Comedian and documentarian W. Kamau Bell recently made a generous move by donating his $1 million prize from Celebrity Jeopardy! to public education. His donation will fund over 200 classroom projects through DonorsChoose. These funds will benefit schools in Oakland, California, and Mobile, Alabama.
Bell made the announcement at Castlemont High School in East Oakland. He revealed that all DonorsChoose projects in Oakland, totaling about $150,000, would be fully funded. Additionally, $53,000 was allocated for 22 schools in Mobile, Alabama, his father’s hometown. Bell shared, “This town really changed me when I moved here in 1997, so I’ve got to pay it forward and backward.” This sentiment reflects his deep connection to both communities.
The donation addresses the ongoing challenges in public education. Bell pointed out that teachers often spend their own money on classroom supplies. He said, “Most teachers spend money from their own paycheck to support their students. So this is a way to say we should stop doing that until our country understands that we need to fund public education better.”
Outside of philanthropy, Bell is involved in Oakland’s arts and filmmaking scene. He supports an initiative called Make It Bay, which works to make Oakland a more livable city for artists and a hub for TV and film production.
Bell’s donation not only provides immediate support for education but also emphasizes the importance of community involvement and giving back.
Source: The Oaklandside
