Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Donates Millions to Akron Urban League

By Kristin Anzuini, Spectrum News

AKRON, Ohio — Novelist and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has pledged to give away most of her fortune, which equates to billions of dollars.

The Akron Urban League is one of the 25 affiliates throughout America to receive a substantial donation from Scott recently. 

The Akron Urban League helps people of all ages tear down any and all barriers to success. Some of the things the organization focuses on include workforce development, minority-owned business, health equity, daycare, employment and housing. 

Teresa LeGrair, the president and CEO of the Akron Urban League, said the organization received a surprise donation of $2.4 million from Scott.

LeGrair said she is unsure how or why Scott chose to give such a generous donation. 

“I don’t think any of the organizations that are a part of this, don’t really know how the selection process happens,” LeGrair said. “But I am grateful that it happened, and we were one of the 25 chosen.” 

LeGrair said Scott’s gift is the largest in the organization's 97-year history. 

The Akron Urban League is carefully deciding how it will spend the money and has not finalized plans yet. But LeGrair has some ideas. 

 

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