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Celebrities Who Are Making A Big Difference In Education

Celebrities Who Are Making A Big Difference In Education

While American educators continue to be grossly underpaid for the work they do and public schools deal with massive underfunding, many celebrities are using their wealth and social platform in order to change things for the better.

Nelson Mandela once wrote that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” With the increasing availability of information—true or otherwise— providing a proper education to the next generation has become even more important.

While American educators continue to be grossly underpaid for the work they do and public schools deal with massive underfunding, many celebrities are using their wealth and social platform in order to change things for the better.

Musician Chance the Rapper has been very involved in improving schools in his hometown of Chicago and giving recognition to the parents and educators that are making a difference. A vocal philanthropist, Chance recently pledged a $2.2 million donation to 20 public schools during the summit held for his charity, SocialWorks.

His mission to shift the public’s focus to education doesn’t stop there. He’s also organizing the Twilight Awards, set to be held in June 2018. According to Chance, the ceremony will celebrate “teachers, parents, principals, and students that convey leadership” to give them the appreciation they deserve for the meaningful work they do.

Chance is definitely using his success to build the opportunities of future generations, but he’s not the only one. Many celebrities focus their monetary philanthropy on education with the understanding that an investment there is a promise for tomorrow. Some even go above and beyond to create an opportunity for education where there was none.

1. Pitbull

Besides being known as Mr. Worldwide, Pitbull took on the title of Mr. Education in 2013 when he opened the Sports Leadership And Management Academy (SLAM) magnet school in Miami.

The school’s goal is to educate children on core subjects with an emphasis on sports and sports management. The unique curriculum gives the students the skills they need while focusing on activities that engage and involve the students.

2. Serena Williams

While the education system in America is flawed, schools in impoverished nations provide even less opportunities for their youth. Knowing this, international tennis champion, Serena Williams opened up The Serena Williams Secondary School in Kenya with funds earned from the Serena Williams Foundation.

In Kenya, students have to pay $1 a week to attend school— a sum that is unaffordable for many families— so the Serena Williams Secondary School allows kids to attend for free. Since the first school opening, Williams has opened more schools across Africa; even pitching in herself during the building process.

3. Magic Johnson

Former NBA star and entrepreneur Magic Johnson understands that inner city kids have a higher risk of dropping out of school and ending up in the prison system, so he has focused on finding a place to help them find their way. To do so, he opened the Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academies in Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina and Ohio.

The schools’ alternative approach utilizes student-focused programs to provide opportunities to earn a diploma at a pace that works with their schedules, lifestyles, and learning needs.

4. Kevin Johnson

Besides being an NBA star and mayor of Sacramento, Johnson founded a charter school network called the St. HOPE Public Schools. The system is multi-tiered with a center for early childhood education, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school.

Johnson also has first hand knowledge of the school system as he is married to champion of education reformer Michelle Rhee.

5. Angelina Jolie

Humanitarian and actress Angelina Jolie knows that an investment in women is an investment in the future. In that spirit, she opened an all-girls school in Afghanistan in 2013. The school was funded by proceeds from Jolie’s jewelry collection, Style of Jolie, and in association with The Education Partnership For Children Of Conflict.

She has since continued to expand education in the Middle East, focusing especially on girls and children displaced by local and international conflicts.

The only way we can improve the world is to improve the situation of its citizens, and the most powerful way to do that is by giving them the education they need. These celebrities understand that the future will be shaped by learning, and they’re ensuring that our kids will have all the best chances to make that future a bright one.


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