The NBA superstar has done one the most selfless and charitable works of the century. Everyone talks about helping kids in schools, offering services, help with tuition, the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, it’s nothing more than gibber jabber. Everyone can talk but it takes a special kind of person to get up, make a move, and make a change. LeBron James made a commitment to education, one he took seriously.
In 2015 the LeBron James Family Foundation, donated 41.8 million to Ohio University of Akron to help pay for scholarships for students. A total of about 1,100 kids were awarded with this scholarship, obtaining a guaranteed 4 years of tuition payed. “These students have big dreams and I’m happy to do everything I can to help them get there. They’re going to have to earn it, but I’m excited to see what these kids can accomplish knowing that college is in their futures” says LeBron James. He gave these kids hope of a future and the tools to strive for greatness, for the unimagined.
A few days ago, news broke out in utter amazement: LeBron James opened the I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio!
According to the foundation website: the schools curriculum was crafted with the help of Akron County educators who say there will be a focus on hands-on STEM education, with an emphasis on developing problem solving skills. Currently, the school is only open to third and fourth grade students but it seems LeBron is looking forward to 2022, when the school will expand from first to eighth grade.
Not only do students get to attend a school run by The King, they also receive:
- Free tuition
- Free uniforms
- Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks
- Free transportation within 2 miles
- Free bicycle and helmet
- Access to a food pantry for their family
- Guaranteed tuition for all graduates to the university of Akron
LeBron even goes further with his desire to help. Offering parents of students job placement services and help acquiring their GEDs.
In an interview with ESPN, LeBron shared that he wanted to start with kids in the third and fourth grade. “Thats where it all kind of starts. And thats where it started for me… so I feel like this is the point where we can kind of get into the minds of kids and let them know that we’re here for them. And I think thats what kids ultimately want, they just want someone to feel like someone cares about them. And thats what we’re trying to do here.”
A great round of applause to The King, LeBron James. Words are just words but a man who can turn his words into actions and in the process strengthen others… now thats man worthy of his title. The King.