GloRilla Donates $25,000 to Her High School and Surprises Students

GloRilla, one of the hottest rappers of the year, proved she hasn’t forgotten her roots with a generous $25,000 donation to her alma mater, Melrose High School, in Memphis. On December 18, the rapper made a surprise visit to her old school and presented the large donation to fund a new media center in the school’s library. In recognition of her contribution, the school plans to name the media center the Gloria H. Woods Media Center.

The surprise event was kept under wraps, and students were thrilled to see GloRilla back at the school. She expressed how special the donation was to her, saying, “So the fact that I have the ability to do it now, it warms my heart.” Growing up, she had always hoped for a library setup like the one she is now helping to provide.

The $25,000 will be used in various ways to improve the school’s resources and support student success. Here’s how the donation will be allocated:

• $5,000 for flexible, comfortable seating and study areas with allergen-free carpets.
• $5,000 for updated learning software to enhance research and productivity.
• $5,000 to fund Glo Bucks, a student incentive program rewarding grades, attendance, and behavior.
• $5,000 for the GloRilla Mentorship Program, which includes field trips and programs designed to improve student learning and well-being.
• $2,500 to support the Melrose Clothes Closet, providing clothing and toiletries for students in need.
• $2,500 to develop community-building programs through the Office of Family Engagement.

While visiting Melrose, GloRilla also posed in front of a trophy case, recreating a photo taken during her time as a student. She shared the side-by-side photos on her Instagram Story.

GloRilla’s recent success includes her hit single “TGIF,” which was named Time magazine’s Best Song of the Year for 2024, cementing her place as one of the most influential artists today.