The National Museum of African American History and Culture has just received a $5 million donation from basketball legend, Michael Jordan in addition to a jersey he wore during the 1996 NBA finals. This is the largest gift that the museum has received from a sports figure, raising its total donations (for both private and public funds) to more than $548 million.
This is a very generous gift from the sports icon who also recently invested $500,000 in youth literacy programs and donated $1 million to the Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to support this museum,” Jordan said in a statement as reported by The Washington Post. “I also am indebted to the historic contributions of community leaders and athletes such as Jesse Owens, whose talent, commitment and perseverance broke racial barriers and laid the groundwork for the successful careers of so many African Americans in athletics and beyond.”
Museum Founding Director Lonnie G. Bunch III expressed gratitude for Jordan’s contribution by saying, “His gift will enable our visitors to explore how sports were used to break barriers as a way to gain full participation in American society.”
President Obama is set to open the National Museum of African American History and Culture on September 24th of this year. Thanks to Jordan’s donation, the museum will name a section of its sports gallery the Michael Jordan Hall.
