Cardi B donates $100,000 to her former Bronx middle school during a surprise visit

Rapper Cardi B visited her former middle school in the Bronx and left a hefty donation for the arts.

On Tuesday, the Grammy Award-winning rapper surprised students gathered in the auditorium of IS 232 in Morris Heights. Surprised children clapped as she walked down the aisle. He then gave a speech to the students about the impact of his experience at the school.

“A lot of teachers were really hard on me because they saw something in me,” she said. “I was kind of a bad kid, but I was very special to a lot of those teachers and I still hold them in my heart.”

Cardi also surprised students and IS 232 Principal Desiree Resto by pledging $100,000 to fund arts programming at her alma mater.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Cardi B back home to IS 232 #InTheBronx, and we’re so grateful for her generous support of her alma mater,” said Schools Chancellor David Banks. Tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “Cardi B’s $100K commitment to the arts will help school kids reach their full potential. Thanks, Cardi!”

After his announcement, the Bronx native answered questions from students and took a group photo with students and school staff.

On Wednesday, Cardi posted a video of her visit and said she had originally planned to surprise the students but had to delay her visit due to COVID-19. She said she will visit other schools in Brooklyn and Queens and will soon announce a secret project she has been working on for the past two years.

“This middle school, IS 232 in the Bronx, holds a very special place in my heart!! It turned me from an 11-year-old girl into a young adult,” she wrote. Instagram. “Kids in the Bronx have to grow up fast in our environment and our environment. While some 11-13 year olds still live in this Disney world, these kids have to grow up fast and fast. I went through a lot as a kid when I went to school here.

She added that she hopes her donation “can help create an amazing after-school program that will help kids stay off the streets or out of troubled homes and most importantly, That they learn something they can carry with them through life.”