LeBron James speaks at opening of new hometown public school

FAN Editor

Last Updated Jul 30, 2018 4:44 PM EDT

LeBron James spoke at the opening of the new I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. The appearance marks the first time James has spoken publicly since deciding to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

James said he chose to open the school because, as a kid who grew up in Akron, he knows exactly what young students are going through. “I know the streets that they walk. I know the trials and tribulations they go through. I know the ups, the downs,” he said. “I know everything they dream about and the nightmares they have… because I’ve been there. They’re the reason that this school is here today.”

James tweeted his excitement on Sunday before the school opened its doors, calling it “one of the greatest moments” of his life.

“The jitters before the first day of school are real right now!!! Tomorrow is going to be one of the greatest moments (if not the greatest) of my life when we open the #IPROMISE School,” James said on Twitter.

His LeBron James Family Foundation partnered with Akron Public Schools to design the school for public school students in the area who come from difficult circumstances. It will initially open its doors to 240 third- and fourth-grade students, and will add first- and second-grade classes in 2019. The school plans to offer first through eighth grade classes by 2022.

Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan and singer Tori Kelly attended Monday’s ceremony.

Watch the ceremony in the player above. 

© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Free America Network Articles

Leave a Reply

Next Post

Tech Earnings: Apple, Tesla, Baidu Report This Week

This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com. Wall Street is in for another packed week of earnings, with over 150 S&P 500 companies slated to release their financial results, according to FactSet. This week, large-cap tech companies will continue to capture the spotlight, as investors look forward to reports by […]