NBA point guard Chris Paul announced Wednesday, June 28, that he would be joining the Houston Rockets in a trade after playing the last six seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. His commitment to the Los Angeles community continued up until the eve of his announcement. The Chris Paul Family Foundation in partnership with Kaiser Permanente awarded two Compton area elementary schools with a $100,000 grant to refurbish and equip Lovelia P. Flournoy Elementary School and Compton Avenue Elementary School with computer labs.
“In these different underserved communities, kids aren’t getting the same access to technology that kids on the other side of town are getting,” said Paul. “These kids don’t have any say so, if the school systems or the government isn’t going to do their part, then I think it’s up to us.”
On Tuesday, June 27, the two organizations unveiled the new computer lab at Compton Elementary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for students, their parents and LAUSD officials.
“This is a tangible resource to help us close the achievement gap,” commented Compton Avenue Elementary School principal, Lashon Sanford. “To be instructed and learn on a higher level where it will empower students to be competitive for these next generation careers is amazing.”
The lab features all new computers, monitors, printers and software for K-2nd graders to utilize while integrating digital technology into their coursework.
“When you’re in a small tight-knit community, you don’t see all the possibilities that could be open to you,” said Julie Miller-Phipps, president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “They now virtually have access to understanding that there is so much beyond these walls to go and see and learn about and to be. That hope and excitement is what it’s all about, you want to have a dream and you want to go for it. That’s the American spirit right?”
Beyond the walls of Compton Avenue Elementary School are the Nickerson Gardens projects that have a complicated history. Students were put through a resiliency workshop to encourage them to move beyond their environment.
“Year-in and year-out a lot of people are doing the same thing, it’s almost systemic, so until we try to make a change and change the mindsets of these kids, it’s going to continue to happen,” said the nine time All-Star. “No matter what’s across the street or who’s across the street, being the projects or the suburbs, the one thing everyone has in common is that they want to see kids prosper.”
Paul, the current president of National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), is no stranger to giving back to underserved communities and his work has not gone unnoticed. He is the three-time recipient of the NBA Cares Community Assist award, last received in 2015. He was also named the 2016 ESPN Humanitarian of the Year.
“The awards aren’t important,” remarked Paul humbly. “It is what we’ve had the opportunity to do in different underserved communities that is what means the most.”
While his foundation continues to do work whether it is in his hometown of North Carolina, New Orleans, where he played for six years before coming to L.A. and now Houston, Paul says he wants his legacy to follow him.
“It’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than basketball, it’s seriously about these kids,” said Paul.
