Before jetting off to Los Angeles to join the Lakers, Lebron James held a grand opening on Monday for his new “I Promise” elementary and secondary school in Akron.
Created by the LeBron James Family Foundation, the new school opened up to 240 at-risk third and fourth-graders (they plan to expand to grades 1 through 8 by 2022) who will be receiving a math and science-focused curriculum, as well as regular messages of encouragement from “Mr. LeBron.”
A public, non-charter school, it also will offer job and family services, a GED program, a food pantry, help with housing, and a seven-week summer camp program.
Every student also gets a bicycle because, as the Los Angeles Times reports, when James was a kid he used one to get away the dangerous parts of his community.
Oh yeah, there are also 114 pairs of LeBron’s game-worn sneakers adorning the walls, both for inspiration as well as for one other practical reason: money. Each pair on display will eventually be auctioned off by Upper Deck with all proceeds being used to help fund both the school as well as the LeBron James Family Foundation. Those who are able to snag a pair will also get their name engraved on the school’s wall. (What do you suppose the fair market value of all 114 pairs of sneakers is?)
Nicely done, LeBron. Now if we can only get more multi-millionaires to use their money and status to try to do such good.