Michael Jordan Donating $100 Million For Racial Equality
Jun 5, 2020, 3:28 PM
Michael Jordan (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Michael Jordan is donating $100 million toward “racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.” Teamed with the Jordan Brand, the NBA Hall of Famer announced the donation after protests have spread across the world after the death of George Floyd.
Jordan’s Manager and Spokeswoman tweeted the announcement Friday afternoon.
“The Jordan Brand is us, the Black Community,” The announcement read. “Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family. We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice.”
Joint Statement from Michael Jordan & Jordan Brand regarding $100m donation. pic.twitter.com/yYXWh5eBZl
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) June 5, 2020
Jordan had been the target of criticism during his NBA for keeping his opinions out of the political spectrum. During ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary, Jordan’s addressed his previous desire to remain quiet.
“I do commend Muhammad Ali for standing up for what he believed in,” Jordan said. “But I never thought of myself as an activist. I thought of myself as a basketball player.”
Now, it seems Jordan is making a long term commitment to using his voice.
“Black lives matter,” the release read. “This isn’t a controversial statement. Until the ingrained racism that allows our country’s institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people.
“Today, we are announcing that Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand will be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.”
Jordan On George Floyd
On Sunday, Jordan expressed his grief over Floyd’s death.
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry, I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration,” Jordan said. “I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.”
Michael Jordan chimes in pic.twitter.com/2E80TdUbwx
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 31, 2020
Jordan is the current owner of the Charlotte Hornets but resides mostly out of the public spotlight.
“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others,” Jordan said. “We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality. We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability. Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.”
