LeBron James has announced that his Family Foundation and business partner, Maverick Carter will donate $2.5 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Washington to support a new Muhammad Ali exhibit.
In a recent interview with USA Today, James explains, "Muhammad Ali is such a cornerstone of me as an athlete, because of what he represented not only in the ring as a champion but more outside the ring — what he stood for, what he spoke for, his demeanor [...] I think of him every day. Without his passion and goals and morals, I don’t know if I’d be sitting here today talking to you about it."
Despite being listed as one of the world's disliked athletes after his actions during his free agency period in 2010, James has made quite the comeback reputation-wise in recent years. Whether one agrees with his political affiliation or not, doesn't strip from the fact that he is a devoted activist for his community and nation.
For over a decade, the city of Akron, OH, has cooperated with the LeBron James Family Foundation to raise money, supplies, and awareness for the importance of education.
In the early years of the LJFF, James started off with an annual bike giveaway. Soon, it blossomed into Wheels for Education — a program dedicated to keeping young students on the path to receiving a high school diploma in his hometown.
Most recently, he ensured that students enrolled in his program will receive a full four year scholarship to the University of Akron upon completion of community service hours and meeting academic requirements.
While James received his fair share of criticism, there's little doubt that even during his time with The Miami Heat, he still kept his homeland near and dear to his heart. He is an active supporter for several national organizations that benefit children, including the Boys & Girls Club of America and OneXOne. Although that decision tampered with his reputation, his philanthropic decisions are what show his true character.
In response to the generous donation, the museum's founding director, Lonnie Bunch, reminds the community of it's influence on young minds. “It’s also really important that actions like this by Mr. James encourage younger athletes and people with means to recognize the philanthropy and paying homage to those who went before, how crucially important that is,” Bunch says.
When people talk about the legacy that is LeBron James, much of the discussion consists of on-the court achievements. What many fail to realize is that his off-court contributions mean just as much, if not more to him than anything he ever accomplished as an athlete.
He's used his celebrity status to promote change in his hometown, a place known to need positive reform as much as any other. Not only is James changing the lives of families in his hometown by preventing them from becoming a negative statistic, but he's influencing young minds across the world to stay in school, stick to what they love, and stay involved in the quest for social justice.
