Charles Barkley was one of the most vocal and active supporters of Doug Jones in the race to defeat Roy Moore for a Senate seat in Alabama. Along with that, he showed his appreciation for the overwhelming turn-out of Black women at the polls in Alabama, by announcing that he will be making a hefty donation to fund the ambitions of Black women who wish to start up tech businesses.
“I’m announcing right now, I am pledging $1 million to black women in Alabama to start I.T. startups,” Barkley told the Inside the NBA panel while giving his reaction to the political developments in his native state.
He then followed up the spur of the moment announcement with a bit of wit that Kenny Smith didn't find so funny, but had Shaquille O'Neal doubling over in laughter. “That does not mean restaurants and hair salons, black women,” he quipped.
In the past, Barkley was criticized for taking stances that were contrary to popular opinion in the Black community, but many of his deeds have shown him to be a charitable man.
He's supported such organizations as Ante Up For Africa, ENOUGH Project, Hillsides, LIVESTRONG, Not On Our Watch, Stand Up To Cancer, United Service Organization, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Back in 2016, he pledged his commitment to Black education by donating $3 million to four HBCUs (Clark Atlanta University, Alabama A&M University, Morehouse College and his alma mater Auburn University).
Source: youtu.be
