LeBron James is making a significant donation to a new exhibit honoring the life of Muhammad Ali at the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture.
LeBron James donates $2.5 million to a new Muhammad Ali Smithsonian exhibit
Ali was one of the athletes who influenced James the most growing up.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
James, his business partner Maverick Carter, and his foundation will donate $2.5 million to help create the exhibit, called “Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change.” James is one of several notable NBA figures who have donated money, including a $5 million donation from Michael Jordan and at least $1 million from Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie, per USA Today.
Ali died this past June at the age of 74. Like many athletes, James was shaped by his character and influence.
“Muhammad Ali is such a cornerstone of me as an athlete because of what he represented not only in the ring as a champion but more outside the ring — what he stood for, what he spoke for, his demeanor,” James told USA TODAY Sports. “I think of him every day. Without his passion and goals and morals, I don’t know if I’d be sitting here today talking to you about it.”
The donation is part of a long string of philanthropic endeavors by James, who has steadily given back to his hometown Akron community since coming into the NBA.
Most notably, James will be paying for more than 1,000 kids to go to college — part of his “I Promise” program. The LeBron James Family Foundation had already helped local kids from third to seventh grade, but his announcement that he would cover tuition for kids who met grade and community service requirements took that a step further.
The exhibit focuses both on Ali’s many accomplishments in his boxing career, as well as his social activism in politics and the community.
“I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity LeBron James has shown,” Ali’s wife Lonnie said in a statement. “This exhibit will enable children visiting the Smithsonian to learn more about Muhammad’s work outside of the ring, particularly his humanitarian work and stance on social justice for all people. ... I know that if Muhammad was alive today he would be honored.”
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