LeBron James is a 17x All-Star, 4x NBA champion, and has made over $1 billion throughout his career.
The part you didn't know?
@KingJames is also going to send thousands of kids to college tuition-free, changing lives & transforming his hometown.
Here's the incredible story 👇
The part you didn't know?
@KingJames is also going to send thousands of kids to college tuition-free, changing lives & transforming his hometown.
Here's the incredible story 👇
1) First, let's discuss the problem.
LeBron James is from Akron, Ohio, which, unfortunately, is one of the poorest cities in the country.
Poverty Rate
Akron, Ohio: ~25%
US Average: ~10%
The solution? Education.
LeBron James is from Akron, Ohio, which, unfortunately, is one of the poorest cities in the country.
Poverty Rate
Akron, Ohio: ~25%
US Average: ~10%
The solution? Education.
2) Everyone loves to talk about how college is no longer necessary & how you can easily learn just as much online.
But the reality is that education continues be the biggest contributing factor to success, wealth, and prosperity within our country.
It's the great equalizer.
But the reality is that education continues be the biggest contributing factor to success, wealth, and prosperity within our country.
It's the great equalizer.
3) But children that grow up in poor neighborhoods have a significantly lower chance of receiving that education.
Poverty leads to a lower graduation rate, which compounds for generations & destroys communities.
It's a vicious flywheel that is difficult to break.
Poverty leads to a lower graduation rate, which compounds for generations & destroys communities.
It's a vicious flywheel that is difficult to break.
4) Here's the data:
Students from low-poverty high schools are 2.5x more likely to earn a degree within 6 years of HS graduation (53%) than their counterparts from high-poverty schools (21%).
And that’s if they even graduate high school.
But this is where @KingJames comes in.
Students from low-poverty high schools are 2.5x more likely to earn a degree within 6 years of HS graduation (53%) than their counterparts from high-poverty schools (21%).
And that’s if they even graduate high school.
But this is where @KingJames comes in.
5) LeBron launched the "I Promise" campaign in 2011.
The concept was simple — identify young children in Akron, Ohio that are at risk of not graduating high school & provide them the guidance they need to accomplish it.
The interesting part?
That was just part of the plan.
The concept was simple — identify young children in Akron, Ohio that are at risk of not graduating high school & provide them the guidance they need to accomplish it.
The interesting part?
That was just part of the plan.
6) Seven years after starting the I Promise program, LeBron opened the I Promise School.
So, rather than identify at-risk children & monitor them from afar, the school could bring them in-house, guide them along & increase their chance of success.
The perks aren't bad either.
So, rather than identify at-risk children & monitor them from afar, the school could bring them in-house, guide them along & increase their chance of success.
The perks aren't bad either.
7) Now, 10 years after launch, the "I Promise" inaugural class graduated this year.
The best part?
All 193 students were awarded free tuition to either the University of Akron or Kent State University.
Even better, that same tuition-free promise applies to all 1,500+ students.
The best part?
All 193 students were awarded free tuition to either the University of Akron or Kent State University.
Even better, that same tuition-free promise applies to all 1,500+ students.
8) LeBron is also opening House 330, a 60,000-sq-ft facility located just blocks from the I Promise School.
Akron parents receive:
• Job training
• Financial literacy
While their kids have access to a sports complex, including 3 basketball courts, a soccer field, and more.
Akron parents receive:
• Job training
• Financial literacy
While their kids have access to a sports complex, including 3 basketball courts, a soccer field, and more.
9) But the real genius behind this program is the free tuition to Akron University.
It removes the largest deterrent to HS graduation (inability to afford college) and it also increases the probability that the educated stay in Akron.
That's what will transform the community.
It removes the largest deterrent to HS graduation (inability to afford college) and it also increases the probability that the educated stay in Akron.
That's what will transform the community.
10) In a world that often relies on instant gratification, @KingJames is playing the long game.
By investing in the foundation of his hometown, LeBron will help thousands of kids go to college & change families for generations to come.
That will be his biggest accomplishment.
By investing in the foundation of his hometown, LeBron will help thousands of kids go to college & change families for generations to come.
That will be his biggest accomplishment.
11) If you enjoyed this thread, you should:
1. Follow me @JoePompliano; I tweet interesting stories like this every day.
2. Subscribe to my free daily newsletter, where I give a detailed analysis on topics involving the money and business behind sports.
huddleup.substack.com
1. Follow me @JoePompliano; I tweet interesting stories like this every day.
2. Subscribe to my free daily newsletter, where I give a detailed analysis on topics involving the money and business behind sports.
huddleup.substack.com
12) None of this would be possible without his success on the court and in business — that's a thread on its own.
Investments include:
• Beats
• Blaze Pizza
• Liverpool FC
• Boston Red Sox
• SpringHill Company
• Lobos 1707 Tequila
Read more 👇
Investments include:
• Beats
• Blaze Pizza
• Liverpool FC
• Boston Red Sox
• SpringHill Company
• Lobos 1707 Tequila
Read more 👇
https://twitter.com/joepompliano/status/1344461016147628038?lang=en
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