Jeff Bezos donating $100M to the Obama Foundation
The donation was made in honor of Congressman John Lewis, a civil rights advocate.
November 22, 2021 4:45pm
Updated: November 22, 2021 6:22pm
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and the world’s second-richest man, is donating $100 million to The Obama Foundation in honor of Congressman John Lewis.
Lewis, who passed away last year, was a hero of the U.S. civil rights movement of the 60s and served in Congress for more than three decades.
As part of the donation, Bezos asked that the plaza outside the Obama Presidential Center be named John Lewis Plaza, announced the foundation.
"Freedom fighters deserve a special place in the pantheon of heroes, and I can't think of a more fitting person to honor with this gift than John Lewis," Bezos said in a statement.
Bezos’ $100 million donation is the largest individual contribution ever received by Obama’s foundation.
The donation was arranged by Jay Carney, Obama’s former press secretary and Amazon’s current public policy and public relations chief.
The Obama Foundation was vague about what Bezos’ money will be used for, but said the cash will be used for the next generation of emerging leaders… the necessary tools, resources, and training needed to be the change they want to see in the world, just as Congressman Lewis did.”
“I’m thrilled to support President and Mrs. Obama and their Foundation in its mission to train and inspire tomorrow’s leaders,” said Bezos.
