Ciara, Russell Wilson funding new Seattle charter school with $1.75 million donation

Ciara and Russell Wilson are making the donation through their ‘Why Not You’ Foundation

Power couple Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara are putting their money where their mouth is and donating approximately $1.75 million to back a charter school in the Seattle area.

According to the News Tribune, Wednesday, the Seahawks quarterback and his wife Ciara announced that through their Why Not You Foundation they would be donating money to rebrand an existing charter program known as Cascade Midway Academy, just south of Seattle.

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The Cascade high school program was originally set to debut this year before the pandemic forced founders Garth Reeves and Scott Canfield to delay opening. Now the Seahawks quarterback and the Grammy-winning performer have stepped in to partner with the Seattle-based charter-school leaders to instead start the Why Not You Academy.

Calling it “a long-time dream,” Wilson noted this is just the first of many schools he plans to start. The academy will open in the fall of 2021 to a freshman class of 100 and will operate as a tuition-free public high school.

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“By providing students with access to innovative and equitable education opportunities they deserve, Why Not You Academy will equip today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders,” explained the couple in Wednesday’s announcement.

“We’ve always held the belief that life’s successes start with a good education, but recognize that access isn’t always created equally for all. The Why Not You Foundation was created with the concept of empowering youth to lead with a why not you attitude and that’s why it was important for our foundation to partner with Scott, Garth, and Cascade Public Schools to help open doors for kids from less fortunate backgrounds.”

“I’m really confident…about the team that we have here and how we’re building things out,” Ciara shared in an interview with The Associated Press. “We’re passionate about everything. We’re all in on this.”

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