Photo Courtesy of Kevin Hart/ Instagram
Kevin Hart, Meek Mill, and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin plan to donate $15 million to 110 schools in Philadelphia.
Philly Voice reported that the massive donation would cover tuition costs at private and parochial schools in the city, which will enable low-income students to enroll. These plans will be in motion during the 2022-2023 school year.
Hart, Mill, and Rubin’s $15 million donation is reportedly the largest combined donation they’ve ever given to Philadelphia, where they grew up.
A day before their announcement, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. William Hite voiced his concerns about the lack of funding to schools and the achievement gap in his city. His testimony was a part of a trial that Pennsylvania allegedly did not adequately fund Philly schools. Six school districts were involved in the case in which they sued the state’s lawmakers.
“Philadelphia is the poorest big city in the country,” Dr. Hite said. “We have larger numbers of young people who don’t have access to early childhood services and who aren’t on grade level, those experiencing trauma, homelessness, are new to the country, have special needs, and those who need additional resources.”
Dr. Hite also said that approximately 65% of Philadelphia public schools are “economically disadvantaged.” Thankfully, Hart, Mill, and Rubin have stepped in to initiate change in their hometown. However, this isn’t the first time the trio has donated to Philly schools.
In 2018, Kevin Hart joined the United Negro College Fund, and the Knowledge is Power program to donate $60,000 scholarships to 18 students. Six of the students were located in Philadelphia.
“Education and knowledge are powerful. I just wanted to do my part in providing opportunities for our future leaders, especially from my Philly hometown, and show support for HBCUs,” Hart said. “This is just the beginning; trust me when I tell you there are a lot more kids who want to go to college who don’t have the money to make it happen.”
In 2020, Mill and Rubin teamed up to create a $2 million scholarship fund for 1,000 underserved students in the city of brotherly love. The money went towards the 2020-2021 academic year and helped children from pre-k to high school gain access to resources amidst the pandemic. These resources included laptops, tablets, and good Wi-Fi.