Former professional basketball player Michael Jeffrey Jordan has pledged to donate $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality and social justice. He was also backed by his Nike Brand “Jordan”.
The 100 million pledge came after Jordan said “we have had enough” when it comes to racism in the United States.
This announcement came in a joint statement from Jordan and his company [Air Jordan] on Friday where they accessed and talked about the killing of Gorge Floyd and black privilege in the country.
Jordan Brand president Craig Williams said in a statement;
“Through our Jordan Wings Program, we have been focused on providing access to education, mentorship and opportunity for Black youth facing the obstacles of systemic racism. But we know we can do more,”
The Jordan Brand pledge was preceded earlier on Friday by Nike announcing a “Commitment to the Black Community” plan in which $40 million would be pledged collectively by Nike, Converse and Jordan Brand.
Nike president and CEO John Donahoe said in a statement:
“Systemic racism and the events that have unfolded across America over the past few weeks serve as an urgent reminder of the continued change needed in our society,”
Micheal Jordan said in a statement;
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” Jordan’s statement began. “I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of colour in our country. We have had enough.
“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength, and the inability to be divided by others.
“We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality. We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability.
“Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.
“My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”
57-year-old Michael Jordan is the richest athlete in the world, according to Forbes with a net worth of $2.1 billion. He’s regarded as the NBA’s greatest player of all time, garnering six titles from his time on the Chicago Bulls, While playing he made $90 million, but has earned $1.7 billion in NBA retirement from Nike and other corporate partners like Harnes and Gatorade.
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