Well played, Russell Westbrook!
During a press conference held on April 13, 2020, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that Russell Westbrook (point guard for the Houston Rockets) was collaborating with local nonprofit Compudopt in making an immediate donation of 650 computers to distribute to underprivileged kids.
Compudopt was founded in 2007 by Jonathan Osha; he and Osha Liang partner Carlyn Burton currently serve on the nonprofit’s board of directors.
Cars line up at the drive-through at Compudopt
In immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Compudopt mobilized staff to man a computer distribution drive-through at their Houston facility. With state schools announcing closure and suspending in-person classes, providing technology access to youth from underserved communities was crucial in allowing continued learning and uninterrupted education in the months to follow.
See more press coverage about this event at the links here: People, ESPN, Bleacher Report, USA Today.
Donated laptops, ready for distribution
In his own words Russell Westbrook explained: “I’m extremely excited to be able to collaborate with Comp-U-Dopt and find ways to be able to impact the youth immediately. It’s something that I’m very, very passionate about through my foundation, and I’m just trying to find a way — especially now — to be able to bridge the gap, and give kids access to another way of learning, through computers. This allows them to be able to continue their education, especially from home. I’m happy to be a part of it.” [Courtesy of Rockets Wire.USA Today]
Comp-U-Dopt staff member overseeing distribution
