♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> The LeBron James Family Foundation, next on "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Major funding for "The Chavis Chronicles" is provided by the following.

At Wells Fargo, diverse representation and perspectives, equity, and inclusion is critical to meeting the needs of our colleagues, customers, and communities.

We are focused on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both inside our company and in the communities where we live and work.

Together, we want to make a tangible difference in people's lives and in our communities.

Wells Fargo, the bank of doing.

American Petroleum Institute.

Through API's Energy Excellence program, our members are committed to accelerating safety, environmental and sustainability progress throughout the natural gas and oil industry around the world.

Learn more at api.org/apienergyexcellence.

Reynolds American, dedicated to building a better tomorrow for our employees and communities.

Reynolds stands against racism and discrimination in all forms and is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

At AARP, we are committed to ensuring your money, health, and happiness live as long as you do.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> This is a special treat on "The Chavis Chronicles" to have the family of the great one and only LeBron James.

Welcome to "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Thank you.

Honor having you.

>> Gloria James, you are the mother of LeBron James.

>> Yes.

>> Congratulations.

>> Thank you.

>> And, Curtis James, you're the uncle.

And, Shon, you're part of the family, also.

>> Absolutely.

That's my right-hand man.

So they treat me like bro.

They call me little brother.

>> Good.

You live in Cleveland?

>> It's an honor.

Yes, sir.

>> You live in Akron?

>> Yes, sir.

>> You're between Cleveland and Akron and all over the United States.

>> I reside in Akron, and I travel to L.A. to visit the family.

>> That's what I say.

>> I'm everywhere.

>> You're all over.

You're East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast.

Well, look, I'm gonna start with you, Gloria, and then I'm going to get into these two young men here.

How does it feel to be the mother of LeBron James?

>> It's an honor to be his mother.

He is, um...

He's done so much for our community and, like you said, people across the world.

He's a humanitarian.

He's a great father.

He's a great husband.

He's a great advocate for his community and people of color.

So it's a blessing.

>> Brother Curtis, you're also from Akron.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Tell us what you do as part of the LeBron James Family Foundation.

>> I'm basically the assistant administrator, and I'm always at 330, the House 330.

My job is to inspire people through my public talks and, you know, try to inspire people to do the right thing.

And, you know -- And I do my music.

You know, I do the same through my music, as well.

>> Millions of people throughout the world were transfixed viewing the Paris Olympics.

How did that make you feel as the mother of somebody who's just not a star in America, but a star on the world stage?

>> When he carried the flag, chosen to carry the flag.

It was such an honor.

It told me that others view him in the same light and manner as we do, his family.

Seeing that this may be his last Olympic game participation, it just made it even more special.

And to see the fans there from all of the other countries, it just confirmed a lot of the love and support that he has around the world.

For one person, I think, to have that much love and respect and admiration and support says a lot about who that man is, LeBron James.

>> Now, you're a young mother, but you're also a young grandmother.

>> [ Laughing ] I am.

>> So tell us about your grandchildren.

>> More blessings.

Blessings upon blessings upon blessings.

And we're teaching them and have taught them that with your name comes responsibilities.

And we teach them what those responsibilities are so that they're not caught off guard so that they don't know, and so that they're not afraid to be them and act for fear of repercussion, let's say.

So, they're a great group of kids.

And, again, we're very blessed.

>> So we're gonna be watching the James family for decades to come.

>> A long time.

If the Lord is willing.

>> Uncle Curtis.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Tell me what you do.

I know you work with the LeBron James Family Foundation.

You're also in entertainment and music.

And you still, even though you have this famous nephew, you're still in Akron, Ohio.

>> Yes, sir.

>> So tell me what it is that keeps you in the community.

>> Well, you know, family, for one.

And, you know, Akron is the place that always need -- always need help and inspiration.

So I try to be around and inspire people to do better, you know, and to strive for greatness, like us all.

>> So, Shon, let me turn to you and tell us what you do with the LeBron James Family Foundation.

>> Well, I'm not a part of the foundation.

Curtis is my music partner.

I'm an M.C.

and D.J.

for our skating rink back at home, United Skates of America.

And I'm also an artist, as well.

I had -- 2003, I was signed with Sony and released an album called "Similac."

And funny story about that.

Worldwide sportscaster Ronnie Duncan, during an interview, when I first got signed, he called me Cleveland's LeBron James the Rap, and that was the title that he gave me.

And so you fast-forward today, who would have ever thought that I would be sitting right here with Curtis and Gloria and we, you know, have a strong movement like we have.

I mean, it's really just like God's work.

I can't even.

>> Well, you know, Gloria mentioned -- One of the things I found out in life, the creator doesn't bless just one time.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> You can be blessed over a lifelong, provided you share that blessing with others.

>> Right.

>> And as I hear what you do in the music industry, what you also do in the music industry and the foundation... And, Gloria, I'll go back to you.

It seems to me that, across the nation -- particularly Ohio.

Ohio is such an important -- They say it's a swing state.

They say it's a state that's somewhat divided on racial terms, on political terms, on economic terms.

