Everyone knows about Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and his Hall of Fame-worthy basketball career thus far. The Akron teen, now 36, is also known for his generous spirit. He does philanthropic work in low-income areas by deftly employing his fame, authority, and money.
This article will examine James’s charitable efforts outside of the NBA and how they have benefited people in the United States and around the world.
Professional sports icons often use their prominence to influence and help the public – none more so than LeBron James. The Lakers forward has had a significant impact on his hometown of Akron, Ohio by helping to fund the ‘I Promise’ school.
Back when he played for the Miami Heat, James established the ‘I Promise’ program to enhance the schooling environment for youngsters in his hometown. As a result, they decided to back the new school, which plans to offer classes for students in grades 1 through 8 by the year 2022.
His family foundation invested $20m into the public elementary and donates $1m a year to assist pay for teachers’ wages and to help keep class numbers acceptable. The school’s mission is to aid at-risk youngsters, and LeBron aided in caring for and feeding the students during the recent coronavirus pandemic.
James’s organization has promised to award over a thousand college scholarships to deserving students in the years following the children’s graduation. Putting the kids through college would cost close to $41 million.
In 2010, LeBron James gave $2.5 million to the Boys and Girls Club of America, an organization he has supported in the past. After completing an ESPN special called ‘The Decision’, James gave the revenues collected from the broadcast to the nonprofit which conducts after-school projects for young people.
LeBron James’ foundation is also a major supporter to ONExONE and the Children’s Defense Fund, both of whom give food, water, care and education to children in America and overseas.
The four-time NBA champion contributed $2.5 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016 for an exhibit dedicated to Muhammad Ali’s life. James credited his donation to what Ali meant to him – not only as a sporting champion and inspiration, but also for what he stood for outside of the ring.
In addition to his financial contributions, LeBron James has used his celebrity to bring attention to causes like racial and social inequality in the United States. His support for Democratic Party leaders including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden has been vocal. He also established the group “More Than a Vote,” whose mission is to promote and defend the right to vote in the United States.
House 330 is LeBron James’s newest endeavor, and its moniker is a nod to Akron’s zip code. Opening in 2022, it will serve as a community hub for free events and programming focused on financial wellness.
