Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand donate $2.5 million to fight Black voter suppression
“There is a long history of oppression against Black Americans that holds us back from full participation in American society,” Jordan said.
Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand are donating $2.5 million to combat Black voter suppression.
According to a statement released by the Jordan Brand on Wednesday (July 29), donations of $1 million each will be given to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) and the Formerly Incarcerated & Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM). Additionally, $500,000 will be given to Black Voters Matter. The organizations were chosen based on their “ability to take action that can create impact now.”
“I’m all in with Jordan Brand, the Jordan family and our partners, who share a commitment to address the historical inequality that continues to plague Black communities in the U.S.,” said Jordan.
“There is a long history of oppression against Black Americans that holds us back from full participation in American society,” he continued. “We understand that one of the main ways we can change systemic racism is at the polls. We know it will take time for us to create the change we want to see, but we are working quickly to take action for the Black community’s voice to be heard.”
This commitment is part of Jordan’s $100 million pledge towards social justice, economic justice and education and awareness which the NBA legend plans to donate over the span of 10 years.
“The $100 million commitment was just the start,” Jordan Brand president Craig Williams said. “We are moving from commitment to action. Our initial partners can directly impact the social and political well-being of the Black community. We will have a disciplined focus on social justice, economic justice and education, as the most effective ways for us to eliminate the systemic racism that remains in society.”
The aforementioned organizations will focus on areas where Black people are underrepresented in turnout and registration numbers compared to their overall population in those particular cities and states.