Kyrie Irving Pays Tuition Fees for 9 HBCU Seniors

Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving ended 2020 with a bang by covering the tuition fees of nine HBCU graduating seniors, at Lincoln University.

Irving donated to the selected graduation seniors on December 10, 2020, according to The Athletic. The donation was part of the KAI Family Foundation’s 11 Days of Giving. Thanks to the NBA star, these seniors can face the real world without fear of paying-off their tuition and catering to their needs.

“I’m grateful for you all young leaders,” Irving said in a video released by the KAI Family Foundation. “I wouldn’t be sitting in my position and embracing who I am without knowing where I come from and people helping me along the way, so just paying it forward. I’ve committed to my service a long time ago and I’m walking the steps now and I want the same for others.”

A Lincoln University spokeswoman said Irving “paid the remaining balance that the nine students owed to the University, financially clearing them to graduate.” Although, the amount was not disclosed.

Irving’s donation to the Lincoln seniors followed immediately after another generous $20 million donation from MacKenzie Scott, a philanthropist and author. The donation also included other HBCUs across the country.

The NBA star is known for his generosity towards humanitarian services. In the summer of 2020, Irving pledged $1.5 million to WNBA who decided not to play due to the coronavirus pandemic and to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter in the wake of the George Floyd murder.

“Whether a person decided to fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health, or simply connect with their families, this initiative can hopefully support their priorities and decisions,” Irving said.

Irving has also partnered with Feeding America Lineage Logistics to donate meals to those affected by the pandemic, according to Black Enterprise.