We were all very impressed that LeBron decided to come back to his hometown, build a school, particularly for underserved and underprivileged children.

Tell us, you not only have become a mother of the movement in Akron and, to a certain extent, the nation because you're LeBron James's mother, but tell us what you see, from a mother's perspective, of how important it is to give back to the community.

>> I actually work in our school.

I'm a third grade teacher's aide, so I learned -- >> The school in Akron.

>> Our I Promise School that was built, that LeBron built.

And what I've been able to see in person, how important, the importance of building your community up.

We have, as you said earlier, underprivileged and the lower-testing-score students in our school.

Along with that, we have children of parents who are low-income, some homeless, but, fortunately, we also have a shelter.

During our works through our foundation, Family Foundation, what I've learned is that your community, helping your community is probably one of the most important jobs you can have, especially if you're on a platform that allows you to actually help your community to build it up.

Not just talk about it, but be about it.

Put the work in.

Put your money up.

Put your money where your mouth is.

And it's been -- our city has been so responsive, positively, that it gives us -- it makes us want to do even more.

We don't plan on stopping anytime soon building our community up and helping those that's in need.

We also have a blueprint for others, any other athletes or any other actors or actresses or just anyone, mayors of other cities, persons of yourself in manner.

We have the blueprint, and we're willing to share it so that others in their communities can help build up their cities and build up their people, because we know how important it is and how it's changed so many persons and families lives through our works.

>> You know, as you said in the beginning, LeBron James is not only inspiring on the court, but he's also equally inspiring in the community.

And the school that you have in Akron has gotten accolades and praises from many people.

In fact, I know some athletes have gone built their schools in response to the model, very successful model, that you established in Akron.

I want to turn back to Curtis and Shon.

There are stereotypes about Black men, particularly young Black men.

Do you think that Black men are given an equal chance in society, particularly those brothers from communities that are underserved, underprivileged, as Gloria said, maybe still be in poverty?

How does one get themselves out of that situation?

Particularly from a young Black male perspective.

I know you're not so young now, but I'm speaking -- I know you're in touch with the young brothers.

>> Right.

And I was young, too, one day.

But I feel that it's definitely underprivileged, you know.

And then, like you say, by the color of your skin, they kind of treat you a certain way.

They prejudge you.

And then, most of the stuff was available for other people instead of us, you know?

We get charged more for this, loans and so forth, you know?

And like I said, to me, the only way we can come up out of that as a whole, for one, come together, unite.

But if we put God first and do what He want us to do, we can come up out of all of that.

And that's my... >> That's a great philosophy.

I wanted to ask Shon a parallel question but very related.

We're talking about how to dispel some of these stereotypes about young African-American men.

Also, there's a stereotype about the music industry that music contributes to more of the negatives than the positives.

I don't believe that, but that's not just a rumor.

Those are statements that are in mainstream media.

You know, artists don't get much attention till something negative happens.

You in this industry.

Can you tell us how being involved in entertaining music is uplifting you, but uplifting the people you touch?

>> Oh, absolutely.

Accountability.

That's the most important word.

We all have to take accountability for our actions.

That's first and foremost.

So, me, I don't really make a lot of excuses 'cause God has been very merciful in my life.

I'm born and raised in the worst projects in the city of Cleveland.

Four-time convicted felon.

Been to prison.

And I turned my life around.

But it was when I took the initiative to take accountability for my actions.

And so with music, you have lots of different genres of music, and I don't believe that one kind of music can influence anybody to do anything because the parents is at home with the children, just like my son was at home with me.

So I'm in control of what he listens to, and if he does listen to anything, it's up to me to break down to him and say, "Okay.

Well, son, look, this is just music.

It's entertainment.

This is not really something to take for face value."

So when it comes to just placing negative stereotypes on the music, I'm not with that, either, because at the end of the day, it's up to the parents at home to teach their children.

So, based off the statement, if they just putting all this on music, it's almost like, "Okay, well, you're giving entertainers that much power over your children?

What about you as a parent?"

>> Well-stated.

So, Gloria, how did the other family members embrace the family's success?

Because, you know, sometimes families have disputes, particularly in success.

Everybody arguing over the money.

Tell us how you deal with holding your family together with this tremendous spotlight that's on you, LeBron, and the rest of the family.

>> We've been really blessed not really having to deal with too many -- you know, any jealousy, anybody expecting something that they're not -- that they haven't earned.

So we haven't had a big issue with that.

I have a -- We -- I'm sorry.

Curtis and I have a older brother, Terry James.

And it's really kind of always been just us three along with LeBron.

And we've kind of kept our family on that as much as possible on the outskirts.

You know, everybody had they own backgrounds.

We've always been really protective of LeBron, being in the limelight like he is.

And our family has been very respectful of that.

Of course, you know, they seem when times come about, when necessary, but no one has really -- really felt like they -- like they want a place in the center circle that we have.

So things have worked out really well.

>> So, Shon -- I'm gonna get back to you, Curtis, but, Shon, in relationship to what Gloria just said, you've become a part of the family.

>> Yes.

>> Through your work.

You used the word "accountability."

