December being here means just about everyone is in the spirit of the holiday season. The Indiana Fever are in the midst of its annual statewide toy drive.
In Louisiana, one of the WNBA’s 20 @ 20 greatest of all time, Lisa Leslie, also had the chance to spread some holiday cheer—and instill the importance of education in the process. She appeared at the Louisiana Federation for Children’s Christmas Celebration which took place in Baton Rouge this past week.
In her remarks at the gathering, she mentioned how she began to take her schoolwork more seriously as it was instilled in her that good grades will open up a host of other opportunities—including on the basketball court.
Leslie, an ardent supporter of the school choice movement, also mentioned when she chose to play her collegiate basketball at the University of Southern California, she also used the press conference announcing her decision to urge the media to talk more about what she perceived as a broken educational system in the United States.
I didn’t realize that everybody didn’t have the same exact education or the exposure. I didn’t know that my education was different or less than because I lived in the inner city. And that, when you’re a kid, that’s an eye-opening experience.
–Lisa Leslie at LFC Christmas Celebration
Leslie remarked that her appearance was a chance for her to speak on behalf of children living in inner cities and underperforming schools. She also encouraged parents to act and be more involved in their children’s education.
Why should we be stuck in certain areas to have less education because we may have less income. Something about that is not fundamentally right.
–Lisa Leslie at LFC Christmas Celebration
She closed her remarks with a message to parents that if they can influence their kids to hit the floor to do a couple of dance moves that they can hit a couple of books as well.
We are influencers and we are leaders in so many different directions. But, just remember, the most important direction that we need to be leaders and influencers is in education.
–Lisa Leslie at LFC Christmas Celebration
The organization describes itself on its website as one that aims to promote choice in education with emphasis on scholarship programs for underprivileged children.
(Video courtesy of Louisiana Federation for Children)
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
