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Michael Jordan commits $10 million to UNC social work school in honor of mother

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Michael Jordan has committed $10 million to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work in honor of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan. UNC announced the gift Oct. 5, calling it the largest single contribution in the school’s history.

The commitment will support the school’s Global Social Development Innovations Center and the Jordan Institute for Families. The center will be renamed the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center. The university said the gift also will fund scholarships for students pursuing a Master of Social Work degree.

The gift establishes the Jordan Family Scholars program. Ten students will be named its first scholars, each receiving a $12,500 scholarship. UNC said the program is intended to help students facing greater financial barriers to graduate education.

Jordan said in a university statement that his mother has long believed in helping children, families and communities. He said honoring her through the gift is meaningful to him and his family, and that he hopes it will help more students pursue social work.

The Jordan Institute for Families was founded by Jordan and his family in 1996. Its work includes maternal health, caregiving, home visiting, mental health, economic support and child and family well-being. The Global Social Development Innovations Center, established in 2017, works with communities and local organizations on research-informed efforts to support young people and families.

Deloris Jordan’s work also has an international reach. UNC said she founded the Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Centre in Nairobi in 2010. The center serves survivors of gender-based violence and child abuse and trains first responders; the university reports that its programs have reached more than 203,700 people.

Michael Jordan played for the Tar Heels from 1981 to 1984, including UNC’s 1982 national championship season, and completed his degree in 1986.

Sources

University of North Carolina announcement · Associated Press report via The Washington Post · ESPN

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