Tag: I Promise School

LeBron James stopped by the I PROMISE School and the reactions were everything

Wholesome content alert: A viral video shows the kids’ reactions when LeBron James visited the I PROMISE School.

A much-needed viral video of good spirits and good vibes showed the excitement of students at the I PROMISE School in Akron, Ohio when LeBron James took a recent visit to the school his foundation supports.

Whether it was a boy simply (and perhaps subconsciously) invading the personal space of the athlete in awe, a girl with her mouth agape or a camera angle below a child’s face that gives a glimpse at just how tall the NBA star is, students’ reactions and cheers reverberated through the school in a video posted to the school’s Twitter account.

In every clip, there’s a new funny and wholesome reaction to see:

Maybe the best reaction was this kid, who just didn’t quite know what to do with himself with James entered the room.

James quote-tweeted the videos a few times, some with laughing emojis, one with a series of hearts and a crown, and another with a message of love back to them.

The school opened in 2018 and will eventually teach first through eighth graders.

Though James’ Los Angeles Lakers failed to make the playoffs after going 33-49 to finish in 11th place in the Western Conference, James is still able to see his impact with visits like these.

LeBron James Family Foundation announces new ‘House Three Thirty’ community center

As part of his continued investment in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, LeBron James is helping redevelop an iconic space for his community.

In his continued investment back into his community of Akron, Ohio, the LeBron James Family Foundation, the organization behind initiatives like the I Promise school, On Tuesday, the LJFF announced their latest initiative in helping revitalize the Akron community, by turning one of its landmark restaurants into a community center for I Promise families.

The LJFF announced on Tuesday they’d purchased the old Tangier Restaurant building, which was once one of the biggest restaurants in the nation. They were famous not only for their food but also for having legendary acts come through their doors, such as James Brown, Tina Turner, and Fats Domino. The Tangier will now be used for a variety of purposes including recreation, job training, and retail spaces, with the help of a variety of LeBron’s partners in the I Promise community.

Below is a breakdown, from the LeBron James Family Foundation, of what to expect in House Three Thirty by 2022.

  • Financial Health with JPMorgan Chase –A dedicated space where Chase bankers can offer specialized financial advice and products to help more families get on a path to financial health.

  • Sports Complex from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation – The top level of the venue’s parking structure will be converted into a sports complex for physical activities and other year-round indoor/outdoor events for the I PROMISE School, I PROMISE families, and the whole community.

  • Fast Casual Dining with Old El Paso – Old El Paso will help build out at a full-service, fast casual dining space that will bring families together and serve quick meal options, provide space for family-led programming, and help I PROMISE family members get hands-on job training.

  • J.M. Smucker HomeTown Hall –Providing an indoor dining space for large gatherings, the venue’s J.M. Smucker HomeTown Hall will host family meals and community conversations.

Other planned amenities include retail space, a coffee bar, lounge, private card room, ice cream parlor, cabaret and other resources that provide unique experiences for the community and additional job-training opportunities for I PROMISE families.

LeBron’s investment in the city of Akron begins with education but he’s also trying to help empower the families of the students to make sure the entire family has opportunities for growth and success.

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LeBron James named ‘Game Changer of the Year’ in People’s Choice Awards

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was named the ‘Game Changer of the Year’ by E’s People’s Choice Awards.

While the Los Angeles Lakers have already made moves to improve their team in the early days since the NBA lifted the trade moratorium, LeBron James himself has won yet another award that recognizes both his greatness as an athlete but also his influence in the political, social, educational and entertainment spheres.

On Tuesday, E! announced that LeBron James is the winner of the 2020 People’s Choice Awards ‘Game Changer Award.’ In addition to winning the NBA championship and founding a non-profit focused on making it easier for Black citizens to vote, James also saw the formation of The SpringHill Company, which included an investment of $100 million.

LeBron has been focused on being the best basketball player he can be while also trying to change the status quo on what’s expected of athletes. There should be no doubt that he is doing so, becoming a business mogul while still being at the top of his chose profession.

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LeBron James and ‘I Promise’ students to grace front of Wheaties box

Wheaties announced on Wednesday that LeBron James and his I Promise students will be on the front of Wheaties boxes.

While LeBron James is now only one win away from his 4th NBA Championship and his third title with a different franchise, there’s one team that always is on his mind that isn’t in the NBA: this I Promise school family at the I Promise school in Akron, Ohio. LeBron and the students from his school will be in grocery stores across the nation as they will be the latest to grace a Wheaties box.

Wheaties, the iconic cereal brand that always puts athletes on the front of the box, will feature LeBron James and the students from the I Promise school on the box as well.

James was up on campus, showing off the new Wheaties box from inside the NBA Bubble as well after a late night on Tuesday, knocking off the Miami Heat in a grueling Game 4 win. LeBron James and the Lakers are up 3-1 in the NBA Finals, with a potential closeout game scheduled for Friday.

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LeBron James Family Foundation students part of Lakers virtual crowd

Ambassadors from the LeBron James Family Foundation were a part of the virtual crowd in Wednesday’s game against Oklahoma City.

This summer is unlike any other and usually, right around now, LeBron James and the LeBron James Family Foundation would be planning on their usual family reunion. But even in the middle of the pandemic, LeBron James found a special way to give a treat to the student ambassadors of the LeBron James Family Foundation and also students of the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio.

In Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, student ambassadors, and students who are part of the I Promise community were included in the virtual crowd for what was considered a Lakers home game.

The Lakers have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference after their win on Monday against the Utah Jazz, but they still have an opportunity to get better and a special crowd who deserves a great performance as well The Lakers should be in a tough game, as Oklahoma City is poised to make the postseason.

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Families at ‘I Promise’ village to have weekly Taco Tuesdays, starting this week

August 4 will be the first of many Taco Tuesday’s for the families who are staying at the I Promise village in Akron, Ohio.

With the school year approaching and the status of school across the country still in a state of flux, LeBron James and his I PROMISE school continues to go above and beyond the call of duty to support the families that are part of their school.

Earlier this summer, the first families and students moved into the I PROMISE village, which is meant to serve families who are facing housing insecurity and homelessness. In addition to the I Promise village, families there will get weekly Taco Tuesday meals from Old El Paso, who provided Taco Tuesday meals to I Promise families throughout the pandemic.

“The families we work with often have had their worlds turned upside down by unforeseen circumstances that have put them in an insurmountable situation with no way out. We want to help remove some of those barriers that have held them down and put them in a situation where they can thrive – and most importantly, where they can be together while they get back on track,” said Michele Campbell, Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. “We have always understood the value of family meals and bringing people together around the table to engage in deeper conversations. We’re so excited about this partnership with Old El Paso that will help us continue to provide those weekly hot meals and an ongoing tradition for our families to enjoy as they learn and grow together.”

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First families close to move-in at I PROMISE Village near Akron school

The LeBron James Family Foundation showed moments of families moving into the temporary housing created by the I PROMISE school.

As the I PROMISE public school in Akron, Ohio continues to expand its programs and reach throughout the community for families in need, outside of the school day. One of the ways in which the IPS is helping families outside of the classroom is through providing transitional housing for families who are currently houseless or in distressing living situations. The families are expected to move in shortly and the LeBron James Family Foundation showed photos earlier this week of people bringing beds into the facility, which is being created in partnership with Graduate Hotels.

Graduate Hotels specializes in creating hotels near college campuses, so being in charge of a living situation near a school is right in their wheelhouse.

“Initially, our work was focused on helping these kids earn an education. But we’ve found that it is impossible to help them learn if they are struggling to survive – if they are hungry, if they have no heat in the freezing winter, if they live in fear for their safety,” said LeBron James back in November when the initiative was announced. “We want this place to be their home where they feel safe, supported, and loved, knowing we are right there with them every step of the way as they get back on their feet.”

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LeBron James enjoys Memorial Day Weekend bike ride in L.A.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James enjoyed his weekend with a little bike ride through the streets of Los Angeles.

LeBron James might otherwise be playing in the Western Conference Finals right now but due to the coronavirus pandemic, he’s been at home like most of us for the past few months, save for a few socially distanced workouts with Lakers teammates. But don’t think for a second the extra time at home hasn’t allowed LeBron James to reconnect with another one of his first loves: the bicycle.

While the NBA broke their silence this weekend about negotiating with Walt Disney World for a single-site return, LeBron was spending Saturday of the memorial day weekend riding a bike in the streets of L.A., much to the delight of fans who were also out and about enjoying the holiday weekend.

LeBron loves bikes and has said so many times over the years. Having a bike was crucial to him getting around as a youth in Akron when his mother was working and all students at the I Promise school all received bikes of their own so they can get around as well.

 

LeBron James delivers commencement speech for Class of 2020

Los Angeles Lakers star and ‘Graduate Together’ executive producer LeBron James had a special message for the class of 2020.

After weeks of announcements and promises about the 2020 class, LeBron James delivered in a big way with ‘Graduate Together,’ pulling together guests from all over who could speak to the class of 2020 and celebrate them for their accomplishment. LeBron announced Kevin Hart and Barack Obama as speakers, with Obama delivering the keynote address, but LeBron wasn’t just the producer of the show, he was also the de facto host. So LeBron made sure to have his own speech for the students who will be going on to new challenges.

James was introduced by one of the LeBron James Family Foundation 330 ambassadors and Class of 2020 member, Ervin Odom.

After he woke up this morning, LeBron was still thinking about all of the students who are graduating this year.

Education is one of the most important passions in LeBron’s life and last night he brought that passion to the nation, giving everyone something to share.

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LeBron James announces Barack Obama as ‘Graduate Together’ speaker

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James announced that his ‘Graduate Together’ ceremony landed the 44th President of the United States.

When LeBron James announced last week that he was helping put together “something special” for the graduating class of 2020, who will all not be able to graduate in the traditional way due to the state of the country under coronavirus, when he announced the “Graduate Together” ceremony that will air on all four major networks, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok on May 16. Although a graduation ceremony with LeBron James would rank as pretty cool for most, LeBron announced another huge guest who will be part of the ceremony to honor the 2020 class: President Barack Obama.

James confirmed that bringing Obama to the program was the “something special” he had been working on.

The LeBron James Family Foundation is teaming up with the educational nonprofit XQ to provide a “Graduate Together” event that will air on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC on Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m.

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