Michael Jordan has joined the likes of Denzel Washington when it comes to digging deep into his pockets and donating to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, opening under the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., next month.
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The museum, set to open open September 24, will showcase how black athletes changed the world and made progress in the battle for civil rights.
Other notable athletes, including baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron and former basketball player Magic Johnson, have also made donations to the museum.
Jordan released a statement about the donation, expressing gratitude for the opportunity as well as those who came before him. Additionally, one of Jordan’s jerseys, which he wore during the 1996 NBA Finals, will be in the museum’s permanent collection.
In addition, a section of the sports gallery will be named after Jordan.
“We are extremely grateful to Michael Jordan for his game-changing support”, Bunch said in a statement.
Spanning 400,000 square-foot and holding more 36,000 artifacts, the museum is noted as the “only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture”.
Bunch III said Jordan’s gift would “enable our visitors to explore how sports were used to break barriers as a way to gain full participation in American society”, according to the Washington Post.
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The 400,000-square-foot museum is now under construction, but will open Sepember 24.
