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LeBron’s New House

LeBron James just opened House Three Thirty, a place in Akron, Ohio, where people can hang out, have fun, and learn valuable skills.

LeBron James smiles while holding a microphone and standing next to children in front of a small audience.

Angelo Merendino—Corbis/Getty Images

LeBron James isn’t just the best player in the NBA. He has also dedicated himself to giving back to Akron, Ohio, the city where he grew up. On March 30, 2023, his LeBron James Family Foundation opened House Three Thirty, a center where members of the community can shop, dine, and receive valuable training and advice. 

House Three Thirty is located near I Promise, the public school that is supported by James’s foundation. The center, which is intended to serve the school’s students and their families, includes plenty of places where families can gather or kids can hang out after school. There’s a taco restaurant, an ice cream shop, a music venue, and event spaces. There’s also a Starbucks, where employees will receive job certifications so that they can go on to have careers in the hospitality industry, and a kitchen where people can learn additional job skills.  House Three Thirty also has its own banking facility, where families can go for financial advice, or advice about money.

LeBron James hovers in the air about to make a basket as two opponents look on behind him.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Sport

LeBron James isn’t just the best basketball player in the world!

Community is extremely important to James. When he was growing up in Akron, his mom, his coach, and a tight-knit group of friends gave him the support he needed to reach his goals. He started his foundation so that other people would have that same sense of support.

“In everything we do as a foundation, it’s all about making our kids, parents and people across the community believe there can be more in their lives than they ever dreamed possible,” James said in a statement. “We designed House Three Thirty to create opportunities and open doors to show them that anything is possible, and that they can do it right here in Akron.”

Did You Know?

Alexander Tamargo—WireImage for LeBron James Family Foundation/Getty Images

LeBron James started his foundation in 2004 with the goal of giving back to the community where he grew up. Here are some of the foundation’s activities so far.  

  • The I Promise Program. The foundation has established a school, family housing, and college scholarships with the goal of giving kids the tools they need to stay in school and get a good education.
  • The I Promise Too Program. This program gives parents of I Promise School students the opportunity to finish their educations and expand their skills.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America. James and his foundation are longtime supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization that runs after-school programs for kids. The foundation has donated money and supplies to various Boys & Girls Clubs chapters.

 

A Champ Off the Court

Phil Walter/Getty Images

Serena Williams wins on and off the tennis court.

The world’s best athletes get to the top of their sport through hard work—and some choose to spend their precious downtime using their fame and influence to help others. Serena Williams, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, is one top athlete who’s committed to service.

UNICEF

Williams has worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) since 2006. In 2011, she became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, one of a long line of celebrities who donate their time to raise awareness about children in need around the world.

The Yetunde Price Resource Center

In 2016, Williams, along with her sister Venus, started the Yetunde Price Resource Center, named for their older sister, who was a victim of gun violence. The center works with local organizations to offer help and support to other victims of violence and their families so that they can begin to heal.

Serena Ventures

Williams co-founded Serena Ventures in 2014. The organization provides funding to businesses owned by women and people of color around the world to help promote creativity, inventiveness, and success. 

Williams retired from competitive tennis in 2022. But she has carried what she learned as an athlete into her efforts to help others.

“I want to be the best at what I do, whether I’m doing tennis or anything else, I definitely want to stand out and make a lasting impression,” Williams told a UNICEF representative in 2011. “I feel really happy that I have [a] platform. I’m going to be able to have an opportunity to use it for something that I truly care about.”

LeBron Soars!

LeBron James hovers in the air in a crowded stadium holding a ball he is about to dunk.

Greg Fiume/Getty Images Sport

You can learn more about the life and career of LeBron James at Britannica School.

WORD OF THE DAY

beneficent

PART OF SPEECH:

adjective

Definition:

: doing or producing good

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Word Flower

How many words can you make from these letters? All of your words must have four letters or more. All of your words must use the letter in the middle.

O
O
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