Last week, Charles Barkley, inspired by the impact Spelman College had on his business partner’s daughter, decided to donate $1 million to the HBCU institution.
Jordyn Hudson, daughter of Barkley’s business partner John Hudson, so impressed Barkley that he decided to make the financial commitment to the institution.
“John has been a great mentor, a great friend and a great business partner,” said Barkley to al.com. “I was ready to do another HBCU and with his daughters doing great things at Spelman, so I told him, ‘Why not there?'”
This isn’t Barkley’s first HBCU addition to his philanthropic portfolio.
In 2016, he pledged $1 million each to Alabama A&M and Clark Atlanta University.
“This is a transformational gift to the institution and a true measure of Mr. Barkley’s commitment to advancing educational opportunities,” said Alabama A&M president Andrew Hugine Jr. at the time.
A year later, he pledged $1 million to Morehouse College and in 2020 he pledged $1 million each to Miles College and Tuskegee University.
Barkley, born and raised in Leeds, Alabama, always looks out for his home state.
Not only did he give to Alabama-based HBCU institutions Alabama A&M, Miles College and Tuskegee, but in the summer of 2021 he gave $1,000 to each Leeds City Schools employee and also helped students received 200 computers and free internet service for a year.
Barkley’s caring and charitable nature is not lost on Hudson.
“What can you say about someone who is so giving and charitable with their resources with all they’ve accomplished?” said Hudson. “He has a special place in his heart for Black women; I’ve seen him invest in Black female-owned companies. This is just another indication of Charles investing in something that is close to his heart.”
