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Kentucky State University and HBCUs around the country benefited from exposure and fundraising the NBA All-Star weekend provided by featuring HBCUs, but Kentucky State got an extra boost. 

Kentucky rapper Jack Harlow made a commitment to donate his winnings from a 2-on-2 celebrity basketball game to Kentucky State University and Simmons University in Louisville. Harlow and Quavo defeated 2Chainz and Lil Baby 21-7 in the matchup. 

Harlow tweeted after the game that he would donate the proceeds to Kentucky State and Simmons. 

Kentucky State University President M. Christopher Brown II responded to the tweet with a tweet of his own, thanking Harlow and informing him that his song, “What’s Poppin,’” is on repeat in his car. 

“I believe Jack Harlow's gift was very impactful to Kentucky State University because it gives us an opportunity to be and feel seen, not only by our surrounding cities and local community but by the nation,” Kentucky State University Student Government Association President Kirk Miller said. “When hearing about it, I know Thorobreds felt a sense of pride, as I did that my HBCU was being supported by such a generous donation from our star rapper.”

Savion Briggs, a student at Kentucky State, said being a Louisville native makes this gift special. 

“As a Louisville native, seeing an artist from my city giving back to HBCUs means a lot to me,” Briggs said. “I hope that other Louisville native artists like Jack join in to become more active and supportive of Kentucky State University.”

Kentucky State University student Micayla Garcia said hopefully others will follow in Harlow’s footsteps. 

“Hopefully other celebs follow suit and make donations to HBCUs with smaller names,” Garcia said. “That being said, we must also encourage our alumni to make donations, as well. We need to remember to support ourselves because others aren't required to do so.”

Miller said he was proud to see the focus on HBCUs during the NBA All-Star weekend. 

“NBA All-Star weekend bringing awareness to HBCUs was very much appreciated, because HBCUs have been slowly but surely gaining more and more popularity, especially with VP (Kamala) Harris in the national office,” Miller said. “But this brings it to a whole new level, a global level.”

Briggs was happy to see the NBA’s involvement with HBCUs. 

“There are so many Black youths that pay attention to these kinds of events that may have never heard of HBCUs before now,” Briggs said. “This is a step in the right direction toward educational equity at the university level. HBCUs are a huge part of Black culture. The NBA has made an enormous impact on our culture than they may realize.”

Mahogany Shelton, a senior at Kentucky State, said the awareness of HBCUs brought on by the NBA All-Star weekend was well needed. 

"It helped to show the young people who idolize (NBA players and the celebrities who participated) that an education at an HBCU is the best you can possibly get,” Shelton said. “In other words, it takes something big to create something bigger and the NBA All-Star weekend has created the momentum needed for Kentucky State University and HBCUs all around.”