LeBron James launching multimillion-dollar effort to recruit poll workers

NBA superstar LeBron James is wading further into the fight over voter suppression, with his voting rights organization, More Than A Vote, launching a multimillion-dollar campaign to fortify the number of poll workers in vulnerable Black communities.

The group, which bands together James, other star athletes, state election officials and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, is partnering to draft young activists to work at polling locations for November's general election across the southern and battleground states of Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas.

The new initiative seeks to confront the shortage of election volunteers, particularly in communities of color. Atlanta is majority Black, according to U.S. Census data, and Milwaukee County is home to 69.4% of Wisconsin's African American population, according to the most recent data cited by state's Department of Health Services.

More than a Vote is also working to transform sports arenas left vacant by the pandemic into massive polling locations -- a model that was used in Kentucky's primary elections in June with relative success. So far they've joined forces with sports teams in Atlanta, Cleveland, Charlotte, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.

[SOURCE: YAHOO]

LeBron James speaks on Jacob Blake shooting

LeBron James sternly conveys his feelings about the fear that is lingering in the Black community and tells the media why he has nothing nice to say about the police who shot Jacob Blake.

Lakers wear hats to keep attention on Breonna Taylor case

The Los Angeles Lakers arrived to Game 1 of their first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night in red baseball caps, only with a twist.

Each cap had "Make America Great Again" stitched in white letters, just like the one President Donald Trump often wears; but the words "Great Again" were crossed out, and the message "Arrest The Cops Who Killed Breonna Taylor" was printed below them.

"You know, this is something that we continue to put our foot on the gas, continue to pressure," LeBron James said after the Lakers' 100-93 loss. "You know, the situation that's going on in Louisville, Kentucky. An innocent woman being killed in Breonna Taylor, a woman who had a bright future and her future was taken away from her. And there's been no arrests. There's been no justice. Not only for her, but for her family. And we want to continue to shed light on that situation, because it's just unjust, and that's what it's about."

It was a continuation of the calls for awareness about the circumstances surrounding Taylor's death made by the Lakers and many other players since the NBA invited 22 teams to Orlando, Florida, to restart its season last month.

[SOURCE: ESPN]

Lebron James: Back Lives Matter is not a movement...it's a lifestyle

During his media press conference after the LA Lakers first scrimmage in the NBA bubble, Lebron James commented on the Black Lives Matter movement and what it means to him. He said that "When you're Black, it's not a movement. It's a lifestyle..."

Watch his comments below:

LeBron James starts voting rights group

LeBron James is creating a voting rights group aimed in part at motivating African Americans to cast ballots in November, the NBA star told The New York Times on Wednesday.

James told the Times that the idea to form the group, More Than a Vote, was fueled by the worldwide protests over racial inequality and police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody.

“Because of everything that’s going on, people are finally starting to listen to us — we feel like we’re finally getting a foot in the door,” James told the Times. “How long is up to us. We don’t know. But we feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention, and this is the time for us to finally make a difference.”

In addition to looking to turn out voters, James said he wants to use his platform on social media to help combat voter suppression.

“Yes, we want you to go out and vote, but we’re also going to give you the tutorial,” James told the Times. “We’re going to give you the background of how to vote and what they’re trying to do, the other side, to stop you from voting.”

More Than a Vote will team up with voting rights organizations, including When We All Vote and Stacey Abrams’s Fair Fight, according to the Times.

James and business partner Maverick Carter are putting up the initial funding for the organization, according to the Times.

LeBron James responds to Ahmaud Arbery killing

Lakers superstar, Lebron James who has not been shy about discussing social issues that affect the Black community took to Twitter on Wednesday to respond to the killing of an Ahmaud Arbery by two white men in Georgia.

We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes! Can’t even go for a damn jog man! Like WTF man are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!? No man fr ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! I’m sorry Ahmaud(Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the..... pic.twitter.com/r1PNxs8Vgn

— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 6, 2020

Inaugural class at LeBron James' school to receive free tuition to Kent State University

The inaugural class of LeBron James' I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, has received some amazing news.

