The Robinson family wanted to develop a lasting project that would empower inner-city children to overcome economic and emotional obstacles in order to lead productive lives. In 1997, they committed $5 million to create a new independent school, The Carver Academy, serving primarily low-income African-American and Hispanic families on San Antonio’s culturally diverse East Side. In May of 1999, David Robinson took a leadership role and became chairman of The Academy. Construction began in December of 2000 as Robinson led fundraising efforts.
Robinson has donated almost $10 million to the Carver Academy on San Antonio's East side.
(D. Clarke Evans/NBAE/Getty Images)The Robinson family then donated another $2 million to continue construction and fund student scholarships in September of 2001. On May 24, 2002 David announced his retirement from the NBA and also announced another $2 million donation from his family to support the school’s permanent endowment. Considered to be the largest contribution ever made by a professional athlete at $9 million, the school’s capital campaign then totaled more than $17.8 million. Included is the $12.8 million committed by individuals, corporations and foundations toward The Academy’s $19 million construction project. Also, to support the school in perpetuity, $5 million has been pledged to help build a $35 million endowment.
Named for George Washington Carver, the school opened on September 17, 2001, with 60 pre-kindergarten through second grade children. The Carver Academy added a third grade class this year. Once fully operational, the school will accommodate up to 290 students through eighth grade. The Carver Academy’s challenging academic program features small classes, leadership opportunities and a nurturing family-like atmosphere based upon the foundation of Judeo-Christian scripture.
David continues to do whatever he can to bring attention to and raise money for The Carver Academy and its students, 95 percent of which are on scholarship. This season David joined the San Antonio Symphony in narrating the composition, “Human Songs and Stories for Orchestra, Narrator and the People”, written by Daniel Bernard Roumain. The proceeds from the first two performances benefited The Carver Academy. David also hosted Arnold Schwarzenegger to a tour of The Academy and recognized him for his work with Inner-City Games National. David most recently teamed with a local grocery store chain, H-E-B, to provide the ability for their customers to donate money to The Carver Academy at their registers in all of their fifty San Antonio area locations.
It seems as though David’s hard work is starting to pay off as results from the Stanford Achievement Test show the students from The Carver Academy scored above the national mean for 2001-2002. The average national score was 50 compared to the Carver’s total of 70. David hopes to continue the success of The Carver Academy after his basketball career is over by focusing even more time and effort on the school and its students.
David’s other activities this season:
David’s past activities:
- Teams with the Spurs Foundation to provide 50 Spurs season tickets for Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood of Achievers, a program in 13th successful year that recognizes children for their accomplishments in the classroom and community such as showing initiative, displaying leadership, showing good sportsmanship, making good grades, and demonstrating integrity.
- Gave his testimony at annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Night after Spurs game.
- Visits with Make-A-Wish children.
- Participated in NBA/Spurs Read to Achieve program by reading to local elementary school students at annual Dallas Cowboys literacy event.
- Visits with sick children at local children’s hospitals.
- Member of the NBA All-Star Reading Team.
- Bowled and greeted tournament participants at the Tim Duncan Bowling for Dollar$ Charity Bowl-A-Thon, which raises funds for cancer related charities.
- Supports several local and national charitable organizations by attending golf tournaments and fundraising events.
- Records countless public service announcements that address topics ranging from sportsmanship to disability awareness, to reading and improving TAKS scores, to being honest and fair, to avoiding drugs and gangs.
- Established charitable foundation in his name which supports a number of local activities, including providing food to organizations feeding the hungry and diapers and baby food for needy infants and toddlers through area agencies.
- Sponsored the Mister’s Robinson’s Road Trip essay contest which allowed youth essay contest winners to attend a Spurs road game, meet David and fly back home on the Spurs charter.
- Visited with relief workers at Ground Zero of the New York City World Trade Center attack.
- Challenged fifth grade class at Gates Elementary School to graduate high school by offering $2000 in college scholarships to every child (class now college seniors).
- Partnered with the Spurs Foundation and Scholastic Books to donate one book to every first grader in Bexar County.
- Gave his testimony at annual Fellowship Night after Spurs games.
