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Striving for greatness on the court while enriching lives through activism off it, LeBron James is the king we needed but never quite deserved. High in the pantheon of sports figures who’ve lent their voices, bodies, resources and collective spirit to the plight of African-Americans, James aligns with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Jim Brown and the great Bill Russell.
As of today, he’s accomplished something few of his predecessors have: he’s opened his own school.
The “I Promise” School in the flesh—or brick. Spoiler: It’s gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/B5dfTI53de
— Scott @ WFNY (@WFNYScott) July 30, 2018
? “LeBron James Opens His I PROMISE School”https://t.co/XOrh227CUz
— LJ’s Fam Foundation (@LJFamFoundation) July 29, 2018
The I Promise School, a budding public institution in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, established by the LeBron James Family Foundation and Akron Public Schools, opened today to its inaugural class of 240 students — many of which are at-risk minorities. The school currently houses 3-4 graders with plans to expand to grades 1-8 by 2022.
As the doors open today, an inside look exposed two walls that reside at the top of a dual stairwell feed from the foyer. They feature 114 game-worn Nike LeBron sneakers laced up during his days with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s easy to spot the LeBron 4, LeBron 13-15 and several LeBron Soldier iterations. The shoes are encapsulated by a range of abstract and modern artwork with the I Promise mantra, “We Are Family,” sprinkled throughout.
It’s also reported that the companion shoe to each on the wall will be available for purchase through Upper Deck, with the proceeds set to benefit the LeBron James Family Foundation. Those who purchase a pair of the shoes will have their names enshrined on the sneaker wall.
.@KingJames. More than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/aZGthMCEBv
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) July 29, 2018
The jitters before the first day of school are real right now!!! Tomorrow is going to be one of the greatest moments (if not the greatest) of my life when we open the #IPROMISE School. This skinny kid from Akron who missed 83 days of school in the 4th grade had big dreams… https://t.co/PwmRaHRfng
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 29, 2018
big dreams for the kids in Akron to give them everything they could need to find their passion, give back to our community and change the world!! This school is that. The people are that. Akron is that. @LJFamFoundation we’ve always done it big
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 29, 2018
and it doesn’t get bigger than opening day tomorrow (until the next thing we dream of ?) I’m so unbelievably proud and excited to see my kids, my home, and the 330 tomorrow. THANK YOU! Let’s get it. Let’s go ?? @IPROMISESchool #WeAreFamily #IPROMISE
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 29, 2018