LeBron James recently achieved a remarkable feat by breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record of 38,387 points. While athletes usually receive praise for such accomplishments, LeBron James received something even more special – a congratulatory video from his mom, Gloria James, and the LeBron James Family Foundation. This thoughtful message was probably the highlight of his achievement.
On the Instagram page of the LJFF, LeBron James’ mother appeared in a video wearing an L.A. Lakers t-shirt and expressed her immense pride in her son’s athletic achievements. The video featured images of James and his foundation’s program, I Promise, which has been providing life-altering support to young people and their families in Akron since 2011. Even before he won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, James always knew that he would find a way to give back to the community that had given him and his mother so much love and support. The LJFF I Promise Program, named after the promise that James and the kids make to themselves, their families, and their community, has continued to grow over the years and now includes a range of supportive services such as transitional housing, long-term housing, a health center, and a job-training and community center. James’ mother called it “the best part of it all” and promised that there are still more good works to come.
LeBron James’ mother expressed her pride in her son’s work, stating that there are no limits to what he can achieve. This sentiment was echoed by the I Promise program students and the Akron community, who declared February 8 as LeBron James Day. Along with the I Promise School, which provides education for at-risk children, the I Promise Program has a presence in schools across the Akron Public Schools District. Students who complete specific academic and community-service goals become eligible for a four-year college scholarship. The foundation also offers wrap-around services, such as the I Promise Too program for parents of active students who want to earn their GED. Additionally, House Three Thirty, a multi-use center for education, job training, and community gatherings, is set to have a grand opening soon. The foundation is also planning to open I Promise HealthQuarters, a primary-care health center for program participants and the Akron community.
The LeBron James Family Foundation has been consistently expanding its range of beneficial offerings for families involved in the I Promise Program from the time it was established. (Picture credits: the LeBron James Family Foundation)
