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In a heartfelt essay for The Shriver Report’s series “A Woman’s Nation Pushes Back from the Brink,” LeBron James shed light on the financial struggles faced by American women, especially the one in three teetering on the edge of poverty.
Sharing his personal connection to the issue, James expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support single mothers who are working hard to provide for their children, much like his own mother did when he was growing up. He emphasized that his mother, Gloria James, is a true champion in his eyes.
When Gloria became a mother at sixteen, she and LeBron found themselves living with her own mother in Akron, Ohio. Tragically, they lost their home when LeBron was just three years old following his grandmother’s sudden passing from a heart attack.
We moved twelve times in just three years, which was really scary. It was a constant struggle to make it through each day. My mom worked tirelessly wherever she could find a job to make sure we had enough to get by. But through all the chaos, one thing was certain – my mom was always there for me, providing comfort and security. She was my rock, my everything. Even though we didn’t have much, I never once doubted how much she loved and cared for me. I may have gone without a lot of things, but I always felt valued and loved by my mom.
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When I was nine years old, my mother made a tough decision to provide me with stability in my life. She recognized the need for me to have a sense of security and support, similar to what she had growing up in a large family. So, she entrusted me to the care of my pee-wee football coach’s family, known as “Big Frankie” Walker. She later explained to me that it wasn’t an easy decision, but it was made out of love and a desire to prioritize my well-being over her own. To read more about James’ story and explore contributions from other notable figures like Beyonce and Eva Longoria, check out The Shriver Report.