Imagine being in the same room with the First Lady of the United States of America, and The King of the NBA. The presence of one is enough to get you excited, but both? That's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As if it couldn't get any better, imagine hearing this:
"There is nothing to stop you from making your dreams come true. This man is going to pay for every single one of you to go to college. He knows you're worth it. I know you are worth it."
These are the exact words spoken to over 2,000 students and their on-looking parents as they visited Akron University to meet the influential Michelle Obama along with Akron native and basketball superstar LeBron James. This event was held as a kickoff for the First Lady's Reach Higher Campaign, a plan to encourage students to go beyond their high school years and attain a college degree. This new initiative, paired with the LeBron James Family Foundation 'Wheels for Education' program and the University of Akron's PROMISE Network, is a recipe for success when it comes to the future of any student in the Akron Public school system. In short, it's a plan to pay for the education of students who meet specified standards, achieve acceptable test scores, and meet certain criteria throughout their high school years.
Akron is not only the city that James was born and raised in, it is also a city of immense need. Approximately 27.5 percent of Akron residents are living in poverty. About 25 percent of high school students in Akron do not graduate. That's one in every four students, if you didn't do the math already. A large portion of that remaining 75 percent of students do not go on higher education for a variety of reasons, but predominately because of a lack of financial resources. With the promise of an education that will be rewarded to hardworking students, those numbers will dramatically change. James was not the only guest during the event that faced adversity growing up. Our First Lady grew up on the South side of Chicago, and experienced challenges of her own. I can't think of a more powerful pair of people to take control of this mission.
Giving the youth of Akron a chance at a brighter future reveals the true loyalty LeBron James has for his hometown. As Mrs. Obama put it, "we love this man because of the man he is, not because of the athlete he is. He is a role model." James has continuously contributed to the Akron/Cleveland area for as long as he has been able, including the years he was in Miami (sorry haters, but it's true). He takes pride in the city that made him, and is insistent that each and every child growing up in Akron has the potential to reach their goals. Along with this, he recognizes the need for a college education to thrive in today's society.
On Oct. 21, 2015, James and the First Lady made the far-off college dreams of many young people a probable reality. Each student who attended that rally has a new sparkle in their eye that will not be diminished. If two of the most powerful people in America believe in these children, we all should. Thank you to our First Lady and King James, for spreading hope, encouragement, and love to the children of this nation. They are the future, and it will be brilliant.