Do you see other young men in Cleveland, as well as in Akron or anywhere else in Ohio, who you think will be inspired by the work you do?

>> Oh, yeah, absolutely.

Most definitely.

Especially a lot of the people from my community where I'm from, because they literally watching me right now.

And that's one of the biggest inspirations, because I know where I come from and they know I'm a four-time convicted felon.

They done watch me grow up in the hood and all that.

So to see me, you know, moving and grooving how I am with them is, you know, it's the biggest inspiration in the world, and it shows them anything is possible.

You could do anything you put your mind to because I'm no more special than anybody.

>> Well, given your background, I think you not only have what's called street credibility, it seems to me you have credibility of trying to help brothers and sisters who may look up to you because of your success in entertainment, because of your relationship with Curtis.

I think you'll probably get more noticed in the hood than some other brothers.

>> Yeah.

Yeah, no.

I mean, you know, I try not to... We don't flaunt it.

We just really -- we just be ourselves every day.

Like, right now, it's almost like this is a dream.

Like, this is not even happening.

Like, it's that real.

But, yeah, you know, we just walk in our purpose and, you know, we humble.

>> Right.

Well, dreams come true if you work your dream, if you have a passion about your dream, and a love for the community.

Curtis, what do you project, in terms of the future?

How do you see things evolving?

>> Evolving in for me or just in general?

>> For you first and then in general for the work that you do.

>> Well, like I said, I've been doing my music forever.

I've been doing music since 9 years old.

And all I did was perfect my craft the whole time, you know, between then and now and experiences I done had in my life.

>> And the music you're producing, or are you actually talent, where you're performing?

>> Yes.

I'm the CEO, owner, artist, the main artist, all that, you know.

So I've been pushing for years and years and decades.

So, like I said, I feel like I'm on the brink of where I want to be.

And I believe in maybe, God's will, in a year, maybe like next summer, I'd have been hit where I want to be and be able to really climb like I want to.

And far as just the community or just people, in general, if they just listen to what I speak and actually listen and engage and think about it and let it get to their hearts and really understand what the truth is and realize if they just apply it, it'll help them.

>> I'm gonna ask each of you this final question.

I'll start with you, Shon.

All of what you've been through, and thank you for sharing that you've overcome some really significant hardships... >> Yes, sir.

>> ...be productive today.

What gives you your greatest hope for the future?

>> Actually, just being right here in this seat right here, sitting in front of you, being here with them.

I wish my mother and my grandmother were still alive to see this.

Because they was huge fans of LeBron and Gloria.

So if they was able to see this, like, it would be so amazing.

But my biggest hope is our movement, what we have right now, and I know a lot of people is watching us.

And like I say, us coming from where we come from, we humble, we around people, we in the community.

And my motivation is just for everything of what I'm doing, you know, in the community.

And I know people is watching, and they inspired because they see how I'm out here moving.

So that's my big hope.

Yes, sir.

>> Thank you, Shon.

Curtis.

>> Yes, sir.

>> What gives you your greatest hope today?

>> The Almighty.

You know, the Almighty creator.

And he got me this far.

He got me on the set with you.

I'm honored to be here.

And, like I said, it's probably been the biggest set I've been on so far, so... And like I said, I just want to keep doing the right thing and hopefully God keep blessing me, you know?

>> Well, we're honored to be in your presence.

>> Appreciate it.

>> Gloria.

With all of what you've been through as a mother, a grandmother, an educator, what gives you your greatest hope today?

>> I think about this a lot.

The way that, unfortunately, the world is divided right now, I'm hoping for a better... Less division.

I'm hoping for more human-like and compassion for our people and for our children.

I want to see my granddaughter grow up where she doesn't have to worry about attacks by other -- you know, other races or be afraid to be her or fear of going to school.

I'm hoping that persons on platforms like yourself, like LeBron, like Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, can continue -- will continue to educate and encourage our people to want better, to do better, to be better, to come together for a better world and a lot more peace.

So, yeah, I'd love for my grandkids to be able to grow up in just a nicer place, a better place, unfortunately, than what it is today.

>> Thank all three of you for joining "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Thank you for having us.

>> Thank you for having us.

It's a pleasure and an honor.

>> For more information about "The Chavis Chronicles" and our guests, visit our website at thechavischronicles.com.

Also, follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Major funding for "The Chavis Chronicles" is provided by the following.

At Wells Fargo, diverse representation and perspectives, equity, and inclusion is critical to meeting the needs of our colleagues, customers, and communities.

We are focused on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both inside our company and in the communities where we live and work.

Together, we want to make a tangible difference in people's lives and in our communities.

Wells Fargo, the bank of doing.

American Petroleum Institute.

Through API's Energy Excellence program, our members are committed to accelerating safety, environmental and sustainability progress throughout the natural gas and oil industry around the world.

Learn more at api.org/apienergyexcellence.

Reynolds American, dedicated to building a better tomorrow for our employees and communities.

Reynolds stands against racism and discrimination in all forms and is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

At AARP, we are committed to ensuring your money, health, and happiness live as long as you do.

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