By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
In a visit to PBS-TV’s The Chavis Chronicles in Washington, D.C., Gloria James and family members of NBA superstar LeBron James highlighted the extraordinary impact of the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) and its ongoing mission to uplift and empower communities. The foundation’s efforts, which began in Akron, Ohio, where LeBron was raised, have become a national model for athletes, entertainers, and politicians alike.
Gloria, LeBron’s mother, expressed immense pride in her son’s accomplishments both on and off the court. “I’m very honored to be LeBron’s mother. He has done so much for our community and for people across the world. He’s so unselfish,” Gloria said, emphasizing that LeBron’s greatness extends beyond his athletic achievements. “He’s not only the GOAT on the court, but off the court. He’s a humanitarian, a great father and husband, and a great advocate for his community, people of color, and the underdog.”
The LJFF, through its flagship I PROMISE program, serves over 1,400 students in the Akron area, offering comprehensive support that extends far beyond academics. The foundation’s work, as Gloria described, is about more than just raising graduation rates; it’s about redefining the concepts of family and community.
“What we learned was that you can’t just help one person in the family and expect it to be of great significance,” Gloria explained. “Even when it comes to housing or food, we address those issues as well. We know that a lot of our families can’t provide meals for themselves for a full family throughout the entire month, so we have pantries.”
The holistic approach to community support has become the cornerstone of the LJFF’s mission. “Unfortunately, some kids don’t have that in their lives,” Gloria noted, referring to the love, compassion, and support she said true family offers. “They deserve that, and that way it’ll also help them as they grow into adulthood. Family, we take that very seriously.”
Curtis James, LeBron’s uncle and an assistant at the foundation, echoed Gloria’s sentiments, highlighting the foundation’s recent projects, including a documentary. “We just launched a documentary, and my job is to inspire people through my podcast. We want people to do the right thing. It’s not just through our music. Family keeps me in the community, and Akron will always need inspiration, so I try to be a model for people to do better and be better,” Curtis shared.
The LJFF’s influence has extended to the University of Akron, where the LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education operates with selective admission criteria to nurture future educators who will continue the foundation’s legacy of community upliftment.
“What I’ve learned through our foundation is that helping your community is probably one of the most important jobs you can have,” said Gloria James, who works as a third-grade teacher’s adie at the I PROMISE school. “Especially if you’re on a platform that allows you to help, not just talk about it, but be about it. Put your money up. Our city has been so responsive positively that it makes us want to do even more.”
The family’s commitment to Akron and its residents is unwavering. As Gloria noted, they are not just making a difference but setting a precedent for others to follow. “We also have blueprints for other athletes, actors, mayors of other cities, and we’re willing to share the blueprint so others in other cities can build up their communities. We’ve been able to change lives.”
Reflecting on LeBron’s journey to superstardom, Gloria expressed pride not just in his athletic success, but in his dedication to his community. “I’ve always been very proud of him,” she asserted. “He’s such a giving and caring and compassionate person. What’s most important to LeBron is the work that he does off the court. That’s the changes that he makes in the lives of the people in our community.”
Gloria also shared her emotions during one of LeBron’s most iconic moments—carrying the Olympic flag. “Every time LeBron exceeds expectations, which is often, I feel he’s given more than he’s received. But seeing him carrying the Olympic flag made me feel even more special; that was almost surreal,” she noted. “Think back years ago when Blacks and people of color had such a hard time being chosen for something so honorable, so to see that made it even more special. To see them with medals around their necks, it just confirms that he’s done all the right things and he’s deserving.”
The excitement continues for the James family, as LeBron’s son, Bronny, is expected to join him on the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming season. “That will be very special. I know LeBron is extremely excited about playing with his son,” Gloria said, beaming with pride at the prospect of the father-son duo making history together on the court.
Sean Jones, a Cleveland native, and Curtis’s music partner accompanied the family to D.C. and reflected on his journey. “When I released my first record, I was called the LeBron James of rap, but who would ever have thought I’d be sitting here today with LeBron’s mother, Gloria, and Curtis,” he remarked, acknowledging the deep connections that the James family has fostered within their community.
Despite the success, Gloria said the family maintains a close circle. “We’ve been really blessed,” Gloria said. “Our family has been respectful. No one has really felt like they want a place in the center circle that we have, so things have worked out really well.”
In reflecting on the foundation’s broad impact, Gloria James summed up their mission with heartfelt pride: “What’s most important to LeBron is the work that he does off the court. That’s the changes that he makes in the lives of the people in our community. Coming from this same community at a time when we also needed this same help—he’s only done what he promised to do.”
Watch the entire interview this fall on PBS-TV’s The Chavis Chronicles.
