Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand announced on Friday plans for a $100 million donation over the next decade "to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education."
Driving the news: Following George Floyd's killing and 11 days worth of Black Lives Matter protests in cities across the country, a variety of current and former athletes have also called for social justice reform.
The big picture: Black Americans are dying from the coronavirus at disproportionately high rates in many cities and states — which health officials attribute to the effects of economic inequality and chronic health conditions — while facing a greater likelihood of being shot and killed by police.
What they're saying: "The Jordan Brand is us, the Black Community," Jordan said in a statement. "We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice."
- "Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement. 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 company said.
Jordan also released a statement last Sunday addressing the death of Floyd, saying:
The statement did not specify which organizations the donations will support.
Go deeper: Black Americans' competing crises
