Charles Barkley has been delivering on his efforts to help HBCUs, and this month he came through again.
Last week, the first installment of Barkley’s $1 million pledge to Bethune-Cookman was delivered. It was a donation that university AD and men’s head basketball coach Reggie Theus called “a game changer.”
Barkley has been extremely generous in his higher ed donations, especially to HBCUs.
In 2016, Barkley pledged $1 million each to Alabama A&M and Clark Atlanta University. A year later, he pledged $1 million to Morehouse College. In 2020 he pledged $1 million each to Miles College and Tuskegee University and last year he added Spelman to his HBCU roster with a $1 million donation.
And Alabama, his home state, has always been at the center of his heart.
Not only did he donate to Alabama A&M and Miles College, but after the Supreme Court gutted Affirmative Action, he changed his will to allocate $5 million specifically for Black students at Auburn, his Alma matter.
The gifts by Barkley are extremely impactful and aid in the growth of HBCUs across the country.
โThis is a transformational gift to the institution and a true measure of Mr. Barkleyโs commitment to advancing educational opportunities,โ said Alabama A&M president Andrew Hugine Jr. of Barkley’s $1 million pledge.
For Bethune-Cookman, Barkley’s donation comes in time to help with the construction of a new on-campus turf practice facility for its football team that’s slated to open this fall.
Barkley’s name also aided in attracting support for the field’s construction from companies like Musco Lighting, The Honey Bear Project, and SCG Fields LLC, which helped BCU through price reductions and in-kind gifts.
Better facilities and offerings will help recruiting and the department’s overall future.
“Progress is needed everywhere on campus”, said Theus in the release. “I came here to make a difference, and that’s what I intend to do. We have so many needs, but none more significant than the need to build sustainable partnerships. The list is long, and it’s getting longer. I’m seeking donors for a new track, basketball arena, locker rooms for our football team, and more.
“It’s a mountain to climb, and I’m at the bottom. Thanks toย The Barkley Foundationย and others, I’m not alone. B-CU can and will attract more donors like Barkley, who want to make a difference and continue a legacy started in 1904 by a determined Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.”
Let’s hope more athletes, past and present, follow Barkley’s lead and help the future of educational institutions, especially HBCUs.
