SUITLAND, Md. — Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant is giving low-income students a “license to dream” as they started their first day Thursday at a new after-school facility a few blocks from the apartment where Durant grew up.
The Maryland native pledged $10 million over the next decade to build and support The Durant Center. The facility will provide scholarships, tutoring, and emotional and financial support to local students – 69 in this year’s inaugural class – in their college and career development.
“Incredible to see this come to life and spend time with the class of 2026 today,” said Durant in a tweet after hanging out with the inaugural students.
The Kevin Durant Charity Foundation collaborated with College Track and Prince George’s County Public Schools to open the facility.
College Track utilizes a 10-year plan to empower students from underserved communities to graduate from college. After Durant visited a College Track center two years ago in Oakland, the home of his NBA team and current residence, Durant saw an opportunity to give back to his hometown and create a legacy.
“Kevin Durant knows first-hand the combined power of opportunity, persistence, and ambitious dreams. Him standing with our students as they embark on their college completion journey sends a powerful message: the resources, support, and community that catalyze lifelong success belongs to all of us,” said Elissa Salas, CEO of College Track, in a press release.
Durant’s hometown school district is the second largest school system in Maryland and one of the nation’s 25 largest school districts. Prince George’s County Public Schools will donate $125,000 annually to support daily operations and the creation of a referral program to assist in recruiting students.
“Kevin Durant’s unselfishness in providing a program that supports over 3,500 students for 10 years cannot be captured in a dollar amount,” said Dr. Monica Goldson, Interim CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools in a statement. “The College Track program provides the license to dream and to realize those dreams. We are proud to invest in student success and create brighter futures.
The education center is not the only investment Durant made to his hometown recently. The nine-time NBA All Star also donated $60,000 for new basketball courts at the nearby Seat Pleasant Activity Center, where he first started playing basketball.
In 2018, Durant won the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for his support of low-income communities in the Oklahoma City, San Francisco, and Washington areas.
Durant and the Warriors play in Washington Thursday night against the Wizards.
