CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan and his Jordan Brand shoe-and-apparel division of Nike are pledging $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations supporting racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.
"Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement," a tweet announcing the pledge read. "Until the ingrained racism that allows our country's institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people."
The pledge follows an impassioned statement Sunday by Jordan, the only African American majority owner in the NBA, when he described himself as "plain angry" in reaction to the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
"I see and feel everyone's pain, outrage and frustration," Jordan said. "I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough."
Floyd died after a white Minneapolis policeman held his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes. Floyd was African American. He was handcuffed, and was heard to say, repeatedly, "I can't breathe" before dying. The officer who knelt on Floyd has been charged with murder and manslaughter.
This is the latest of several multimillion-dollar donations by Jordan. He made contributions for hurricane relief in the Carolinas and the Bahamas and donated $7.2 million to help build two Novant Health clinics in Charlotte.
Jordan Brand already had a program, Jordan Wings, to mentor minority youth and endow college scholarships.
"There is still more work for us to do to drive real impact for the Black community," Jordan Brand president Craig Williams said in a statement. "We embrace the opportunity."
Jordan's comments Sunday, released through the Hornets, specifically mentioned Floyd.
"My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice," said Jordan, who grew up in Wilmington before becoming a college star at North Carolina.
There was similar unrest in uptown Charlotte in 2016, after the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott. Spectrum Center, where the Hornets play, sustained heavy damage during the rioting that occurred then.
"I don't have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others. We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality," Jordan said.
Jordan joined numerous figures in pro and college sports over the weekend speaking on civil justice following Floyd's death.
"We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability," Jordan said.
"Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all."
