Watch Udonis Haslem surprise Gray Cesena and DaJla Jones with the $15,000 BDJ40 Scholarships.
MIAMI, FLORIDA (July 31, 2024) – Three-time NBA champion and Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem awarded his $15,000 BDJ40 Scholarship to two outstanding Miami high school graduates, Gray Cesena and DaJla Jones. Both students were selected from hundreds of applicants for their remarkable achievements and mental health resilience.
Udonis created the BDJ40 Scholarship on Bold.org in February of 2024 to honor the legacy of his late parents, Barbara, Debra, and Johnnie, and to provide hope and opportunities to high school seniors from Miami-Dade and Broward County who have overcome mental health challenges. He personally shared the exciting news with Gray and DaJla by surprising them on a Zoom call. On the call, Udonis thanked them for their perseverance and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.
Udonis Haslem says: Job, well done. You know, for me, obviously, growing up in the city of Miami, I understand what my why is. I understand what my mission is. I've been all the way around the world, and I'm back here where I started, and I have opportunity, I have a platform. I can bridge the gap with so many things. So, you know, it's my priority, especially since I'm retired now, is to be more focused on what I can do with the community. Mental health is huge. I grew up focusing on just getting through things and not really understanding how they can affect you in the long run. And then, you know, some things hit me when I was a little bit older and finally reached a point where I had to reach out for help. So I do understand that everyone needs help at some point. And I have the platform, I have the opportunity, I have the resources. You guys got to do the work, but I got an opportunity to help you guys, so I'm thankful!
Udonis joins a long list of public figures supporting education on Bold.org. Previous Bold.org scholarship sponsors include professional tennis player Sloane Stephens, NFL players JuJu Smith-Schuster and Brandon Zylstra, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, Grammy-winning band Imagine Dragons, actor and activist Terry Crews, and MLB pitcher Marcus Stroman and more.
About the Udonis Haslem Foundation
The Udonis Haslem Foundation is committed to uplifting children and families in underserved communities by providing access to opportunities, care, and resources. Focused on mental health, community accessibility, and supporting youth, the foundation strives to create a positive impact across its pillars, including initiatives related to criminal justice reform, low-income housing, financial literacy, and supporting minority-owned small businesses. To learn more about the Udonis Haslem Foundation's impactful work, please visit udcares.org.
About Bold.org
Founded in 2019 with the mission of Fighting Student Debt, Bold.org has quickly grown to become the largest student scholarship/finance platform in the US, working with thousands of donors like Terry Crews, Cat Zingano, Imagine Dragons, and more to award millions in annual scholarships to thousands of deserving students.
On Bold.org, anyone and any company can create a customized scholarship, fellowship, or grant in minutes, with the confidence that 100% of their tax-deductible donation will go directly to supporting the next generation of students as they boldly change the world. For more information about Bold.org, find scholarships or learn how to create a scholarship.