
NEW HANOVER COUNTY — “It’s good to be home,” Michael Jordan said Tuesday at the ribbon cutting of one of two Wilmington Novant Health clinics he funded.
READ MORE: Novant Health selects location of two Michael Jordan clinics in Wilmington
Jordan donated $10 million to erect two facilities in town; 1410 S. 15th St. opened last month, for which he was in town to officially open. Another is under construction on Princess Place Drive.
The basketball player, who grew up in Wilmington and attended Laney High School, had family present Tuesday as well, including his brother and mother — the latter of whom he called the backbone of the family.
Jordan became emotional during his speech.
“It’s important to talk from your heart and that’s what matters,” he said through tears. “Everything you see, anything I do, it comes from family and support and that’s what this clinic is about, to support families who need it.”
The Michael Jordan clinics offer comprehensive primary care and mental health services for historically marginalized populations. They aim to bridge the gap in poverty and health disparities by providing access without barriers, and increase trust among health professionals and the patients they serve, specifically by diversifying staff.
Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinics already opened in Charlotte. The former NBA player and Charlotte Hornets owner donated $7 million to upstart the facilities in the Queen City.
Jordan’s mother, Deloris, also spoke to a crowd of community members and Novant officials.
“We always strive to give back to the community,” she said, highlighting her son’s UNC and Chicago Bulls basketball career, which has allowed the family to purchase equipment for Laney High School and start scholarships for students to attend college. “The biggest joy is giving.”
Jordan said he hadn’t returned to Wilmington since Hurricane Florence hit in 2018 wherein he contributed $2 million to relief and recovery efforts.
The Jordan family were in talks with the county earlier in the year to potentially launch a standalone museum in his honor. The Michael Jordan Museum was to be built in conjunction with Project Grace, but last month the county announced it would not move forward.
Deloris addressed county manager Chris Coudriet at the event as well: “Thank you so much for working with me, and as we establish the Michael Jordan discovery gallery in the new museum … we will be there to support you.”
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