Today the LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron Public Schools System will open a new elementary school for at-risk children. For more than 10 years Lebron and his foundation have been working to get to this moment and it’s finally here. The school will open with only two grades, third and fourth, and will expand to additional grade levels in the years going forward.
LeBron said in a tweet on Sunday that this could potentially be the greatest moment of his life:
The jitters before the first day of school are real right now!!! Tomorrow is going to be one of the greatest moments (if not the greatest) of my life when we open the #IPROMISE School. This skinny kid from Akron who missed 83 days of school in the 4th grade had big dreams… https://t.co/PwmRaHRfng
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 29, 2018
When the world called Muhammad Ali the Greatest of All Time they weren’t just referring to his ability to box because we’ve seen better boxers. They put him on a pedestal because of the social consciousness that he brought to the world and for all of his willingness to stand up against racism during one of the most volatile eras of our country’s history.
Well playas…when I call LeBron James the GOAT I’m not only referring to his on court ability but off the court accomplishments as well. He’s made enough money during his career that he could easily have separated himself and his family from the ghetto and acted like it doesn’t exist. He could easily try to act like he’s no longer black in America and never stand up for those that are most vulnerable, our children still living in the ghetto.
With all that he’s accomplished for his family he still hasn’t forgotten about Akron, Ohio and the young people still living in at-risk situations. This man has invested millions of his own dollars into this foundation and school along with using his influence to partner with the University of Akron to eventually send the children participating in his I Promise program to college for free starting in 2021.
Ole boy has put together an institute for the kids that are already in high school to prepare them for college. He’s looked out for the parents of these same at-risk children that have not completed the requirements for high school as well. They can now return to complete their high school educations and receive their diplomas.
Let’s keep it real or all the way 100, whichever comes 1st! If you’re still hating on this man you’re a sucka! If you’re a black man or women in America that grew up in ANYBODY’S ghetto or hood and you’re still hating on this man, you’re drowning in self-hate.
One of the most important things in life we all can do is to reach back to help someone get to a better place in life. Having a crabs in a bucket mentality helps none of us succeed in life. LeBron James is using his wealth, power and influence to gather up our young people in Akron to educate the next generation of doctors, lawyers, businessmen and women etc.
He’s not just hoopin’ and making money to floss in front of the hood. He’s giving back to the hood in a meaningful way. There is an old colloquialism that says, “If you give a man a fish he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime.”
LeBron James is teaching folks to fish to feed themselves for generations to come. Just think of how great it would be if a third of our famous wealthy athletes and entertainers did half of what this man is doing in the very communities they came out of. Education is the most powerful thing you can give a person besides leading them to salvation.
That’s why it was so important for slave masters in our country’s early history to make it illegal for slaves to read and write. The power is in education. Why? Because once you have it no one can take it away from you.
LeBron James is a super hero to our community no matter how much those that are drowning in self-hate try to convince you that he’s not. He’s the real life Black Panther! Stop me when I start lyin’!
Playas Thesaurus:
1) Ole boy: noun – the person that I’m currently talkin’ about.
Jay, This is a good piece of work. You are a leader. Hope others around the USA will echo what you are saying.
Doc