NBA Legend Charles Barkley Makes Generous Donation to New Orleans School

NBA legend Charles Barkley makes generous donation to New Orleans school after students make mathematical breakthrough

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has made a significant donation to St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans after two of its students made a groundbreaking mathematical discovery. Barkley’s $100,000 gift is the first of 10 promised donations to the all-girls Catholic high school in the eastern part of the city.

The donation comes after seniors Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson made headlines for proving the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry without circular logic, a feat that mathematicians have been attempting for centuries. Their discovery was featured on the news program “60 Minutes” and they presented their findings at the American Mathematical Society’s Annual Southeastern Conference in 2023.

“We are forever grateful for Mr. Barkley’s gift and his support of our students,” said Pamela Rogers, the school’s president. “His generosity supports the mission of St. Mary’s Academy and reinforces our commitment to educating young people.”

Barkley, who graduated from St. Mary’s, was moved by the students’ achievement and their dedication to academic excellence. A representative from the Charles Barkley Foundation stated that Barkley is focused on transforming future generations through education and opportunities.

The school plans to use Barkley’s donations to enhance the educational experience for students and provide them with more opportunities to grow and develop both in the classroom and in the New Orleans community. Johnson is currently studying environmental engineering at LSU, while Jackson is pursuing a degree in pharmacy at Xavier University of Louisiana.