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Russell Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star and 2017 MVP — accolades that speak to his skill set. When he isn’t dominating the court, the Denver Nuggets point guard dedicates his time to making a difference through his Why Not? Foundation. Founded in 2012, Westbrook’s foundation strives to lead, impact, and inspire underserved communities. With a focus on education, mental health, and career development, it seeks to bridge socioeconomic gaps and encourage people to believe in themselves and overcome obstacles, according to its website. “I started my foundation strictly based on education initially,” Westbrook told AFROTECH™. “I wanted to expand into other areas that I felt [would] be beneficial for the people, not just in Los Angeles, but globally, with mental health and in the workforce, and obviously keeping education as part of our pillars.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Russell Westbrook Enterprises (@westbrookenterprises) “Why Not?” has been hailed as a...
Russell Westbrook’s passion for sports is spilling into the investment arena. According to a press release, the Los Angeles Clippers player is investing in the 320-acre sports complex Arizona Athletic Grounds, previously known as Bell Bank Park and Legacy Sports Park, in Mesa, AZ. Per the Phoenix Business Journal, it is not clear how much stake Westbrook acquired in the deal. Arizona Athletic Grounds caters to the youth and adults offering various athletic programming and events throughout the year. The facility offers eight baseball and softball fields; 19 basketball courts; 24 soccer fields, football and lacrosse fields; 57 indoor volleyball courts; 12 beach volleyball courts; 41 pickleball courts; 22 futsal courts; a 14,000-square-foot performance center; and an array of festival fields. Its diverse sports offerings draw more than 4 million annual visitors per year. Looking ahead, Arizona Athletic Grounds leaders hope to accelerate their basketball programming with the help of...
Russel Westbrook is expanding his portfolio to reach the digital advertising arena. According to a press release, the NBA star and entrepreneur has launched Russell Westbrook Enterprises’ new digital media division, RW Digital. The sector will have specific programmatic solutions empowering brands to reach diverse audiences and owned and operated minority publishers. “With RW Digital, my mission is to enable brands to reach multicultural audiences through programmatic data-driven media solutions. Current multicultural advertising lacks marketplace knowledge and a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Our platform also partners with brands to drive social impact to important social causes,” said Russell Westbrook, according to a press release. “Empowering underserved communities is my passion. With this venture, I can make an impact on a global scale.”
This organization teamed up with NBA superstar Russell Westbrook to help bring hundreds of jobs to the community in South LA. LeadersUp has always been on a mission to empower and uplift the community which made them a match made in heaven during Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation’s (WNF) Coming Home Event last month. During the single-day activation, the event celebrated Westbrook’s return to Los Angeles as a Laker while also providing community members with immediate on-the-spot health services, educational services, and job training. “Being from the inner city, I understand the resources, access, and opportunities that are needed for young people,” said Westbrook, according to a press release. “It’s a privilege to be able to help the South LA community and beyond, whether it’s through education or job creation.” Jeffery Wallace, LeadersUp President and CEO, also shared the same sentiments in a statement: “I applaud Russell Westbrook’s leadership and strategic philanthropic...
Russell Westbrook may not be the richest star in the National Basketball Association (NBA) — but he’s certainly up there. As AfroTech previously reported, Westbrook was one of the top-paid players in the NBA for the 2021-2022 season. He made more than $44 million just for his work on the court alone. But that’s nothing compared to the money he’s making due to the variety of wise business moves he’s been making as of late. Russell Westbrook has been investing in everything from Varo Bank to car dealerships. He even has some great real estate deals under his belt. And all of this is a great way to re-invest the money he’s made in his NBA career, which is actually one of the richest NBA deals ever made in terms of value in history. And, like many successful NBA players, Russell Westbrook even has his own signature shoe line with the Jordan Brand at Nike. “The nine-time All-Star extended his deal with Nike’s Jordan brand in 2017 for another ten years, and in 2018 received his first...
