If you keep up with LeBron James, you know that he has a foundation that is very prevalent in the state of Ohio. Specifically in the city of Akron where James is “just a little kid from”.
The self proclaimed “just a kid from Akron” has done all he can to give back to his city. His foundation has been an inspirational linchpin in the city, and they are taking that step further to give the kids a chance to get a College education. The LeBron James Foundation and the University of Akron will team up to give the kids of Akron an opportunity to get a 4-Year scholarship.
The NBA star has partnered with the University of Akron to provide a guaranteed four-year scholarship to the school for students in James’ ”I Promise” program who qualify. The scholarship will cover tuition and the university’s general service fee – currently $9,500 per year.
”It’s the reason I do what I do,” said James, who announced the program Thursday while hosting an event for students at Cedar Point Amusement Park. ”These students have big dreams, and I’m happy to do everything I can to help them get there. They’re going to have to earn it, but I’m excited to see what these kids can accomplish knowing that college is in their futures.”
”It means so much because, as a kid growing up in the inner city and a lot of African-American kids, you don’t really think past high school,” said James, who bypassed college to jump to the NBA. ”You don’t really know your future. You hear high school all the time, and you graduate high school and then you never think past that because either it’s not possible or your family’s not financially stable to even be able to support a kid going to college.”
I personally am part of a family where none of my immediate family has gone to University. But what’s different from my situation and the situation that some African American kids go through, the kids that LeBron is trying to help. They are simply in a community where University is rare. They’re born and raised with the assumption that because they live in Akron, you have to be an athlete or super smart to go get higher education.
Things like that is unfortunate. But it’s initiatives like these that will change the way of thinking, you can go to College, you can get higher education.
