Unfiltered and unapologetic, Charles Barkley dishes out hot takes with no off switch. He did the same while addressing the rat-infested issue in San Francisco during the 2025 All-Star event. Equally ruthless was his take on Galveston beaches. But apart from his harsh remarks on different cities, he also does much to elevate his hometown and the surrounding areas. He has never hesitated to extend his help where it’s needed. And he has done it again.
When he visited his hometown to renovate his mother, Charcey Glenn’s, house, he noticed how much the neighborhood had deteriorated. He wasn’t unfamiliar with the situation, but seeing the deteriorated houses surrounding the neighborhood broke his heart. He was well aware that the situation was the same in several locations in Birmingham. And he had to step up and do something to solve this issue of blight.
A blighted property is a building or area that is abandoned, poorly maintained, or damaged and no longer useful or helpful to the community. This leads to lower property values and unsafe living conditions. So, Chuck has decided to contribute $1 million each for both cities.
Charles Barkley, the former Auburn star, Basketball Hall of Famer, television commentator, and one of Alabama’s most prolific philanthropists, says he will commit $2 million to address blight in Birmingham and Leeds —$1 million for each city.
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— AL.com (@aldotcom) April 2, 2025
“I want to buy run-down homes and try to reinvigorate these areas. That’s my next venture,” Chuck said. For his hometown, he already has plans to team up with the same contractors who renovated his mother’s house. And he is looking for the right contractors and help for the same in Birmingham. “I want to do some due diligence on who I can trust. That’s my game plan,” he noted.
Apr 6, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charles Barkley reacts in the second half in the semifinals of the 2019 men’s Final Four between the Virginia Cavaliers and Auburn Tigers at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Chuck’s focus has always been on contributing to his home state. But that doesn’t mean he neglects other cities. “San Francisco is not a beautiful city. Rats. Cats. Y’all are not gonna make me like San Francisco,” he shared on the TNT show. And not just once; he did it twice. But could there be an underlying reason behind his harsh criticism? Perhaps he is only trying to bring attention to the concerning issue.
Not to forget, this isn’t the first time that Chuck has taken the responsibility to work for his former college and hometown.
Charles Barkley always goes the extra mile for his home state and alma mater
Not just the cities—he is focused on bringing positive changes in other sectors as well. Amidst the growing popularity of women’s basketball, he ensured that the women’s basketball program at his alma mater wasn’t left behind.
He donated $1 million to women’s athletics at his alma mater and another $1 million to Auburn’s women’s basketball program. He has also made multiple donations, each worth $1 million, to colleges in Alabama and Georgia, such as Alabama A&M, Clark Atlanta University, Tuskegee University, and Morehouse College.
During the tough times of COVID-19, it was difficult for students as well. At that time, Chuck stepped up to help students with laptops, Wi-Fi connections, and much more. He also contributed more than $3 million for the scholarship funds of graduates from his hometown. His aim is to motivate young minds to continue their higher education.
In honor of his former Auburn teammate, Gary Godfrey, who was diagnosed with ALS in January 2019, he contributed $1 million to ALS research in Alabama and another to the Wounded Warrior Project. He might have an odd way of addressing serious issues, but he is dedicated to bringing positive change.
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