In a stunning announcement that has captured hearts nationwide, soul legend Patti LaBelle has unveiled plans for a $150 million culinary boarding school for orphans and at-risk youth. The project, called The Patti Pie Academy of Soul, will open in her hometown of Philadelphia and aims to blend education, housing, and healing through the art of cooking. For millions who grew up on her music and her famous sweet potato pies, the news feels like a full-circle moment of love and legacy.

Far from a vanity project, LaBelle describes the academy as the most personal mission of her life. “This isn’t about fame,” she said tearfully during a press conference. “It’s about feeding kids the love and stability I never had.” Her voice, steady but emotional, echoed the same strength that once carried her through decades of triumph and tragedy.

The school will offer full scholarships, gourmet culinary training, and mentorship programs designed to prepare students for real-world success. Children will live on campus, guided by chefs, educators, and community leaders handpicked by LaBelle herself. Plans also include a “Soul Garden,” where students will grow fresh produce to use in their own meals — a symbol of nurturing both body and spirit.

Patti’s initiative has already drawn praise from across the entertainment and political spectrum. Stars like Oprah Winfrey, Tina Knowles, and Questlove have applauded her for turning compassion into action. Within hours of the announcement, #PattiPieAcademy was trending nationwide, with fans calling her “the most inspiring voice of 2025.”

LaBelle, now 80, says the project is her way of giving back after a lifetime of blessings. “Music gave me a platform,” she explained. “But food — food is what brings people together.” She hopes the academy will become a sanctuary where children not only learn to cook but rediscover trust, purpose, and joy.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with doors set to open by 2027. The city of Philadelphia has pledged full support, citing the academy as “a transformational gift to the next generation.” For Patti LaBelle, it’s more than philanthropy — it’s her encore to the world.

As she smiled through tears at the end of her speech, one reporter asked what she hoped the children would remember most. Patti paused, placed a hand on her heart, and said softly, “That love can be baked, sung, and shared — one soul at a time.”