Black Eyed Peas open Youth Academy in San Jose

The Black Eyed Peas have opened their fifth Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy in San Jose.

will.i.am and his 'Just Can't Get Enough' bandmates launched the first Youth Academy in New York City earlier this year and plan to expand the franchise across the US.

The Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academies offer their students after-school classes in art, music and film.

Taboo, Fergie and Apl.De.Ap appeared at the San Jose campus's grand opening over the weekend and explained that they are honoured to help children develop their artistic talent.

Fergie said: "People helped us in different ways in our lives to get to where we are today... We just hope that we can be that angel [that others] were for us."

Watch Fergie discuss the Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academies below:



More than 300 students are expected to enroll in San Jose's Academy.

The Black Eyed Peas announced last week that they will hold a benefit concert for Fergie's husband Josh Duhamel's flood-ravaged hometown of Minot, ND.

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Watch the Black Eyed Peas perform 'Where is the Love?' below: