With Marcus Smart gone, Jrue Holiday is the heart and soul of this Boston Celtics team. He has received widespread acclaim for his measurable social justice efforts off the court. The NBA just recognized him for those efforts this past season with the Social Justice Champion award. This monumental achievement is a testament to his ferocious dedication to community support and advocacy. This distinction comes in addition to his second career victory of the league’s sportsmanship award. It’s a tribute that showcases his amazing character on and off the basketball court.
Holiday’s influence extends beyond his athletic performance. Along with his wife, Lauren, he and Lauren started the JLH Fund five years ago. To think of the difference this fund has already done is amazing! It has provided more than $5.3 million in grants to fund programs that serve businesses most impacted by systemic racism and economic injustice. The JLH Fund has sponsored over 400 hours of coaching and support. Most importantly, it has fueled growth for nearly 200 businesses throughout the United States, demonstrating its long-standing commitment to opening doors for those most in need.
The development of the JLH Fund came as a response to a critical juncture in Holiday’s career. During the 2019-20 NBA season, he committed $5 million of his unused contract salary. He focused on underserved businesses and communities stricken with systemic problems. He made the decision to play in the NBA bubble. There, he made it his mission to utilize his platform for social good.
Holiday was a bright star among the finalists for the Social Justice Champion award. He found himself in good company next to notable incumbents such as Bam Adebayo, Harrison Barnes, Chris Boucher, and CJ McCollum. The selection process was led by a panel of distinguished elected, appointed and academic leaders. Other prominent members included NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and social justice warriors such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Marc Morial.
When describing the impact that Holiday had, Tatum emphasized the selfless nature of Holiday’s contributions in helping their team thrive. This selflessness, he said, is evident not only in Holiday’s game, but in the work he and his wife, Lauren, do off the court to create opportunities for marginalized youth.
“Since entering the league, Jrue Holiday has dedicated himself to helping others in their times of greatest need and pursuing a more just society for all,” – Mark Tatum.
Tatum further emphasized the selfless nature of Holiday’s contributions, stating that “the selflessness that defines his game is even more evident in the work he and his wife Lauren do off the floor to create more opportunities for a generation of youth who might have otherwise been overlooked.”
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