Isiah Thomas, a former star in the National Basketball Association is partnering with Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens to encourage athletes, entertainers, and other successful people to support HBCUs. According to a statement released by the university, the new program is “intended to inspire successful athletes, entertainers and other influential partners to re-commit, embrace and support historically Black colleges and universities.”
This program will be called “Lift Ev’ry Voice.” This refers to the song “Life Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” which is commonly referred to as the “Black National Anthem.” James Weldon Johnson wrote the song originally as a poem and had his brother John Rosamond Johnson set it to music. He was a composer and music professor at what was then Florida Baptist Academy. That educational institution is now known as Florida Memorial University.
Thomas played two years of college basketball for Indiana University before entering the NBA draft. He played for 13 years for the Detroit Pistons. Thomas completed his degree from Indiana University during the Pistons’ offseasons and later earned his master’s degree in education from the University of California Berkeley.
As a 1989 graduate of HBCU Paine College in Augusta, GA who studied at Harvard and Brown Universities, I am encouraged by this talented tenth proposition. We have seen notable recent contributions by Beyonce’, Oprah Winfrey, Sean “P’Diddy” Combs, Anthony Anderson, Denzel Washington and Tom Joyner. Vouchsafes like these serve to inspire alumni and friend of HBCUs to re-commit, embrace and support America’s historically Black colleges and universities. Lift Ev’ry Voice and inspire. NBA Legend Isiah Thomas — I am motivated by your good work on behalf of HBCUs.
I think that this is a wonderful idea. Rather buying a lot of expensive cars and gaudy jewelry, the money would say a lot more about the giver and the receiver would be able to help a lot more athletes. It is time to do more for those who have less. Giving millions to those institutions that already have mega millions doesn’t say much. Helping HBCUs says a lot.
A timely effort, indeed!