CHARLES BARKLEY PLEDGES $1 MILLION TO SPELMAN COLLEGE
Spelman College has made its place in the philanthropic list of Charles Barkley, the NBA legend, as he pledges to donate $1 million after being inspired by his partner John Hudson’s daughter.
“John has been a great mentor, a great friend and a great business partner,” Barkley told Alabama news site al.com. “I was ready to do another HBCU, and with his daughter doing great things at Spelman, so I told him, ‘Why not there?’”
Spelman College has been known to leave a significant impact on its students. One of such students is Hudson’s daughter, Jordyn Hudson, who has been making waves at the historically Black College – Spelman– with her commendable achievements, which compelled Barkley to donate a considerable sum to yet another HBCU.
The announcement shocked the college’s officials as Barkley did not inform them before publicly sharing his decision.
“Charles Barkley’s $1 million gift to Spelman College comes at a significant time as we continue to close education and wealth inequality for Black families and maintain affordable education opportunities for women of African descent,” said Spelman’s new president Helene Gayle. “As one of the country’s leading engines of social mobility and the nation’s leading HBCU, this generous gift will help build upon Spelman’s legacy of developing the next generation of leaders.”
Spelman’s, widely known as the best Black college and one of the best women’s colleges in America, has received a fair amount of donations this year.
Spelman College also launched a “Spelman Ascends” fundraising campaign in 2021 to boost its educational offerings. Therefore, this donation is timely for the institution and has also proven to be one of the significant gifts to the college under the leadership of Gayle, who officially took over as Spelman’s 11th president on July 1.
The donation to Spelman College will be the sixth major donation that Barkley has made since 2016.
“People are aware of Charles from TNT and his NBA stardom, but I don’t think people are aware of how focused he is on philanthropy and entrepreneurism,” John Hudson told al.com. “He knows how committed Jordyn is to Spelman and has seen how it has transformed her worldview.”
“What can you say about someone who is so giving and charitable with their resources with all they’ve accomplished?” John Hudson said. “He has a special place in his heart for Black women; I’ve seen him invest in Black female-owned companies. This is just another indication of Charles investing in something that is close to his heart
