Lebron James is clearly aware of the socio-economic issues the children of Akron are dealing with saying “This is very special to me. As a kid growing up in the inner city and as an African-American kid, you don’t really think past high school because it’s not possible or your family can’t support you.” This is the role that Black athletes have to take.
Last month, Lebron James announced that his foundation would donate $41 million to cover tuition at the University of Akron for 1,100 Ohio high school graduates.
For many years programs have trained kids, without taking into account that the kids parents may also need help. Programs can not continue to teach and train disadvantaged youth, without training the parents of these children as well. In large part this is due to a lack of funding, but in some cases directors of these programs just do not realize the importance of educating the parents of the children they are helping.
If parents are not able to help their kids due to their lack of education, it makes it a lot harder for programs to help children to succeed academically.
Lebron is not only giving these parents an opportunity, he is also providing them with the tools necessary to be successful. Adults will receive Hewlitt-Packard laptops they can keep if they finish the classes and free bus passes and parking to attend class.
When one has the ability to change peoples lives by using their influence, and resources and they actually do it, we have to acknowledge it.