“I Promise.” It’s the vow from LeBron James to help kids get into and through college in Akron, OH. James has created a four-year scholarship to the University of Akron called the “Akron I Promise Network” for children from Akron who may have a difficult or challenging background. The scholarship will cover the school’s tuition and fees, which currently amounts to $9,500 per year.
James announced the program on August 13 as a way to give back to the city where he grew up. In his own words, “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.”
The criteria for the scholarships has not yet been announced, as James and the school work together to determine the ultimate criteria. The only ones he knows for sure? They will have to graduate from the Akron public school system having met the standard testing requirements and they will have to have been involved in some community service.
this is all that matters to me! http://t.co/nEMz6na4JN @LJFamFoundation #IKnowMyPurpose #StriveForGreatness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 19, 2015
James’ connection with the University of Akron stems back to his high school days, where he frequently played on their campus courts. Though he himself forewent college to play in the NBA, he knows the importance of college for kids who may not feel like they have the means. “As a kid growing up in the inner city and a lot of African-American kids, you don’t really think past high school… 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,” James said. We’ll keep you up to date here at Good Celebrity when James comes out with more information on the requirements and application process for the scholarship.