Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • 2025 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • News

Diddy's Son Justin Becomes The First In The Family To Graduate College

Sean "Diddy" Combs watches his eldest son, Justin, become the first to graduate in the family.
Diddy's Son Justin Becomes The First In The Family To Graduate College
Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
By Rachaell Davis · Updated October 27, 2020

Sean “Diddy” Combs is one of the most successful entertainment moguls in the industry today, but he can now add another important title to his list as the proud father of a college graduate.

The 2016 ESSENCE Festival headliner beamed with excitement on Thursday as he sat alongside his son Justin’s mother, Misa Hylton, and snapped a pic while anxiously awaiting his firstborn’s walk across the stage to receive his degree from UCLA.

Look at my boy! FACT MY SON JUSTIN COMBS IS THE FIRST IN MY FAMILY TO GRADUATE COLLEGE!!! IM SO PROUD OF YOU BOY!!! @princejdc

A photo posted by @iamdiddy on Jun 9, 2016 at 8:21pm PDT

6 Bad Boy Family Reunion Highlights That Got Us Hype for Puff Daddy & the Family at ESSENCE Fest

Describing the moment as “one of the greatest days” of his life, Diddy was also proud to reveal that Justin is the first in the Combs family to graduate college in a heartfelt Instagram post from his personal page.

The proud father also thanked Justin’s mother Misa for “doing such a wonderful job” in raising their son in a separate social media post, a sentiment echoed by Justin himself when he gave a touching speech before a crowd of family and friends at his graduation party shortly following the ceremony.

Yesterday was one of the greatest days of my life! Really proud of this kid right here @princejdc I love you son. Congrats! This is where the fun begins! I will have always have your back!! #FamilyFIRST

A video posted by @iamdiddy on Jun 10, 2016 at 10:02am PDT

Although he stopped just short of completing his college education to focus on building his career, Diddy famously attended Howard Unviersity for two years after high school and was later awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the prestigious HBCU in 2014.

Justin’s siblings and grandparents were also on hand to help celebrate his special day. He is the oldest of Diddy’s six children.

WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.

Diddy's Son Justin Becomes The First In The Family To Graduate College

&body=https://www.essence.com/news/diddys-son-justin-becomes-first-family-graduate-college/" target="_blank" class="email">