NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley Donates $1 Million to HBCU Spelman College
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Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic Charles Barkley
NBA legend and beloved analyst Charles Barkley has announced he will donate $1 million to Atlanta's Spelman College.
According to AL.com, the generous donation will be Barkley's sixth contribution to a historically Black college or university (HBCU).
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Barkley, 59, has a personal connection to the women's college — his longtime friend and business partner John Hudson has a daughter, Jordyn, at Spelman — and the Hall of Famer said he's seen the positive impact the school has had on Jordyn, an incoming sophomore who will serve as class president.
"John has been a great mentor, a great friend, and a great business partner," Barkley told 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?'"
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Hudson told AL.com that the NBA on TNT analyst is passionate about giving back. "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," said Hudson.
Barkley's friend told the outlet, "[Charles] knows how committed Jordyn is to Spelman and has seen how it has transformed her worldview."
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Hudson added, "What can you say about someone who is so giving and charitable with their resources with all they've accomplished?"
Barkley has previously donated to Alabama A&M Huntsville, Morehouse College, and Miles College in Birmingham, among others, AL.com reported.
"He has a special place in his heart for Black women; I've seen him invest in Black female-owned companies," Hudson continued. "This is just another indication of Charles investing in something that is close to his heart."
