The future of education in Compton, California, looks stronger than ever, with significant support from will.i.am. As UPROXX Studios’ Chief Visionary Officer, he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s new Centennial High School earlier this month, a facility designed to house more than 1,000 students. The event featured a notable gathering of local legends, including Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre—both of whom are alumni of the school—alongside U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters.
“We are going to build jobs, careers, and industries with this technology because we know the problems that have never been solved,” will.i.am remarked during the ceremony. For Dr. Dre, the occasion was deeply personal. “Today is really nostalgic for me. Sometimes you hear that term ‘full circle.’ This is really a full-circle moment for me because I did actually attend this high school. Well, sometimes I attended. I was enrolled, I was here, sometimes,” he joked.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the project, Dr. Dre emphasized a shift in perspective regarding community investment:
“I’m making a commitment, and that commitment is to let go of the notion of giving back. Instead, I’m embracing the power of investing forward. Today isn’t just about a new building, it’s about a promise kept to the city that made me… This groundbreaking is where the vision we’ve shared for years finally hits the pavement. We aren’t just moving dirt today. We’re investing in the next generation that’s coming straight out of Compton.”
Construction on the new Centennial High School is currently underway and is expected to be completed by 2029.
