LeBron James, the 41 year old NBA icon, lived with his single mother in Akron, Ohio, before he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004 and his life changed overnight. After playing in the league for over two decades, LeBron James reflects on the life he has had and how Akron inspired him to do better in life.
LeBron James reflects on the life he lived in Akron before making it big in his life and how he still helps his hometown
In an interview with TIME Magazine, the former Los Angeles Lakers’ icon LeBron James opened up about his life as he said, “I had so much time to explore and imagine and want to be more than a little Black kid that stays in the house and feels sheltered…”The star player added, “When you feel like you are being slighted, that’s a motivating factor,” he says. “I felt slighted that I was in a single-parent household. I felt slighted because I didn’t have any siblings. So I’ve always felt a certain chip on my shoulder.”The four time NBA champion LeBron James continued, “If I would have listened to the narrative of the outside world, I would have been doomed…Because everybody said it was a bad idea. Why am I hiring people with no education? Why am I hiring people that haven’t been in the business? Why am I hiring my childhood friends?”LeBron James continued, “Everybody, when it comes to things that have never been done before, they want you to go to the sound of the beat that was from yesterday, or the beat that was from 10 years ago. My mom never raised me to be that way.”
LeBron James has raised millions for Akron as he stands by the communities he belonged to
Over the last two decades, LeBron James has often spoken about the issues he faced growing up in Akron and how he has been constantly looking for ways to improve things in his hometown.The first thing which LeBron James did after making it big in his career was set up the LeBron James Family Foundation.The charity has worked for the communities in Akron as he has even set up an education wing, the I PROMISE School which has established schools for his hometown’s children.In the last few months, LeBron James has also partnered with luxury brands, including Mercedes Maybach to help raise funds for the people of Akron.At a time when his move to the Philadelphia 76ers have sparked heated debates across the league, it seems all LeBron James is focusing on is getting back to the court and making it a successful season before he retires.