Nelly Sends Youth to College with Scholarship Fund

Rapper Nelly hit up his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri Sunday (Dec. 6) to host his fourth annual Black and White Ball where he announced his new scholarship fund. The 'St. Lunatic' along with Lindenwood University's Black Student Union and Plaza Motors announced the launch of the 2010 Black and White Scholarship Program. The fund offers two deserving young people a full scholarship to Lindenwood University, in neighboring St. Charles, Missouri. "I feel like I don't have a choice to do this," he said. "This is something that I must do." The recipients of the scholarship were also announced at the event.

Held at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Nelly's family and famous friends Jermaine Dupri, Mario and The Isley Brothers, were all in attendance. Now in its fourth year, previous performers and attendees at the black tie event have included Janet Jackson, Evander Holyfield, and Allen Iverson.

Aside from his music career Nelly also puts time into his other philanthropic efforts. He founded the non-profit organization '4Sho4Kinds Foundation' and in 2003 he launched 'Jes Us 4 Jackie' campaign to educate African-Americans about the need for bone marrow donors, alongside his sister Jackie Donahue who died of leukemia in 2005.