All 193 students, who are high school juniors, will be receiving free tuition to Kent State University. The kids, who were visiting the Kent State campus, erupted in cheers when they were told of the news, while their parents, watching from a live feed in a separate room, burst into tears.

The students will be guaranteed free tuition for four years as well as one year of a free room and meal plan.

The students will be eligible for the package as college freshmen for the 2021-2022 academic year. To be eligible, they must be admitted to Kent State, fill out required financial aid forms and have completed a required number of community service hours each semester.

To remain eligible, students need to remain in good academic standing, take part in a required number of community service or volunteer hours and complete a minimum number of credit hours per year.

"We have so many options, and I just know that so many kids in my community just don't have many options," James said. "So for me to be able to be in a position where I can give these kids options to decide what they want to do with their future, it's probably the best thing I've ever done."

WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT

[SOURCE: CNN]

Lebron James: NFL owners have a slave mentality

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was critical of NFL owners during the latest episode of HBO's "The Shop" on Friday night, saying they have a "slave mentality." This comment came up during a conversation with O'Shea Jackson Sr BKA Ice Cube about the difference between the NBA and NFL when it comes to how both leagues allow players to express themselves.

"In the NFL they got a bunch of old white men owning teams and they got that slave mentality," James said during the episode. "And it's like, 'This is my team. You do what the f--- I tell y'all to do. Or we get rid of y'all.'

"The players are who make the ship go. We make it go. Every Sunday, without Todd Gurley and without Odell Beckham Jr., without those players, those guys, there is no football. And it's the same in the NBA."

"The difference between the NBA and the NFL, the NBA is what we believe he [a player] can be. The potential," James said. "In the NFL, it's like what can you do for me this Sunday, or this Monday or this Thursday, and if you ain't it, we moving on."

"I'm so appreciative in our league of our commissioner," James said, referencing Adam Silver. "He doesn't mind us having ... a real feeling and to be able to express that. It doesn't even matter if Adam agrees with what we are saying, he at least wants to hear us out. As long as we are doing it in a very educational, nonviolent way, then he's absolutely OK with it."

"The Shop" is a 30-minute show set in a barbershop where athletes and celebrities have conversations about life and sports.

Bill Russell: Being criticized by Trump is the 'biggest compliment you can get'

NBA legend and civil rights activist, Bill Russell took to twitter to praise LeBron James, CNN host Don Lemon, Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), John Lewis (D-Ga.), and NFL players. Russell stated that they “must be doing something right.” if Trump is attacking them.

At this time & place for any African American, @KingJames @donlemon @RepMaxineWaters @repjohnlewis & #NFL plyrs to be criticised by @realdonaldtrump means you must be doing something right! As I have said before- Its the biggest compliment you can get. @TwitterSports @MSNBC @CNN

— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) August 5, 2018

Wow, people are actually questioning Lebron's reasons for opening the I Promise School

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

Now let me state right from the start in the interest of full disclosure by making it clear that I am no Lebron James (the basketball player) fan. I'll admit that I'm a hater. Lebron may go down one day as the GOAT, but as far as I'm concerned, he has only won ONE ring because Dwyane Wade was holding his hand when he won the other two. See, that's the level of hate that I'm on.

But even a Lebron hater like myself has no choice but to give accolades to Lebron James (The Man) for opening up the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio. But apparently, there are those cynics among us who while they give credit for the opening of the school question James motives for doing it.

On my Facebook feed someone accused James of just opening the school to get a tax break. Not only that but someone co-signed that nonsense. (you know who you are.)

Here are three reasons why I don't believe that James opening a school was just about a tax break:

Reason #1: Lebron doesn't care about taxes.

I don't think Lebron is worried about taxes if he was he wouldn't be headed to California with its high taxes nor would he have left Florida where there is no personal income tax. Yeah he wouldn't have won another ring, but he would have saved millions.

