Charles Barkley will reportedly donate $1 million to ALS research in the state of Alabama. Barkley was motivated to make the donation after his former Auburn University teammate, Gary Godfrey, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019. In addition to donating $1 million to ALS research, he has also donated $1 million to the following historically Black universities: Bethune-Cookman University and Jackson State University.
“We are very thankful and look forward to working with Mr. Barkley to facilitate this generous gift,” Yolanda Owens of Jackson State University told Clarion-Ledger.
“We appreciate his acknowledgment of Jackson State University and the great work that goes on at our institution. Because of his generosity, JSU will have an opportunity to support institutional priorities at a greater level and continue the efforts to elevate the university.”
Barkley has repeatedly made sizeable donations to various nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Over the years, he has offered financial gifts to Morehouse College, Miles College, Spelman College, Auburn University, Tuskegee University and several other entities.
“I’m just so incredibly humbled by what he’s done. It’s just a big thing. He’s my NBA brother. It’s a small fraternity,” Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Director Reggie Theus said, per HBCU Gameday.
“I was actually surprised. I didn’t know this was coming.”
