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For many, attending college without a scholarship is all but impossible. Whether it be financial or otherwise, for a large segment of the population, a continued education isn’t even worth a second thought given the cloud of doubt surrounding the sheer possibility of it. Jordan Brand, however, represents clearer skies for several underprivileged youths. Many have realized their goals of a college education through somewhat of an unlikely source.
With its “Wings” program, Jordan Brand, according to a new story on The Undefeated, has helped more than 200 students since 2015 attend college. And not just get there, but attend these universities with full scholarships.
Larry Miller, President of Jordan Brand, sees the vision of the “Wings” program as a testament to equality, community, and the brand’s namesake who, following the guidance of his mother and teachers, placed education in the highest regard.
After being taken third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft, following three years in Chapel Hill at North Carolina, Jordan suffered an injury during his second season in the NBA that caused him to miss a considerable amount of playing time — 64 games to be exact. Jordan used that time to return to the University of North Carolina to finish his degree in geography.
Jordan’s determination is funneled through his charity. Rebranded as the “Wings” program in 2010, the foundation first operated under the title Jordan Fundamentals Program from 1999 to 2009. During that time, they gave more than $10 million in financial aid to under serviced schools. Now, “Wings” aims to eclipse those lofty figures by sending students to college that would not otherwise be there, helping them realize their dreams through their intelligence, not their abilities in the realm of sports.
Rozzie Cribbs, a youthful and talented designer from the southside of Chicago, is one of the success stories mentioned in The Undefeated article. He’d been a talented artist and graphic design whiz much of his young life. So was his older brother, from which he took much of his inspiration. Cribbs, given his residency in Chicago and enrollment at Little Black Pearl Art & Design Academy — where Miller once spoke to “at-risk” students — was in an ideal position for his talents to be recognized. He would spend Saturdays with his friends at the Jordan Brand South State Street flagship creating and learning the finer points of design, marketing and business savvy. On one Saturday, like many others before it, Cribbs designed a t-shirt — a freehand design adored by those also at State Street that day. Soon after the shirt went on sale at the store. Within just two days, it had sold out.
Cribbs is now a sophomore at Southern Illinois University studying Communication Design.
His right place right time story is a fortunate one. Thankfully, there are other examples that mirror Cribbs’ both in chance and preparation. But what all those 200 stories have in common is a willingness from Jordan Brand. A willingness to put their money where their values lie. That, in and of itself, is bigger than sneakers, sports, and certainly bottom lines. Through “Wings,” Jordan Brand is doing their part to help build sustainable communities by giving those with less an opportunity to achieve more.
Learn more about “Wings” here.
