We couldn’t be more excited to share that on Thursday night, LeBron James announced Chicago Scholars to be his nonprofit of choice for the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago! We are humbled and honored to know that LeBron believes in our vision of a vibrant Chicago powered by diverse leaders from every neighborhood. We’re also incredibly thankful to LeBron, the NBA, and NBA Cares for their belief and support of our organization, our Scholars, and the city of Chicago.
Quite frankly, we’re still in disbelief. Thankfully, there’s video to prove that we aren’t dreaming. The announcement came on TNT during the Team LeBron and Team Giannis Draft for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.
For our Scholars, who are often the first in their family to go college and come from low-income neighborhoods and households, it’s impossible to overstate how much this means them. It doesn’t just validate all of their hard work — it proves that they can go to their dream school, graduate on time, and step up as leaders in their communities and their careers. This shows our Scholars that it’s not just our Chicago Scholars family that has their back — not just our College Counselors, Mentors, Volunteers, and staff members. It shows there’s also a larger community that cares about them and wants them to succeed. The NBA cares about them. LeBron James cares about them. What could be more empowering than that?
On top of all of this, the NBA has invited a group of our Scholars to attend the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 16. And, in the days leading up to the game, there will be other opportunities for some of our Scholars Ambassadors to attend other All-Star events. In fact, a number of them were invited to the Chicago Bulls game on Thursday night — along with students from After School Matters, the nonprofit chosen by Giannis Antetokounmpo — to be honored on the court just after LeBron made his announcement.
As our Scholars learned the news, they were overcome with joy. “I am very proud to be part of this organization,” said Jaiden, a Chicago Scholar from Chicago’s Calumet Heights neighborhood. “I am happy that our work is being recognized because Chicago Scholars is life-changing. I am happy for my fellow Scholars and the opportunity that they have been blessed to receive.”
We are absolutely thrilled to cheer on all of Team LeBron — LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, James Harden, Nikola Jokic, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Domantas Sabonis, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum, and Russell Westbrook — at the NBA All-Star Game. Please make sure to follow us to see all of the latest highlights on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
LET’S GO #TeamLeBron!