He’s making sure more students head to college!
Kevin Durant celebrates the inaugural graduating class of College Track at his Durant Center in Maryland, USA Today Sports reports.
The two-time NBA champion launched the Durant Center in 2019, partnering with College Track, a national initiative that prepares students from underserved communities to pursue higher education. A Prince George’s County native, Durant brought the center to his hometown of Suitland, Maryland, focusing on boosting the stats of students who attend college in the county. According to College Track, only 40% of residents in PG County attend college, Durant committing $10 million to the center’s mission.
The organization recently celebrated its inaugural graduation class with a ceremony held at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Durant was in attendance for the festivities, cheering the class on as he watched 51 students graduate from the program in a Launch to College ceremony.
His mother Wanda Durant shared some uplifting words with the class, saying, “Young scholars I just want to say I’m extremely proud of you. Enjoy being young people. Enjoy changing the trajectory of your families’ lives.”
A Durant Center scholar, Davvid C., was awarded the Scholar Award for Authenticity, speaking candidly about how the center has helped change him for the better. “The biggest lesson I learned these last four years is that knowledge and reflection are key to realizing who I am and who I want to become,” he said.
The students gathered together with Durant for a group photo, showing off their college shirts from all around the country, repping HBCUs like Bowie State, Morgan State, and Howard.
Durant spoke to the students and encouraged them to keep going. “Thank you for the hard work you put in for four years and we look forward to four more as you keep going,” said Durant.
Congratulations to all the graduates! And thank you KD for investing in the futures of the next generation.
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