MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and the ex-wife of Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos, has donated $20 million to Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles.

Dr. David M. Carlisle, CEO and president of the university, said in a statement, “CDU has been on a tireless pursuit to cultivate diverse health professional leaders dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations. This investment will advance that goal by providing resources to support and enhance our outstanding education, research, clinical service, and community engagement.”

Benjamin Quillian, PhD, Chair of CDU’s Board of Trustees, also added, “The mission of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is noble, and it takes noble people like MacKenzie Scott to help bring it to fruition. This kind act will have a ripple effect that starts with our students and ends with improved health outcomes in under-resourced neighborhoods.”

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Founded in 1966, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is the only HBCU west of Texas.

In total, MacKenzie Scott has donated more than half a billion dollars to historically Black colleges and universities.