Reason #2: There are easier ways to get a tax break.

L.B. could have just got together with some educational types and opened a charter school and be done with it, but he didn't do that. The I Promise School is not a charter but a traditional school that is part of the Akron Public School system that means he has to deal with the local teacher's union and the school board. The school takes in at-risk students which means that issues like hunger, emotional problems, and homelessness must be dealt with. That's a lot for someone trying to get a tax write off.

Reason #3: This is a very personal thing for Lebron James.

If you have heard any of the interviews with James he doesn't give anecdotal evidence or point to studies to show why he is doing what he does for these students. He looks to his personal experiences as a young kid in Akron.

When asked about why the school offered free breakfast and lunch James didn't start off by saying talking about what some study showed, he talked about how he couldn't focus when he was hungry. Those memories drive this young man to help other. so they don't have to go through the hunger and homelessness that he dealt with as a child.

Have we become so jaded that we can't understand why a man would do good to help others? Have we become so cynical that we can't understand that a child who suffered grew into a man that wants to stop others from hurting? If you have become that cynical and jaded then the problem is with you and not Lebron James.

Well I for one haven't, and I appreciate what Lebron James is doing for the children of his community.

Lebron may not finish with as many championships as other great NBA players, but he'll be in an exclusive class of great human beings with Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, and Bill Russell.

THANK YOU LEBRON JAMES!

By George L. Cook III

Octavia Spencer & Lebron James bringing ‘Madam C.J. Walker’ series to Netflix

Octavia Spencer’s next project is a literal rags-to-riches story. The Oscar winner will executive produce and star in “Madam C.J. Walker,” a limited series on Netflix that tells the true story of the woman who went from washing clothes to becoming one of the very few African-American female millionaires of the early 20th century. LeBron James will also serve as one of the executive producers.

Ms. Walker decided to enter the hair-care industry at a time when few products were geared toward black women. Around 1906 she started her own business and soon created lines of hair straighteners, hair-growth elixirs, shampoos and pomades. As she earned riches and respect in the business world — extremely rare achievements for a black woman at the time — she gave back thousands to the N.A.A.C.P., the Tuskegee Institute, churches and Y.M.C.A.s; she also delivered lectures and helped organize protests against inequality and violence toward African-Americans.

The Netflix series is based on a 2001 biography of Ms. Walker by A’Lelia Bundles, her great-great granddaughter.

The project is being spearheaded by Ms. Spencer, who won an Oscar for her role in “The Help” and has since starred in “Hidden Figures” and “The Shape of Water.” “Since making ‘Hidden Figures,’ I don’t have a problem saying to a room of male executives: ‘I need a female writer or a female director,’ or ‘I need a black voice or a Latin voice,’” she said in a Times interview in 2016.

The news was announced at a Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday. Kasi Lemmons (“Talk to Me”) will direct the first episode, and LeBron James will serve as one of the executive producers. The eight-episode series does not yet have a release date.

[SOURCE: NYTIMES]

Lebron James "I Promise" school to open on July 30, 2018

Feel free to criticize Lebron James, the NBA superstar about his game or going from team to team, but one thing you can't do is criticize Lebron James the MAN and the ACTIVIST! Other people talk "stuff," Mr. James does "stuff" to help black and brown underprivileged children succeed in life. You can't be mad at that.

LeBron James expects Monday to be one of the greatest moments of his life as his LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron (Ohio) Public Schools launch a new elementary school for at-risk children in his hometown.

The I Promise School is the culmination of nearly a decade of work by James' foundation, with its focus on educating children from challenging situations or backgrounds. The school will begin with two grades, third and fourth, with plans to expand in the coming years.

James' life was turned around between fourth and fifth grade, when he had perfect attendance, thanks to the intervention of the Walker family. In 1993, the Walkers took James in and encouraged his education at a city school in Akron.

James is now trying to act in that role by donating millions to the project and securing support from corporate and educational sponsors.

