Comedian Dave Chappelle will be performing in Washington, D.C. to raise funds for Duke Ellington School.

Dave Chappelle, the renowned comedian, is coming back to his roots in Washington, D.C to show his support for the arts school that played a crucial role in launching his career. As an alumnus of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Chappelle will be headlining a special benefit event at DAR Constitution Hall on September 25th. This fundraiser is part of the school's exciting 50th-anniversary celebrations and aims to raise funds for the Donal Leace Endowment Fund, as well as other programs that provide support to the talented students at the school.

The Donal Leace Endowment Fund was established in honor of the late Donal Leace, who was the chair of the Theater Department at Ellington. Leace was not only a teacher of theater history and public speaking, but he also served as a mentor to many students, including Chappelle and the acclaimed opera singer Denyce Graves. This endowment fund is vital in supporting theater instruction, productions, and performance opportunities for the next generation of students.

Moreover, the money raised from this benefit event will also contribute to the efforts of building Ellington's permanent endowment. This endowment will ensure the long-term funding of arts education, training, and student opportunities. Principal Sandi Logan expressed her pride in the school's achievements over the past 50 years, stating, "Ellington has spent five decades proving that when young artists are given access, mentorship, and opportunity, they can change the world." She also emphasized the importance of investing in the students' creativity to shape our culture for the next 50 years and beyond.

Established in 1974, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts is a public arts high school in Washington that offers a unique combination of college-preparatory academics and professional arts training. The school's nonprofit fundraising arm, the Ellington Fund, plays a crucial role in financing various arts programs, including master classes, productions, scholarships, wellness programming, and other resources that are not covered by public funding from the District of Columbia. Apart from being an alumnus of Ellington, Dave Chappelle is also a highly acclaimed artist who has won five Emmy Awards and six Grammy Awards.

In 2019, he received the prestigious Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the NAACP President's Award in 2025. Other notable alumni from Ellington include the likes of Ari Lennox, Corey Hawkins, Samira Wiley, Clifton Powell, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Johnny Gill. Tickets for the benefit event are available through Live Nation, and all the proceeds will go towards supporting the students at Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

In conclusion, Dave Chappelle's homecoming to Washington, D.C., is not only a celebration of his incredible success but also a testament to the significant impact of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. With its rich history and notable alumni, Ellington continues to pave the way for young artists and shape the future of the arts in our society.