COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- Recording artist Prince made a generous donation to a nonprofit group that aims to make sure all children in a Columbia neighborhood graduate from college.
Prince's drummer and Columbia native John Blackwell Jr. presented a check for $250,000.00 Tuesday to Eau Claire Promise Zone officials.
"This gift means that we will move from pioneering to implementation," says Daniel Canada Chairman of the Board for Eau Claire Promise Zone.
Canada says it doesn't matter what neighborhood these children are from or their background, but its all about having the right attitude, "If you will do whatever it takes, then you can achieve, then our children can achieve educational success."
The 501c3 Eau Claire Promise Zone is a 12-neighborhood area that is part of the nationwide "Promise Neighborhoods" movement, modeled after the work of Geoffrey Canada and his Harlem Children's Zone. Geoffrey Canada visited Columbia in January and said that if the program is working in Harlem it can work in Columbia and families in the Eau Claire can already see that happening.
"The parents learn how to console the kid, it teaches us how to make them go to bed on time, to talk to them and basically be better parents," says Derrick Armstrong, father of two.
Prince and the New Power General performed shows in Columbia, Charleston and Greenville last month.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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