Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard Jrue Holiday has decided to make a major commitment to supporting the lives of others during the 2020-2021 NBA season. In a lengthy Instagram post, Holiday announced that he has agreed to donate his entire 2020-2021 NBA salary to small Black-owned businesses and salaries.
"With the COVID-19 Pandemic and heightened racial injustices in 2020, many of us have been looking for answers. Lauren and I found ourselves searching for ways to help our community at a time when they needed it most," the Bucks point guard wrote.
"Pledging the remainder of our 2020 NBA salary to small black-owned businesses, nonprofits and initiatives is how we felt we could make a lasting impact."
During the pandemic, Black-owned businesses have been hit as hard as any other group. Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz found that 40% of Black-owned businesses closed during the pandemic. Holiday's $26.1 million donation will go a long way in supporting the Black-owned brands that have made it through and will likely face setbacks in 2021.
"According to Google, in 2020, worldwide searches for 'support small business' doubled compared to the previous year," Holiday wrote.
"It’s encouraging to know that at a time when we could all use a helping hand, we are still searching for ways to help one another. Know that you are not alone in your search for answers."
Holiday's announcement comes as he prepares to make his regular-season debut as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. He was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason. The Bucks will open their season against the Boston Celtics on December 23 at 7:30 p.m.