NBA star Russell Westbrook is linking up with Hennessy to kick off a new initiative that aims to support minority business owners. According to HYPEBEAST, the “Make Moves That Start Movements” program will expand on Hennessy’s Unfinished Business initiative — a platform created to provide material resources to Black, Asian and Latinx entrepreneurs who found themselves impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Westbrook himself will provide donations to aid the spirits brand’s efforts — which has already distributed over $5 million in funding — as they look to demonstrate community support from the NBA. “The NBA has always demonstrated a desire to push the game to new heights and into new arenas of culture,” said Jasmin Allen — Senior Vice President of Hennessy US — said in a statement. “Led by the actions of players, the league, and the larger basketball communities that embody Hennessy’s Never Stop. Never Settle. ethos, the game’s influence goes well beyond the court to impact communities...
NBA player Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat just gave these local Miami students the upgrade of a lifetime by surprising them with digital learning tools, Newsone reports. After teaming up with AT&T and Connected Nation, a nonprofit with a commitment to bridging broadband and digital technology gaps throughout the country, Adebayo was able to provide the after-school program with digital devices and hotspots for the next school year. The efforts will help the students further their learning both at the center and from the comfort of their homes. This comes as a part of AT&T’s $2 billion commitment over the next 3 years to address the digital divide. Oxford defines the digital divide as “the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the internet and those who do not.” “For so many students, our nation’s schools and nonprofit organizations are their only source for social connections and resources for remote learning that have become so vital for future success,” said...
Washington Wizards’ star Russell Westbrook has announced a notable feat to form a new middle school and high school in his Los Angeles hometown to empower tomorrow’s leaders, PEOPLE shares. The former MVP has reportedly teamed up with the L.A. Promise Fund to open the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy in an effort to “create better access to educational and outdoor opportunities for children and the community at large in South L.A.,” Westbrook told PEOPLE. According to PEOPLE, the work Westbrook has done through his Why Not? Foundation has helped him acknowledge how neglected schools in underserved communities are when it comes to resources and funding to support students. “I not only want to inspire and empower these students but I want to help provide the essential and necessary resources to set them up for success beyond the classroom,” he shares with the outlet. I am excited to announce my @WhyNotFdn is partnering with @LAPromiseFund to launch the Russell Westbrook Why Not?...
NBA legend-turned-financial powerhouse Russell Westbrook doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Just last week, it was announced that he was joining Varo Bank’s advisory board. Now, he’s adding another arrow to his financial quiver. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that the Washington Wizards point guard has joined forces with Acrisure — the top 10 global insurance broker — to form Evolution Advisors, LLC, in a joint venture. Westbrook, who is a founding partner of this new venture, will be focused on providing greater access to insurance products and financial services to minority-owned enterprises, including Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certified businesses. “Access to insurance is crucial to the success of any business,” said Russell Westbrook, in the press release announcement. “Unfortunately, minority-owned businesses don’t always have the same opportunities as everyone else, so I am thrilled to partner with Acrisure on this endeavor where we can...
NBA superstar Russell Westbrook is proving he’s a superstar both on and off the court. The Washington Wizards point guard has announced, via TechCrunch, that he’s led the latest $63 million funding round for Varo Bank, a neo-bank that is one of the first to be granted a national bank charter. Westbrook will also join its advisory board with his investment in efforts to provide guidance when it comes to Varo Bank’s programs geared toward underserved communities. Warburg Pincus, The Rise Fund, Gallatin Point Capital, HarbourVest Partners, and funds managed by BlackRock are the neo-bank’s existing partners, and they’ve also joined this latest funding round, as well. This latest funding round puts Varo Bank’s total funding at a whopping $482.4 million. Varo Bank offers an easily accessible bank account with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, and a modern mobile app experience. It also includes high-interest savings and provides customers with access to a network of 55,000...
As we prepare to wrap up the holiday season, it’s a joy to see celebs continuing to give back. With the digital divide still being a major issue now elevated due to the global pandemic, it’s imperative that students have access to the resources that they need particularly with schools pivoting to only online instruction. Marlon Wayans is ensuring that this happens having recently donated computers to children in Harlem, reports NewsOne. “Brought a bunch of computers for Harlem kids in NYC,” wrote the comedian in an Instagram post. “Using my hard work to build other roses from concrete. Go be great…know somebody cares…ME! Invest in your communities that watch you buy could help buy kids a future. #tanikabean love you! Your passion made me passionately give. Invest in your communities, they need us.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans) Pew Research Center reports that 59 percent of parents with lower incomes fear their children will face...