A man, his word and a lasting legacy: LeBron James, the Promise Keeper

With the opening of the I Promise School, LeBron James has set a new bar when it comes to athletes and social responsibility.

On and off the court, LeBron James has proven he is a man of his word. His legacy is built on promises kept.

In 2014, it was a promise to the people of Northeast Ohio that they would be champions once again. On June 22, 2016, three days after the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the 73-win Golden State Warriors in a Game 7 that will forever be etched in sports history, James stood on top of a Rolls-Royce convertible with his arms outstretched to the millions of swarming fans.

It was clear that the deliverance of this promise, one that James so strategically spelled out in his Sports Illustrated piece, would be savored for generations. Fans that once burned his #23 jersey were now forever indebted. The basketball world enshrined LeBron as one of the greatest to ever play, even with the six-ring ghost that admittedly lurked in the distance.

And the critics? They couldn’t help but marvel at how the kid from Akron continuously lived up to the hype.

Off the court, James hasn’t just talked the talk – he has loudly and proudly walked the walk.

In 2004, he founded the LeBron James Family Foundation in order to support the kids in his hometown community of Akron. Following in similar fashion to how James has evolved his own game, the Foundation has skillfully utilized partners, resources and experts to expand its reach and overall impact.

What started as an annual neighborhood bike ride to get more kids involved in school, has turned into daily educational programs, college scholarships, and now, a new public school.

This evolution, and the commitment and precision it demanded, is what makes James’ social responsibility so unique. Alongside his team, and with the help of his close inner circle, James sought to create long-term impact through working with Akron Public Schools to identify at-risk students that have fallen behind.

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Through the I Promise Elementary program, these students are provided after-school instruction, mentors and personalized classroom support. This support then follows them throughout secondary and high school in order to help them adapt to the changes they face inside and outside of the classroom.

Like James though, the Foundation didn’t settle. Instead, it created the LeBron Advisory Board, made up of teachers, principals and administrators that work to incorporate student, parent and expert feedback in order to improve programming. Over the years, the Foundation worked with the University of Akron to guarantee a college scholarship to every single student in the I Promise program.

As James’ basketball career begins a new chapter, so does his social impact. Yesterday, the new I Promise School opened its doors to 240 elementary students. LeBron anticipated the opening of the school, which is decorated with motivational quotes, iconic murals and game-worn shoes, to be one of the greatest moments of his life.

There were no flashy convertibles or crowds of mayhem in the middle of E. 9th Street. James wore a sleek suit and glasses as he stood on the grounds of his new creation: a creation that now has the opportunity to transform a system, a community and generations to come.

Just like he has pushed the boundaries of free agency and sneaker deals, James has achieved new heights when it comes to social responsibility. And yesterday, the rest of the basketball world took notice.

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A legacy built on promises. This one made between James and hundreds of third-grade students in Akron, Ohio. The students would listen, learn, be respectful, work hard and most importantly, they would finish school. In return, he vowed he would be the best role model he could be, on and off the court.

Promise most certainly kept.