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LeBron James -

The NBA superstar launched the I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

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LeBron James -

"At the I Promise School, our goal is to let every single kid know they are special. That they can be whatever they want to be. And that starts with addressing everything they're going through before they even step foot in a classroom," said James.

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Shakira -

Through her foundation, Pies Descalzos, the Colombian music star has opened a whopping eight schools in her home country.

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Shakira -

“I want to demonstrate ... how we can change the lives, not only of the children who come to school, but also their families. Entire communities can be transformed when you have a school that functions properly,” said the singer.

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Tony Bennett -

The legendary singer founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in 1999, in New York City.

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Tony Bennett -

“We’re the opposite of instant fame. We want to teach the students quality and to do things that will last forever,” said Bennett.

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Serena Williams -

The tennis star used funds from her foundation to open The Serena Williams Secondary School in Kenya.

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Serena Williams -

Williams has also built schools in other countries, including Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Jamaica.

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Diddy -

In 2016, the music mogul founded the Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School in New York City. And then in 2020, he launched the Capital Preparatory School in the Bronx.

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Diddy -

“My dream has always been to provide children in communities like the Bronx the high-quality education they deserve. We’re not just teaching reading, math, and coding. We are grooming future leaders that will change their communities and the world,” he said.

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Madonna -

In 2013, the singer opened  a number of community schools in Malawi, where her adopted children were born. Madonna continues to help children in the country though her charity, Raising Malawi.

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Madonna -

“I love Malawi, I am committed to help end poverty here,” said the pop star.

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Oprah Winfrey -

In 2007, the famous TV host opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. 

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Oprah Winfrey -

But Oprah has also invested in the US. In 2010, she donated US$6 million to charter schools.

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Angelina Jolie -

The actress used the funds of her jewelry line, Style of Jolie, to open an all-girls school in Afghanistan.

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Angelina Jolie -

"Beyond enjoying the artistic satisfaction of designing these jewels, we are inspired by knowing our work is also serving the mutual goal of providing for children in need," said Jolie.

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Andre Agassi -

In 2001, the tennis icon founded the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas.

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Andre Agassi -

Then in 2011, Agassi co-created the Canyon-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund. By 2013, the fund had invested in the building of 23 charter schools!

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Pitbull -

In 2013, the music artist opened the Sports Leadership and Management Academy (SLAM) in Miami.

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Pitbull -

"If sports is what you love, one way or another, it's a business you can get involved with ... whether you're a therapist, an attorney, a broadcaster," said Pitbull. "They're already labeling me 'Mr. Education,'" he joked.

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Common -

Common helped launch the charter school Art in Motion in his hometown of Chicago. "The revolution is not only economic and social, it's emotional too, and we're going have all those aspects here at this school for our children to be able to breathe and see and dream," he said during the school's opening.

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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith -

In 2008, the Hollywood power couple opened a private elementary school called the New Village Leadership Academy, in Calabasas, California.

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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith -

But there was a scandal about reported ties to the Church of Scientology, and in 2013 the school closed.

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Magic Johnson -

The NBA legend has opened a number of Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academies across the United States.

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Magic Johnson -

"Bridgescape provides students who have dropped out or are at-risk of dropping out of school, with a free alternative path to earning a high school diploma," says the description of the academies.

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Deion Sanders -

In 2012, the former NFL star founded the Prime Prep Academy in Texas.

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Deion Sanders -

Though following a number of issues, including Sanders being fired for alleged assault, the school closed doors permanently in 2013 due to financial insolvency.

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Kevin Johnson -

The former basketball player turned politician founded a charter school network called the St. HOPE Public Schools in Sacramento, California.

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Jalen Rose -

In 2011, the sports broadcaster and former NBA player founded a charter school called the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA) in Chicago.

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Jalen Rose -

“My goal at JRLA is to provide a private school education in a public school setting so that a student’s ZIP code doesn’t dictate the education they receive [...] I am humbled by the opportunity to help further the education of our youth as well as be able to create jobs for my community,” he said.

Sources: (HuffPost) (TheRichest) (USA Today) (People)

See also: Charitable celebrities who created scholarships

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