievement in the field of higher education, philanthropy and widening participation".
The rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, was brought up by his Christian mother and has said his “greatest desire is to be a great man of God.”
He frequently references his faith on the public stage, including at this year’s Brits, when he took home the award for Best Grime/Hip Hop, Rap Act. In his acceptance speech he said:"Firstly, I say thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus.
“I want to be very clear about the God I serve, that’s Jesus Christ, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, that’s my God.”
His faith-filled song 'Blinded by your grace' soared into the top ten of the UK's Singles Chart back in 2017 and in 2020, he was given a Sandford St Martin award for his contribution to the public understanding of religion.
Stormzy set up the #Merky Foundation in 2020 which pledges millions of pounds to tackle racial inequality and support justice reform and black empowerment in the UK.