Former NBA, college star Kareem Abdul Jabaar to speak at MJCHF fundraiser on March 30

EDWARDSVILLE – The Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities made an announcement this afternoon of some big news – legendary UCLA and Los Angeles Lakers’ player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be featured guest at an upcoming fundraiser on Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“Thanks to Mannie Jackson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will join us as our special guest at this highly anticipated event,” MJCH Executive Director Dr. Ed Hightower said. “The format will be similar to the event we held in 2016 featuring Colin Powell, with guests receiving cocktails, dinner, and then a Q&A between Abdul-Jabbar, moderated by St. Louis' CBS Channel 4 anchor Steve Savard. 

“Kareem is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He is also a best-selling author, executive producer and a nationally respected humanitarian. We invite you to learn more about Kareem’s passion for making this country a better, unified place to live, work and succeed. We hope that you will support the MJCHF by attending this fundraiser."

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is well known as The NBAs all-time leading scorer and a six-time NBA champion and a six-time MVP. He is also the author of twelve New York Times best-sellers and a columnist for various news outlets throughout the world such as Time Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and The Washington Post.  Abdul-Jabbar also co-wrote and executive produced the critically acclaimed award-winning documentary entitled, “On the Shoulders of Giants”. In 2016, HBO released Kareem: Minority of One, which quickly became their most watched sport film of all time. 

Dedicating his life to social justice, in 2012 he was appointed as the only U.S. Cultural Ambassador by then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, our nation’s highest civilian honor.

“We are honored to have Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest basketball players and humanitarian of all times, as our special guest”, said Dr. Hightower. “His life work and experiences serves as a cultural voice for what the Mannie Jackson Center stands for: respect, dignity, understanding and forgiveness.”

“I’ve known Kareem for a long time and witnessed his commitment and passion for country unification and equality for all. He has created a footprint to make this world a better place,” said MJCH founder and president, Mannie Jackson. “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented only to those who have made admirable contributions to the interests of the United States, and Kareem’s influence on our society has been impactful in many, many ways. We are fortunate to have him at our upcoming event.”

Tickets are limited and are $200 each. Purchase tickets here.