• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

NBA stars Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul create fund for social change

5:13
3 NBA stars launch major social justice effort
GMA
ByGMA Team
July 22, 2020, 1:48 PM

As the NBA kicks off scrimmages Wednesday in the Orlando “bubble,” several basketball superstars are speaking out to advocate for social justice.

Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Lebron James have each worked to generate change for communities across the country, but Anthony, Paul and Wade are now coming together to invest in and support organizations focused on empowering communities of color and advocating for the human rights of all Black lives.

NBA stars Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul create fund for social change.
GMA

“There's a lot of things that each one of us have done as individuals, but we see this as an opportunity not only for us to come together and make a bigger impact, [but] just continue to try to make real sustainable change,” Paul told “GMA.”

Related Articles

MORE: NBA star Jrue Holiday donates remaining 2020 salary to social justice causes

In an exclusive interview with “Good Morning America,” Anthony, Paul and Wade shared what inspired them to start the Social Change Fund.

“Whether it be health and education, talking about the different types of foods that go into the inner cities … all this goes back to systemic racism," Paul said.

"There's people out there that are a lot smarter than us in some of these situations, so we're going to try to do the work and educate ourselves, but also put our money where our mouth is and keep going,” Paul, who plays as a point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, added.

Editor’s Picks

Halsey establishes Black Creators Funding Initiative for 'art, voice and perspective'

  • Jun 12, 2020

2020 ESPY Awards: Hosts call for a world where ‘Black lives are valued'

  • Jun 22, 2020

Jennifer Hudson to perform Kobe Bryant tribute at NBA All-Star Game

  • Feb 13, 2020

Through the fund, Anthony, Paul and Wade will focus on many critical issues, such as ending police brutality, criminal justice reform and inclusion, as well as empowering communities of color by expanding access to voting, increasing Black representation in government and building economic equity for Black people through education and employment.

“If you don't have a good roof over your head, if you're not being educated from home, along with [being] educated in the school, [Black people are] going to always be starting from behind and playing catch up. These are certain aspects that we want to attend ASAP,” said Anthony.

“The Social Impact Fund is necessary and timely,” said Topeka K. Sam, the founder and executive director of The Ladies of Hope Ministries and a leading voice in criminal justice reform who will serve as an adviser to the fund. “We have joined this incredible initiative to ensure true equity by guiding resources to community-based organizations that are led by directly impacted people of color.”

Related Articles

MORE: Their painful bond: Black mothers speak out together on their unimaginable loss

The NBA players have been advocating for sports stars to publicly speak out for justice since the 2016 ESPYs. Four years ago, Anthony, Paul, Wade and James delivered a moving speech, calling on their fellow athletes to promote social change after the deaths of unarmed Black men at the hands of police.

“I think right now, with everything that has happened since George Floyd, the last two months, we have even more responsibility,” said Wade, who retired from the NBA in 2019. “[We will not] get worn down at all, we continue to push this to continue to add pressure to the change we want to see.”

Go to website https://www.thesocialchangefund.org to learn more.

Related Topics

  • NBA

Editor’s Picks

Halsey establishes Black Creators Funding Initiative for 'art, voice and perspective'

  • Jun 12, 2020

2020 ESPY Awards: Hosts call for a world where ‘Black lives are valued'

  • Jun 22, 2020

Jennifer Hudson to perform Kobe Bryant tribute at NBA All-Star Game

  • Feb 13, 2020

Up Next in Culture—

Lauren Alaina welcomes baby girl and releases emotional new song

June 14, 2025

Prince William, Kate Middleton and kids step out at Trooping the Colour

June 14, 2025

John Stamos reveals he broke news of Brian Wilson's death to Mike Love

June 13, 2025

Hailee Steinfeld reflects on 'unforgettable' wedding to Josh Allen

June 13, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News