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Michelle Obama Teams Up With Wale for Education Initiative

The rapper will speak and perform for students at Thursday's Beating the Odds Summit.

First Lady Michelle Obama has tapped Wale for her Reach Higher education initiative that will promote higher education and career opportunities for young adults. The program will invite more than 130 college-bound students to the 2015 Beating the Odds Summit in Washington, D.C. These students will represent at-risk, special needs, homeless, foster and other underrepresented youth.

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Wale is set to appear at the White House this Thursday to speak with the students and treat them to a show.

“I’m beyond honored and grateful to be involved in the First Lady’s ‘Reach Higher’ initiative and to have the opportunity to sit down with her, as well as perform for the kids of D.C.,” Wale said in a statement. “I believe that the youth are the first step in creating a better country, so to be involved in a program that aims to enrich their lives is truly the greatest reward. Having grown up in Washington, D.C., being invited to the White House by the first lady is a dream come true. Thank you to Mrs. Obama and her entire staff for this opportunity.”

Other participants at the Beating the Odds Summit will include Brown University student Manuel Contreras, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and E! News co-host Terrence Jenkins.

To learn more about the Reach Higher program, visit whitehouse.gov/reach-higher.

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(Photos from left: Larry French/Getty Images, Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Dodge)

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