Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. has partnered with Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King to bring the Realize the Dream initiative to Oakland, starting with a day of service at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. The Currys have been named Chief Dream Ambassadors, pledging 100,000 volunteer hours to support Oakland’s youth and neighborhoods.
Images by Mike Rasay/Getty Images for Eat. Learn. Play
The initiative is part of Realize the Dream’s national mission to mobilize 100 million hours of service by 2029, Dr. King’s 100th birthday. Volunteers helped transform MLK Elementary with playgrounds, multi-sport courts, murals, a Little Town Library, gardens, and green spaces, creating safe and inspiring spaces for learning and play.
“Oakland has always held a very special place in our hearts, and we believe deeply in the power of service to create lasting change,” said Stephen and Ayesha Curry. “Partnering with Realize the Dream allows us to not only honor Dr. King’s legacy but also mobilize our community around a shared mission—ensuring every child has the chance to learn, play and thrive.”
Chris Helfrich, Executive Director of Eat. Learn. Play., and Craig Kielburger, Co-Founder of Legacy+, emphasized how the collaboration empowers the next generation. Martin Luther King III added, “Their pledge of 100,000 hours through Eat. Learn. Play. and their partners is a powerful step toward our goal of 100 million hours of service by 2029.”
MLK Elementary marks the 21st schoolyard transformation by Eat. Learn. Play., combining legacy, service, and community investment to create lasting change for Oakland and beyond.