Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and the resulting closures and restrictions, millions of high school seniors have been robbed of traditional rites of passage such as prom and graduation ceremonies.
Thanks in part to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, these high schoolers will get to enjoy the next best thing – a virtual graduation ceremony.
“The NBA superstar is partnering with Laurene Powell Jobs’ XQ Institute and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) to host a virtual graduation ceremony for the more than 3 million high school seniors in the U.S.,” wrote Bryn Elise Sandberg of the Hollywood Reporter. “Together, they’ve enlisted a collection of actors, musicians, athletes and activists to participate in the festivities, including Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, Ben Platt, Lena Waithe, Megan Rapinoe, Pharrell Williams, Bad Bunny, Malala Yousafzai, Chika, YBN Cordae, Loren Gray, H.E.R., Brandan Bmike Odums and TikTok-ers Charli and Dixie D’Amelio.
“In a rather unprecedented move, the one-hour special, which is called Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020, will air simultaneously across all broadcast platforms — ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC — and on a host of leading entertainment, social media and streaming platforms — including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, PeopleTV and Complex Networks — on Saturday, May 16, at 8 p.m. ET. The show is being produced by Done + Dusted and James’ SpringHill Entertainment.”
James has a recent history of giving back to those who are less fortunate.
In the summer of 2018, he opened a public school in his native Akron, Ohio called the I Promise School. The facility was designed to assist low-income and at-risk kids while employing a curriculum that’s based on STEM.
James called opening the school his most important professional accomplishment.
He’s also been something of an activist when it comes to politics. He has publicly criticized President Donald Trump for, in his view, attempting to divide the American people.
James publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential bid, and he also donated $20,000 in 2008 to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
