Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gives Los Angeles kids the chance to make 'a shot that can’t be blocked'

In the annals of professional basketball, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has made his mark as a champion at his alma mater, UCLA, and in the NBA. On Nov. 17, he further cemented his legendary vision off the court on a visit to UCLA Community School, where his nonprofit, the Skyhook Foundation — in partnership with Adidas, the UCLA Alumni Association and Foundation, and the Los Angeles Unified School District — gifted students with new shoes and a backpack during a “Lace Up for Learning” event. 

“You can’t let learning only be about what happens in the classroom,” Abdul-Jabbar said to students assembled in the gymnasium at Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools in Koreatown–Pico-Union, where the UCLA Community School is located. “When I was your age, there were a lot of things I was curious about, and I had to figure out a way to find out about them. You’ve got to have your eyes open [and] go out into your world where you live and find out about it … find out about the things you want to do and that you want to learn about.”

Abdul-Jabbar was assisted in distributing the Adidas shoes and backpacks to students from the fourth, fifth and sixth grades at UCLA Community School by scores of volunteers from UCLA and LAUSD, as well as Deborah Morales, executive director of the Skyhook Foundation; Queena Kim, principal of UCLA Community School; Christina Christie, the Wasserman Dean of the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies; and Cheryl Lott, chair of The UCLA Foundation board of directors and a UC alumni regent emerita. 

The deep power of engagment and collaboration

“What truly makes today special is the celebration of partnerships,” said Kim, expressing her thanks for the 500 pairs of shoes and backpacks given to her students. “When schools, universities and the local community join forces, we create possibilities that none of us can create alone. It is the power of deep engagement and collaboration that enriches our classrooms and expands what powerful education can be.” 

A six-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Abdul-Jabbar greeted each student with kind words, fist bumps and even a couple of autographs on their shoeboxes.

“I’m happy,” he said. “I connected with the kids; I saw the smiles on their faces. I hope they use the equipment to do meaningful things. I want to give them an idea about what they can achieve and where they can go to get the knowledge to achieve those things.”

Founded in 2009, the UCLA Community School is a nationally recognized transitional kindergarten–through–12th-grade community school serving students in the Koreatown and Pico-Union neighborhoods of Los Angeles. More than 90% of the school’s graduates plan to attend college. Through a unique partnership between LAUSD and the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies, the school is a model and source of inspiration for teacher-led instruction, learning, collaboration, shared decision-making, and family and community engagement in community schools across California. 

“Our school is a testament to all that is possible when students, families, educators and community members unite around a shared commitment to opportunity and excellence,” Christie, dean of UCLA's education school, said. “We are honored to partner with the Skyhook Foundation in supporting our students and the community that makes this work possible.”

Giving kids an opportunity to change their lives and communities

In addition to the shoes and backpack giveaway, the fourth, fifth and sixth graders from RFK Community Schools are eligible to take part in Camp Skyhook, the flagship program of the Skyhook Foundation, in partnership with LAUSD. The five-day, four-night immersive outdoor experience in the Angeles National Forest hosts 85 students a week, with the aim of inspiring children from culturally, racially and socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods to learn and work together. With a curriculum developed by UCLA and NASA, students get hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a unique environment through a creative blend of technology, nature and the Next Generation Science Standards.

“The Skyhook Foundation grew out of my desire to give children an opportunity to change their lives and their communities through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) education,” said Abdul-Jabbar.

“Camp Skyhook ‘gives kids a shot that can't be blocked,’” he added, quoting its motto.

Region West Superintendent Denise Collier represented LAUSD at the event and thanked Abdul-Jabbar and the Skyhook Foundation for the “powerful reminder of generosity and leadership.”

“Your commitment to education shows us that greatness is measured not only by points and records but how we impact the lives of others,” said Collier. “Thank you for believing in the potential of every child.”

Christie addressed the UCLA Community School students, telling them, “You deserve access to the best knowledge and to possibility. To see creativity and leadership is part of your story. 

“Small things make a big difference … because when you walk to school with confidence and pride, you are reminded that your community and UCLA … we’re pulling for you, every step of the way,” Christie said. 

“The Skyhook ‘Lace Up for Learning’ event is a step in the growth of our service to our communities, to help get kids exploring their local environments and build upon the STEAM foundation that our schools are providing,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I am grateful to my alma mater, UCLA, and in particular the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies, as well as the UCLA Alumni Association and Foundation, for their assistance in making the 'Lace Up' L.A. event come to life.”