Jaylen Brown flies to Puerto Rico, explores local partnerships to increase educational access
Following the NBA All-Star game, Brown traveled from Indianapolis to San Juan to learn about how he can extend his foundation to the island.
As the NBA All-Star break comes to a close and players soak up their last days of vacation, some players never stopped working.
Less than two days after competing in the All-Star game, Jaylen Brown was back on the basketball court. While he was matched up against much smaller opponents during the youth basketball event in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, the 7uice Foundation founder didn’t miss a beat.
Brown’s visit to San Juan occurs as the Celtics forward looks to expand his philanthropic impact. In partnership with VRDG Group, a local investment firm, Brown is exploring ways to increase education access on the island.
“I came here to enjoy a few days of vacation before reporting (to Boston) to continue the season. But also to explore Puerto Rico and get together with individuals to see how we can make a better world,” Brown told a reporter from El Nuevo Día during the event at the Puerto Rico Coliseum.
Brown, a longtime champion of educational equity, is on a mission to bridge the opportunity gap for children in black and brown communities. After signing a record $305 million max-contract with the Celtics in July, he explained why education is one of his foundation’s primary focuses.
“I think education is one of the most powerful devices that we have and is one of the ways our social mobility is being controlled at a very early age,” Brown said.
On Tuesday, he said that kids in the continental United States face very similar problems as those in Puerto Rico.
“Opportunities, resources, creating jobs and well-being for African Americans and Latinos. [Those] things that are not talked about. Education is something that I have always been passionate about, finding different ways for youth to have the best education, being a spokesperson,” Brown said.
During his first trip to Puerto Rico, Brown’s goal was to have conversations with local leaders and learn about what possibilities exist for future initiatives.
“Basically, I want to get a feel, get familiar,” Brown said. “I hope that after this visit, there will be many more and I will learn a little.”
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