By BROOKE BAXTER
Staff Writer 
LeBron James is most famously known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time; however, his accomplishments go far beyond the scope of basketball.
“For me as an athlete and for me as a role model, I just try to do my part to help these kids and the youth understand how important their lives are… No matter the negativity that may be going on around them, there’s always a brighter side” James said in an interview with ABC. “For me, while I have this platform, I will continue to do that and continue to lend my voice and lend my spirit and lend my inspiration to these kids, because I know exactly what they’re going through because I was one of them at one point in time not too long ago”.
Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, his childhood years weren’t all that easy. His family struggled with poverty and his father, an ex-con, was never around. His basketball coach took him in, so James was able to focus on school and playing the sport that he loved. After high school, he went straight to the NBA and was named the youngest player to be drafted at the age of 18 years old. 
James has continuously supported the African American community, and  uses his platforms to voice the opinions and needs of his people on social media, through interviews, and both on and off the court.In 2018, LeBron opened the I Promise school, with the mission to give underprivileged kids from his hometown a better chance through education. 
Then, in 2019, James announced the renovation of an apartment building in Akron to be utilized as transitional housing for students, to have a place of stability while they are being educated. Next year, James plans to use his financial resources and connections to provide as many as 2,000 full-ride scholarships, for the students participating in his I Promise Program, to the University of Akron.