NBA superstar LeBron James announced his The LeBron James Family Foundation will partner with the University of Akron and JPMorgan Chase to provide scholarships to disadvantage children of Akron seeking to go to college.

According to ESPN, there are 1,100 at-risk children enrolled in James’ I Promise program through his foundation. If these students, who attend Akron Public Schools and are 7th graders, complete the specified grade, attendance and community service requirements throughout highschool, James and his foundation will pay their college tuition.

The first of these students will enter college in 2012 and a single years tuition for the University of Akron today is $9,500. This equates to over $10 million dollars per year, of which James is footing the bill for four years and doesn’t include the rising cost of college tuition, fees, room and board.

OVER $40 MILLION DOLLARS!

[ADSENSE2]Nevertheless, this is an outstanding move on the part of LeBron James and just one more reason I think more people in the black community should be a fan of this young man.

Instead of investing in prisons or other lucrative markets, this NBA future legend is investing in the people who grew up in communities like him…and pledging his time, money and energy to give them opportunities in their future.

Full disclosure, I am a card carrying fan of this young man…and not because of his prowess as an athlete and basketball legend.

I’m a fan of LBJ because of his commitment to the future, the children, and his ability to be a heck of a role model as an athlete, one I wish the black community could put their frustration with his basketball business aside to truly appreciate.

This man constantly gives back to the community, is an evolving business man, doesn’t have any children outside his home, married to his high school sweetheart and is constantly looking for more ways to improve himself and those in his sphere of influence.

Source: TheGrio