Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

17
The Journey of a “Giant” Philanthropist By Helen Yingsheng Li 2013.06.21

description

The journey of Yao Ming, former NBA star, as a philanthropist and his philanthropic beliefs.

Transcript of Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Page 1: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

The Journey of a “Giant” Philanthropist By Helen Yingsheng Li

2013.06.21

Page 2: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Who’s Yao?

Page 3: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Born September 12, 1980

Played for the Shanghai Sharks as a teenager

Played in the China Basketball Association between 1997-2002

Before 2002

Page 4: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Selected by the Houston Rockets as

the 1st overall pick in

the 2002 NBA Draft.

Selected to start for the Western Conference in the

NBA All-Star Game 8 times

Named to the All-

NBA Team 5 times

Reached the NBA

Playoffs 4 times

Data source: wikipedia

2002-2011

Page 5: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Since 2011

President Shanghai Sharks Basketball Club

Venture Capitalist

Wine Investor

Philanthropist Board Member International Special Olympics

Shanghai Member CPPCC*

Honorary Doctorate Hong Kong University

* CPPCC: Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

Page 6: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Milestones on Yao’s Philanthropic Journey

Page 7: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Active participation in NBA Cares events and the Houston Rockets’ community service sparked the light in Yao of giving back to community and society.

Page 8: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

While playing at NBA, Yao continued a variety of charity work when he visited China, such as serving roles like a HIV/AIDS ambassador, participating in Basketball without Borders, hosting charitable tournament etc.. Yao was also able to leverage his resources in both China and the US and brought NBA players and Chinese athletes together for the causes. It is through these activities has Yao realized being a celebrity not only means responsibility, but also means a great leveraging power.

Page 9: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan in May, 2008, besides donating $2 million, Yao announced the establish of Yao Foundation, and set off on the journey to explore charity work in a more organized and systematic manner.

Page 10: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Yao has been greatly inspired by Dikembe Mutombo, who gave Yao lots of advice on doing charity work. Yao still reaches out to Mutombo today to discuss charity.

I've  learned  so  much  from  Dikembe  already.  I  feel  honored  to  sit  here  right  next  to  him…I  didn't  really  understand  until  I  had  to  do  it  (  charity  work  )  with  the  earthquake.  That's  when  you  understand,  it's  not  something  you  just  do,  you  have  to  put  your  heart  into  it.      

“  

”  

Page 11: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Since retiring in 2011, Yao has brought his philanthropic activities to a new level. He is engaged in a range of causes, from wildlife protection to humanitarian support. Most of all, he has invested heavily his resources and energy in the work of his foundation, and has become more and more eloquent in his philanthropic philosophy.

Page 12: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

Yao’s Philanthropic beliefs

Page 13: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

On Philanthropy

Everybody pursues something better in life. Philanthropy makes us a better person. I enjoy doing philanthropy and it’s going to be my lifetime commitment.

Philanthropy is something that comes from the heart. You have to believe in humanity to give.

Why am I interested in philanthropy? It offers me inner piece.

There is no boundary for love and there is a large group of people in the world who need our care.

Page 14: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

On Celebrity

Being a celebrity means more resourceful, and more capable. Whoever has more capability should take more responsibility ( for the society).

The power of a celebrity does not just lie in the amount of money she donates, but the influence as a role model. Doing charity work is good, and it’s even better to encourage and inspire more people to do good together. Celebrities have a great leverage power.

Page 15: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

On Participation

We should create more channels for donors to actively participate in charity work. Donors should be more involved in doing the work, instead of just giving money. It ( active engagement of donors ) will make a real difference.

( To young people ) If you don’t have enough money, give your time. A minute of your time is just as valuable as a minute of anyone else’s time

Page 16: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

On Sports and Education

Basketball is not all about competition. It’s about health and happiness.

Sports plays an important role in education. It teaches leadership, team work and perseverance. Sports can benefit a person beyond the sports field, and it inspires people from inside.

We don’t just build schools. Building schools is a vehicle to promote education. In the schools we have built, we also teach sports, organize tournaments; we even teach arts and we tell kids what the outside world looks like.

Page 17: Yao Ming's Journey as a Giant Philanthropist

About Global Philanthropy Common

www.gpcommon.org

Global Philanthropy Common is a blog-based web site committed to connecting Chinese philanthropy with global philanthropy. At this stage, we bring to English readers the updates on current happenings in Chinese philanthropy.

www.gpcommon.org/ch

We also have a sister site in Chinese, introducing new concepts, tools and best practice from western philanthropy to Chinese readers.