Charles Barkley’s Generosity Empowers Black Students at Auburn University

basketball player Charles Barkley has recently made headlines for his decision to allocate $5 million to black students at Auburn University, his beloved alma mater.

ruling on affirmative action. This bold act demonstrates Barkley’s unwavering commitment to creating equal opportunities and fostering educational success for underrepresented communities.

By Leahjean M. Denley, MBA

In a display of remarkable generosity, former professional

Barkley’s choice to redirect funds in his will from supporting homeless youth to empowering black students comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s

As an alumnus of Auburn University, Barkley’s decision to support black students at his alma mater demonstrates his enduring love and appreciation for the institution that played a significant role in shaping his life. “In my will, I am leaving Auburn $5 million,” Barkley said, per AL.com. “I’m going to change it to be just for scholarships for Black students. That’s just my way of trying to make sure Auburn stays diverse.” An outspoken advocate for social justice, Barkley often uses his platform to address issues of racial inequality and create positive change. His decision to redirect his charitable contributions aligns with his ongoing commitment to fighting against systemic injustices and ensuring equal opportunities for all. re

By directing his philanthropic efforts toward black students, Barkley is helping to level the playing field and ensures that they have equal opportunities to thrive academically and pursue their dreams at Auburn University.

Barkley’s choice flects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by black students in today’s educational landscape. With the recent Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action, the need for alternative avenues of support for underrepresented students has become more pressing. Barkley’s decision is a testament to his unwavering dedication to social justice and educational empowerment. By recognizing the impact of recent Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action, his generosity paves the way for black students to excel academically, ensuring they have access to the resources they need to succeed. His act of philanthropy not only uplifts individuals, but also ignites a broader conversation about the importance of equal opportunities for all.

THE VAST WONDER OF THE WORLD Biologist Ernest Everett Just

By Melina Mangal

Contrary to perceptions, the presence of African Americans has been in every field, including science. This has not been a recent phenomenon—Black History Month has shown us that, thereby changing the perceptions and teaching our children our legacy.

Such is the case with Melina Mangal’s children’s book, The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just. Born in 1883 in Charleston, South Carolina, Just’s interest in the world of water developed at an early age. He faced the realities of life for African Americans— his father dying when he was four, surviving typhoid fever, experiencing hurricanes and the fire that destroyed the school his mother built, and on top of that, the Jim Crow segregation laws pervading the South. In spite of these challenges, he never stopped observing nature. Continuing his education up North, his calling came into clarity; the study of cells. As such, he became a biology professor at Howard University. His work made breakthroughs through teaching observation of living things in their natural environment. Ultimately, his research garnered him the NAACP Spingarn Medal for achievement. His ideas and research on cells were warmly received and respected by scientists around the world. Sadly, that wasn’t the case in the U.S., and he eventually moved to Europe to become an independent researcher. At the end of the day, Just’s work as a biologist paved the way for such studies as today’s stem cell research, and it all began with a child’s interest in the world of water and cells. In his words, “Environment and organism are one; neither can be separated from the other.” Another quote of his is a telling and ironic commentary whenever he came from Europe to the U.S.: upon seeing the Statue of Liberty he said, “This is where my liberty ends.” took Sharing Our Stories By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor this

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