Michael Jordan has made another big donation, this time pledging $5 million to the Smithsonian’s new African-American history museum on the National Mall.
Officials at the National Museum of African American History and Culture announced the gift the basketball legend on Monday. The museum is set to open Set. 24.
The museum will name a section of its sports gallery after Jordan in recognition of the gift he’s given. Jordan will also donate a jersey he wore during the 1996 NBA Finals to the museum’s collection.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to support this museum,” Jordan said in a statement. “I also am indebted to the historic contributions of community leaders and athletes such as Jesse Owens, whose talent, commitment and perseverance broke racial barriers and laid the groundwork for the successful careers of so many African Americans in athletics and beyond.”
Museum Director Lonnie Bunch said the gift will aid the museum’s vision of exploring how black athletes changed sports and changed American society.
“We are extremely grateful to Michael Jordan for his game-changing support,” Bunch said in a statement. “His gift will enable our visitors to explore how sports were used to break barriers as a way to gain full participation in American society.”
Last month Jordan shockingly spoke out on racial tensions in America in hopes of easing conflicts between black people and law enforcement. He also donated $1 million to the Institute for Community-Police Relations and another $1 million to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
He’s been criticized in the past for staying silent but now he’s using his voice and his money.
source: ESPN
