Connect with us

Education

Russell Westbrook Partners With L.A. Promise Fund & Plans to Open Middle/High School in Los Angeles

Westbrook is teaming up with the L.A. Promise Fund and will open a school called “Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy.”

Published

3 years ago

on

@

The nine All-Star hails from Long Beach, California, and grew up in Hawthrone. He attended UCLA college before becoming the number four overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft. It’s only right he picks his hometown for the academy. The school will be in the Southern Los Angeles area.

“Creating and supporting educational opportunities for underserved youth has always been a passion of mine. It’s so important that every child has access to a good education regardless of their socioeconomic background. My goal in partnering with the LA Promise Fund is to ensure our South L.A. students are ready for college and ultimately success in a 21st-century career.”  –Russell Westbrook

L.A. Promise Fund’s president Veronica Melvin also chimed in with a statement:

“We all know Russell Westbrook’s accomplishments on the court. His pledge to the LA Promise Fund Schools and the South L.A. community demonstrates his deep commitment off the court to uplift the community and positively change lives.” – Veronica Melvin 

The school will include both a middle school and high school. Westbrook spoke to People Magazine and made this statement about the academy’s purpose:

“To create better access to educational and outdoor opportunities for children and the community at large in South L.A.”

“I’ve realized through the work with my [Why Not? Foundation] how often schools in underserved communities lack the resources and funding needed to support their students. I not only want to inspire and empower these students but I want to help provide the essential and necessary resources to set them up for success beyond the classroom.”

–Russell Westbrook

Westbrook doesn’t just plan to sit in the background either. He will be apart of the academy’s schoolboard making sure to help with the development process. Nina, his wife, and longtime business partner Donnell Beverly will be apart of that as well.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas seems to be excited about the project and commented:

“LA Promise Charter Schools provide students and families with high-quality alternatives to their neighborhood schools, through a strong educational model, wrap-around services, and signature programs. With the addition of Russell Westbrook and the evolution of Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy, this will continue to empower students, strengthen families and build communities.” – Mark Ridley-Thomas

 

 

Related Topics:

Ashton Horne is an upcoming writer who currently resides in Harford County. He currently interns for TheDMVDaily as a journalist.

Continue Reading
Days :
Hours :
Minutes

Unity Day 2024 is for the community and gives the youth an opportunity to be kids. Come meet some celebrities, ball players, race stars and more 🎪

 

 

Join our Unity Day Raffle to win some of our cool gifts we are giving away at the event. Click here to learn about the Raffle.

 

LEARN MORE