Abel Tesfaye has won a grammy and enjoyed international fame under his moniker “The Weekend” but the Toronto native has not forgotten his community or his roots and has done something astounding!

The Ethipoian-Canadian RnB star has given $50,000 to the University of Toronto to support the establishment of an Ethiopic Studies program.

The Bikila Awards organization asked him without being sure he would even respond and he stood up and did more than just respond!

Tam Gebeyehu, board member of the Bikila Award spoke to the Toronto Star saying:

“It’s unbelievable,” . “He grew up in Toronto as an Ethiopian-Canadian, and now he’s giving back to the community.

”

The Bikila Award is named after Ethiopian Olympic hero Abebe Bikila. He won gold twice running barefoot in the marathon in the 1960s.

The organization supports and grows academic, professional and business excellence among Ethiopian-Canadians.

Aside the RnB star’s donation the UofT professor of the Department of Historical and Cultural studies pledged to donate k of his own money pending finding a matching Ethiopian donor.

So, that’s where “The Weekend” stepped in!

He won the Bikila Award award back in 2014 for “Professional Excellence”

Read more: http://on.thestar.com/2aZXxED