Tag: LeBron James Family Foundation

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.

[lawrence-related id=36425,36422]

 

LeBron’s ‘I Promise’ children’s book debuts at No. 1 on New York Times best seller

The Los Angeles Lakers star released his first Children’s book last week and it is already a New York Times bestseller.

While LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers are getting back on the court tonight in the NBA Bubble, looking to even their best-of-seven series against the Portland Trail Blazers, James accomplished another first off the court.

Last week, LeBron James released his first-ever children’s book “I Promise,” which was done in collaboration with illustrator Nina Mata. And after one week on the shelves, or at least the virtual shelves, LeBron has himself a New York Times bestseller. On Thursday, the Times released their latest bestseller list for Children’s books, where LeBron’s “I Promise” was the No. 1 selling book in the country.

James has been published before, but this book was his first foray into the space of children’s books. James has another book in the works that will focus on speaking to middle-aged children, so this book is just the start of a new aspect of LeBron’s still growing influence off the court.

[lawrence-related id=33837,33818]

 

 

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.

[lawrence-related id=33338,33333]

 

 

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.

[lawrence-related id=30066,30057]

 

LeBron James wins Kids Choice award and UNINTERRUPTED gets Webby noms

LeBron James won Kids Choice awards over the weekend and his media company UNINTERRUPTED received two Emmy nominations.

Although LeBron James would likely be playing in the playoffs right about now under normal circumstances, LeBron and one of the brands closest to him came away with some awards and award nominations over the weekend.

LeBron James won two awards from the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, including Male Athlete of the Year and “Generation Change” recipient for his work with the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, which began schooling in the summer of 2018. James accepted the award last night and shared that he would be sending the Kids Choice Awards to the I Promise School for them to be there whenever students are able to return.

LeBron’s athlete-focused sports media company UNINTERRUPTED also received two Webby nominations for their work. The nominations were for “Best Overall Social Presence” in the category of Sports, while they also earned a nomination for “Best Social Campaign: Diversity & Inclusion” for their campaign called “Love Is Uninterrupted,” featuring Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe.

[lawrence-related id=15844,29512]

 

LeBron James helping put on ‘Graduate Together’ for 2020 Class

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is putting on a graduation event for students nationwide amidst the coronavirus.

Perhaps more than basketball itself, the biggest passion in the life of LeBron James is probably education. School is often one of the metaphors that LeBron reaches for when he wants to make a comparison and it was a time in his life, especially in high school, that he associates with some great times in his life. He wants to make sure that other kids who are graduating in a bizarre situation in 2020 have something that makes them feel special under the circumstances.

LeBron James announced via his social channels on Wednesday that his LeBron James Family Foundation would be teaming up with the education company XQ to provide a “Graduate Together” event that will air on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC on Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m.

The Class of 2020 won’t have the opportunity for a traditional graduation ceremony with a walk alongside their classmates, sharing a final moment with their teachers before they move on to their next life. Also, they will not have the moment to celebrate the accomplishment that it is in the way that classes before them had. Although it won’t be the same, LeBron is working to make sure the Class of 2020 has its moment.

[lawrence-related id=28965,28878]

LeBron James partners with Old El Paso for Taco Tuesday challenge

LeBron James and his UNINTERRUPTED company are doing a Taco Tuesday challenge for athletes to provide tacos to their communities.

Last week LeBron James and his LeBron James Family Foundation provided over 1,000 meals to families as part of a new Taco Tuesday initiative that is intended to feed families from the “I Promise” school and others in need. And as LeBron has usually found a way to do with his charitable efforts, he found a brand to help pay for it and it’s now evolving into something else.

LeBron’s UNINTERRUPTED partnered with Old El Paso to create the “Taco Tuesday” challenge, in which athletes will provide their communities with meals while also challenging other athletes to do the same for their respective communities.

After LeBron was challenged, he passed the challenge on to NFL star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was recently traded from the Houston Texans to the Arizona Cardinals.

[lawrence-related id=28970,28633]

Bronny James enlists whole family for James Family TikTok

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and his family are staying busy by helping their son Bronny make TikTok videos.

LeBron James and his family are doing their best to keep themselves entertained as they self-quarantine. LeBron has resorted to watching old games, even ones from high school, while also going on Instagram Live for the first time and answering questions from fans. His son Bronny has also managed to keep the family busy by enlisting various members of the family to join in TikTok challenges. On Saturday night, with everyone still at home again, Bronny got the entire James family to participate in one of the latest TikTok challenges, which has also been done by Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, and their family.

Bronny himself has already generated a strong following on TikTok, having 2.1 million followers, in large part because of he and his brother Bryce posting videos pretty often, as well as their adorable sister Zhuri. Bryce also has a TikTok account, but they deem it the James Family account, meaning that it’s managed by LeBron and Savannah. Bronny also stayed busy last night playing Call of Duty with a bunch of NBA players.

[lawrence-related id=28442,28431]

 

LeBron James to author ‘I Promise’ children’s book, out in August

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is adding children’s book author to his already extensive resume of achievements.

Even though the Los Angeles Lakers are still a few days away from resuming their regularly scheduled season, the world of LeBron James is constantly in motion. On Tuesday, news broke that James, in addition to his basketball and entertainment exploits, will add children’s book author to his resume after signing a two-book deal with publisher HarperCollins, with the first set to release in August of this year.

“I Promise” by LeBron James, featuring illustrations from artist Nina Mata, will be LeBron’s first children’s book. The book, according to a press release, is inspired by the values that LeBron champions at the I Promise public school in Akron, Ohio.

“Books have the ability to teach, inspire, and bring people together. That’s why these books, and the opportunity to get children and parents reading together, mean so much to me,” said LeBron James. “Most importantly, we wanted to make sure these stories are ones that every single kid can see themselves in. I PROMISEis powerful in that way and I can’t wait for people to read it.”

The book is already available for pre-order. The “I Promise” school and program has had a busy couple of weeks, with Kent State University guaranteeing full tuition to the first graduating class of the “I Promise” network.

[lawrence-related id=26799,21182]

 

 

LeBron James says giving kids college options ‘best thing I’ve ever done’

The Los Angeles Lakers star was asked about the latest news that Kent State offered scholarships to LeBron’s first I Promise class.

After another strong performance by LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in last night’s win over the Denver Nuggets to push them into the All-Star break, James finally had some time to reflect on a major accomplishment for one of his biggest off-court endeavors.

On Wednesday, the LeBron James Family Foundation shared a video that showed the first graduating class from the I Promise program, which will graduate next summer, receiving four-year scholarships to Kent State University. This gesture from Kent State is a separate offer from the commitment from the University of Akron, which gives I Promise students full tuition.

James said that being able to help these kids from when they were young to now when they are able to have multiple options of tuition-free college is the best thing he’s ever done.

LeBron is proud of his incredible basketball accomplishments but as he has been vocal about for over a decade now, he hopes that what he creates outside of basketball as an impact that’s even bigger.

[lawrence-related id=26799,24642]