Jrue and Lauren Holiday have announced the third round of funding for Black-owned businesses that totals $1 million in a press release. It is a continuation of NBA Champion Jrue Holiday’s pledge during the 2019-2020 season to donate a portion of his salary to the JLH Social Impact Fund. As previously reported by AfroTech, the JLH Social Impact Fund was created by the couple to serve as support for underrepresented communities not only through monetary resources but mentorship and other services that are needed to scale a business. “We are so excited to announce our third round of grant funding to these very deserving Black-owned businesses and nonprofits, who are helping their communities thrive,” said Jrue and Lauren Holiday in a statement. “Every year we grow our extended JLH family with the hope of shining a light on the need, but also to be an example of how real change occurs when you invest directly in the communities and the people who are underserved.”

The social justice initiatives keep rolling in, and now athletes are stepping into the mix to help fight against systemic racism. New Orleans Pelicans star Jrue Holiday has generously pledged his remaining NBA 2019-2020 salary toward social justice funds and initiatives, BET reports . In collaboration with his wife and former U.S. women’s soccer team player Lauren Holiday, the two have formed the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Justice Impact Fund . View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jrue Holiday (@jrue_holiday11) “I have pledged the remainder of my 2020 NBA salary as a progressive step toward combating systemic racism as well as social and economic inequality that continues to prevent Black communities from upward mobility,” Holiday wrote in his post. According to his post, the philanthropic fund will assist “Black-led nonprofits, programs and institutions of higher learning” in New Orleans, as well as the Los Angeles area and Indianapolis, where Jrue and Lauren are...