The Weeknd is giving back to his community in a major way.
The Canadian singer has donated $50,000 to the University of Toronto. The money will go towards a program that the university is launching on Ethiopian Studies.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, was born in Scarborough, Canada but his parents are Ethiopians who migrated to Canada. The R&B singer made the announcement on Twitter on Saturday.
“1 – sharing our brilliant and ancient history of Ethiopia. proud to support the studies in our homie town through @UofT and @bikilaaward,” he tweeted.
1 – sharing our brilliant and ancient history of Ethiopia. proud to support the studies in our homie town through @UofT and @bikilaaward
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) August 6, 2016
Weeknd also encourages others to donate to the program.
2 Link to more info: https://t.co/dOzbJ3LVZp
Link to donate:https://t.co/QcK4zR5e2b
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) August 6, 2016
The Weeknd’s donation was matched by University of Toronto professor, Michael Gervers, who donated $50,000 of his own money.
“It’s unbelievable,” Tam Gebeyehu, a board member of the Bikila Award organization, told The Star. “He grew up in Toronto as an Ethiopian-Canadian, and now he’s giving back to the community.”
