Jayson Tatum Discusses Growing Up in a “Single-Parent House”
The NBA player and the bank announced earlier this month their $1 million pledge to “promote financial literacy and create family-sustaining wealth” through the SoFi Generational Wealth Fund.
As he launches his partnership with SoFi, the NBA’s official new banking partner, the 25-year-old star of the Boston Celtics tells PEOPLE that he is grateful for the chance to help other families in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was born, regardless of whether they are single parents.
“My mom raised me in a single-parent home, so I’m fortunate to be able to help others from St. Louis,” Tatum says, adding that his “ideas and values” on financial education “are aligned” with SoFi’s.
According to a press release, Tatum and the bank announced earlier this month the creation of the SoFi Generational Wealth Fund, a $1 million commitment from SoFi intended to “promote financial literacy and create family-sustaining wealth.”
Through the Jayson Tatum Foundation, the Fund will support the NBA player’s S.M.A.R.T Project, which helps single parents manage parenthood, education, and financial wellness. More specifically, the programme will assist in increasing participating families’ chances to become homeowners.
Regarding the SoFi Generational Wealth Fund, Tatum tells PEOPLE, “We’re distributing $1 million towards the first key component of creating generational wealth—becoming a homeowner.” That could have been a game-changer for my mother and me.
He goes on, “I’m glad to provide that with SoFi through my Foundation.”
The NBA, the NBA G League, the NBA 2K League, and USA Basketball have named SoFi as their official banking partner. The announcement of the multi-year partnership was made earlier this month by the National Basketball Association and SoFi together.
During NBA All-Star Weekend, Tatum stated that he and his mother “grew up living cheque to cheque” and “didn’t understand the idea of saving money” during a live taping of Kenny Beecham’s podcast at Indianapolis’ Tinker House.
Tatum told Beecham that now that he’s in a position where he “can take care of” himself financially, he wants to “make an impact” and “help people that came from the same environment as me.”