The I Promise School has a longer school day and longer school year. More than 40 staff members will attempt to accelerate the development of children who qualify for the program based on performance and socioeconomic factors.

For those who complete the program, which has been operating for years, James has arranged for free tuition to the University of Akron starting in 2021. He has also created a program for parents of the at-risk children to return to complete their high school educations and has planned an institute to help prepare high-school-age students for college.

In all, James and his foundation leaders hope that more than 1,200 children will pass through the program and into college by 2029.

[SOURCE: ESPN]

Nike releasing LeBron sneaker to benefit the National Museum of African American History & Culture

The LeBron 15 ‘Equality’ PE is getting a release. James took to Instagram Monday morning to announce that the ‘Equality’ PE is getting a wide release with Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture receiving all of the proceeds:

Great morning to all! Basketball is our vehicle but equality is our mission – stand for something positive and do what you can to make a difference!! Proud to announce we’re dropping the “Equality” PE. There’s always a personal connection with a drop - this one goes beyond basketball. Proceeds go to the Smithsonian Natl Museum of African American History & Culture. #Equality✊ #StriveForGreatness #IWillNotShutUpAndDribble,”

🗣🗣Great morning to all! Basketball is our vehicle but equality is our mission – stand for something positive and do what you can to make a difference!! Proud to announce we’re dropping the “Equality” PE. There’s always a personal connection with a drop - this one goes beyond basketball. Proceeds go to the Smithsonian Natl Museum of African American History & Culture. #Equality✊🏾💪🏾 #StriveForGreatness🚀 #IWillNotShutUpAndDribble

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Feb 26, 2018 at 7:01am PST

Lebron James responds to Laura Ingraham's 'Shut up and dribble' comments

NBA star and activist Lebron James said that Trump doesn't "Give a f*ck about the people" in an interview with the ESPN website Uninterrupted. So, of course, someone at Fox News had to leap to the so-called President's defense. Conservative talking head Laura Ingraham said that Lebron James should "shut up and dribble" when commenting on James comments. That offended many African Americans and athletes, with some thinking that her comments were racist because they were.

James responded to Ingraham ignorant comments:

“I will not just shut up and dribble,” James said after All-Star practice. “So, thank you, whatever her name is. … I get to sit up here and talk about what’s really important and how I can help change kids. “It lets me know that everything I’ve been saying is correct for her to have that type of reaction. But we will definitely not shut up and dribble. I will definitely not do that. I mean too much to society, I mean too much to the youth, I mean too much to so many kids that feel like they don’t have a way out and they need someone to help lead them out of the situation they’re in.”

“We know it’s bigger than us. It’s not about us,” James said. “I’m going to continue to do what I have to do to play this game that I love to play, but this is bigger than me playing the game of basketball.”

Watch James entire response below:

LeBron James on Trump: He doesn't 'give a f--- about the people'

LeBron James laid into President Trump in a new video from Uninterrupted, saying that the president doesn’t "give a f---" about the American people.

In the video, which was filmed in January, ESPN’s Cari Champion interviews James and Kevin Durant while driving the NBA stars in an Uber.

"The number one job in America, the ... person is someone who doesn't understand the people, and really don't give a f--- about the people,” James said of Trump.

Champion raised the issue of what she called Trump’s "racist comments." The interview was conducted near the time last month Trump was under fire for referring to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as "shithole countries."

"It's not even a surprise when he says something,” James said. “It's, like, laughable; it's laughable and it's scary."

He added that he wants to use his platform as an athlete to set an example for what is acceptable.

“While we cannot change what comes out of that man’s mouth, we can continue to alert the people that watch us, that listen to us that this is not the way,” he said.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW

Board approves plan for LeBron James' 'I Promise' school in Akron

The school board in LeBron James' Ohio hometown has approved the plan for a public school being created in partnership with the NBA star's foundation.

The LeBron James Family Foundation says the "I Promise" School in Akron will be geared toward educating students who are at risk of falling behind. It will have longer days and begin classes in the summer - weeks before other district schools - to encourage information retention.

