Michael Jordan has donated $10 million to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work, the largest single gift in the school’s history. The donation honors his mother, Deloris Jordan, a longtime social worker who has dedicated her life to supporting children, families, and communities.
“My mother has always believed in the power of helping children, families and communities, and she has spent her life putting that belief into action,” Jordan said in a statement. “Honoring her through this gift to the UNC School of Social Work is truly meaningful to my family and to me. North Carolina will always be home, and I’m proud to support the social workers who are on the ground each and every day helping people navigate challenges, find opportunities and build stronger communities. I hope this gift helps make it possible for more students to pursue this important work.”
The donation established the Jordan Family Scholars program, which provides scholarships to master of social work students at UNC. Ten students were named the inaugural Jordan Family Scholars and each received a $12,500 scholarship. UNC chancellor Lee H. Roberts expressed gratitude for the gift, saying it will strengthen the school’s ability to improve lives across North Carolina and beyond. “Deloris Jordan’s lifelong dedication to children and families is reflected in this investment,” Roberts said.
Deloris Jordan founded the Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Centre in Nairobi in 2010, a healthcare facility aimed at improving access to medical services throughout Kenya. According to UNC, the centre has reached more than 200,000 people. The university also renamed its Global Social Development Innovations Center in Deloris Jordan’s honor. The centre will host a global research symposium where scholars and practitioners from over 20 countries will discuss youth development. Deloris Jordan will speak about her work in Kenya during the two-day event.
Michael Jordan’s family has a history of supporting social work initiatives at UNC. In 1996, they established the Jordan Institute for Families, which focuses on maternal health, caregiving, home visiting, mental health, economic support, child and family well-being, and social work leadership.
Jordan’s connection to UNC dates back to his college basketball days, when he famously hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 national championship. Since then, he has continued to give back to the university in various ways, with this latest donation reflecting his ongoing commitment to his alma mater and his mother’s legacy.
According to Yahoo Sports.
