Diddy shared words of encouragement with the excited students.
"I grew up just like y'all and this was one of my dreams," he said. "To see all of your beautiful faces is touching. I started out just like you guys, I come from New York, I grew up in Harlem. I used to have to wear a uniform every day and had to get up early in the morning and travel to go to school. I worked hard just like you guys are working. This country and this world that we live in may have plans for y'all - I didn't listen to that and I don't want you to listen to it either. Y'all are great. You are kings, queens, and leaders. When we come together as a people nothing can stop us."
Diddy co-founded Capital Prep with educational speaker Steve Perry in an effort to serve underserved students from sixth to ninth grades. The school currently has an enrollment of 200 students and plans to add a grade and facilitate 700 in the future.