It's scheduled to open next fall for third- and fourth-graders and add more grade levels in future years.

The idea is based on the foundation's existing "I Promise" programs that encourage struggling students to stay in school.

Supporters cheered after the Akron School Board approved the school's plan Monday.

New York-based production company Warrior Poets says it will soon begin filming a documentary series centered on the school in partnership with LeBron James' production company SpringHill Entertainment.

Jason Whitlock is wrong about Lebron James acting like a victim

Jason Whitlock recently said that Lebron James was playing the victim by discussing his house being vandalized. What Whitlock doesn't understand or remember is that whether you wear a sweatsuit or a business suit you are still a black person in America. Hear more of my thoughts/opinion on this in the video below. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com.

NAACP DENOUNCES RECENT WAVE OF VANDALISM AGAINST AFRICAN-AMERICANS

The NAACP issued the following statement after a noose was found Wednesday, May 31, at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. and after NBA star LeBron James’ house in Los Angeles, California was defaced with the N-word.

“We are deeply troubled and disturbed by the heinous acts of racism that occurred on Wednesday,” said Leon Russell, Board Chairman of the NAACP. “Leaving a noose – a symbol and weapon of hate – in front of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture and vandalizing the home of NBA superstar LeBron James, underscore the recent increase in hate crimes committed against African-Americans under the Trump Administration. The NAACP will not sit by idly while our people continue to be assailed by racist and cowardly actions. Furthermore, we call on the Trump Administration to stand up and speak out against these attacks.”

“Atrocious acts like those committed on Wednesday demonstrate the divisive animus that is pervasive throughout our country. The NAACP stands with the Smithsonian and with Mr. James and is wholly committed, now more than ever, to protecting equal rights of all persons and to eliminating race-based discrimination in the United States. We will not be deterred,” said Derrick Johnson, Vice Chairman of the NAACP.

Lebron James names "Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year"

James, who ended 52 years of sports heartache by bringing Cleveland a championship and used his superstar platform to address social causes, was chosen as The Associated Press 2016 Male Athlete of the Year, an award he won previously in 2013.

Results of the vote by 59 editors from AP member newspapers and customers were announced Tuesday.

James collected 24 first-place votes, beating out a pair of Olympic legends: Michael Phelps (16) and Usain Bolt (9), the fastest men in water and on land who are not accustomed to finishing behind anyone.

"I felt fulfilled," James told the Associated Press. "To know the history of our sports here and how heartbreaking at times it was for all those years that our fans had to go through, and the circumstances that we came back from, it was so fulfilling."

[SOURCE: Cleveland.com]

LeBron James contributes $2.5 million to Smithsonian Muhammad Ali display

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture announced today that LeBron James will give $2.5 million to support the museum and its presentation titled “Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change.” On view since the museum’s September opening, it tells the story of how Ali’s contributions transcended the world of sport—his commitment to challenging racial barriers helped lay the groundwork for the successful careers of so many African Americans in athletics and beyond.

James’ business partner Maverick Carter will also be part of the $2.5 million contribution to the Ali exhibit. With this gift, the LeBron James Family Foundation and Carter will join the list of founding donors for NMAAHC.

“Every professional athlete, regardless of race and gender, owes a huge debt of gratitude to Muhammad Ali,” James said. “His legacy deserves to be studied and revered by every generation. I am honored to partner with the Smithsonian to celebrate one of the most influential figures in our nation’s history who, along with Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, used the power of sports to advance our civil rights.”

“I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity LeBron James has shown to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and to Muhammad’s legacy,” said Lonnie Ali, Ali’s widow. “This exhibit will enable children visiting the Smithsonian to learn more about Muhammad’s work outside of the ring, particularly his humanitarian work and stance on social justice for all people. Thank you to LeBron James and the Smithsonian for making this possible. I know that if Muhammad was alive today he would be honored.”

[SOURCE]