Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday and his wife Lauren are donating $1 million to Black-led nonprofit organizations and Black-owned businesses.
According to The New York Times, on Monday (May 17), the couple opened the second round of applications for the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund (JLH Fund). Last fall, the fund received the first round of grant distribution after the NBA star donated $5.3 million, which was the remainder of his 2020 salary. The grants will be centered in cities such as Milwaukee, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Los Angeles and will focus on social impact and building a more equitable tomorrow for underserved communities.
“When we first decided to start this fund, it was at an inflection point of two pandemics — the disproportionate effects that COVID-19 had on the Black community and businesses, and equally as devasting, the murders of George Floyd and many other unarmed Black people — resulting in an overwhelming feeling of helplessness,” said the Holidays. “We are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to help people through the JLH Fund and will continue to do this work and make the greatest impact possible.”
Last summer, Holiday told ESPN that he felt he and his family were not involved enough in their communities. The killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor really pushed them to start the fund.
“This next phase of the JLH Fund is taking a holistic approach to bring Jrue and Lauren’s long-term vision to life,” Alexys Feaster, manager of the JLH Social Impact Fund, added. “Doing this work right goes beyond the donations. It is understanding the values of Jrue and Lauren, that this is about bringing as many resources as we can to the people and the communities most in need. Black communities and businesses have been historically overlooked and underfunded and with the JLH Fund, we are building a community of support.”