King James is winning where it really counts.
In a world where even the most private inclinations off the rich and famous are plastered onto social media for the approval or criticism on the masses, it’s very difficult to be in the general good graces with the general population all the time.
But for LeBron James, it seems to be quite simple, or at least that’s how he makes it look. While being the best player in the NBA has afforded him all the accolades anyone could have dreamed, his off the court moves are on an entirely different level.
We all have heard about all the positive things that have been going on at LBJ’s I Promise School. Well, things just got even crazier as James announced that his school has been award $1 million thanks to Dick’s Sporting Goods and the company’s Sports Matter Initiative. The money will be used to build a new gymnasium at the I Promise School.
According to a press release, Dick’s Sporting Goods’ program is meant to offset the billions in school sports budget cuts that have occurred across the country and that impact low-income school districts the most.
The effort is meant to address the funding crisis by encouraging physical education and promote after-school sports as well, both of which have been shown to positively benefit student health, self-esteem and emotional well-being over the long term.
The award was revealed in a surprise announcement at James’ alma mater St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
“To my kids, this is more than a gym,” James said. “The Dick’s Sports Matter program is helping us provide even more opportunities. An opportunity to play and learn in a safe place that many don’t have access to. I can’t imagine where my friends and I would be if it weren’t for the coaches and teachers who cared about us and the opportunities we had.”
In April, a New York Times report indicated that 90 percent of the school’s students met or exceeded individual growth goals in district assessments, outpacing students across their Akron, Ohio, district and marking “extraordinary” test-score improvement from when the school opened in July 2018.
Poor kids in a well-funded school are doing better than expected? Who would have thought? (Insert sarcasm here.)
