NBA MVP Russell Westbrook Opens Up His 30th Russell’s Reading Room At Thelma Parks Elementary School In Oklahoma City

Photo Credit: Zach Beeker

Westbrook Reading Room

AWESOME! Just one of the many reasons we ❤️Russell Westbrook! The Thunder star opened his 'Why Not?' foundation's 30th Reading Room at an Oklahoma City elementary school. https://goo.gl/ujY4gC

Posted by KOCO 5 News on Thursday, March 15, 2018

Earlier this week, the reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook opened his 30th Russell’s Reading Room at a local elementary school called ‘Thelma Parks Elementary School.’ It was announced that he would also be opening nine more locations around Oklahoma City area. This comes on the heels of him opening 29 other reading rooms locations across Los Angeles where he is from and in Oklahoma City. In a continues effort to expand the literary initiatives of his foundation ‘The Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation.’ The foundation will be sponsoring Scholastic book fairs at each school that receives a reading room. Also, each child will be sent home with a book courtesy of the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, as a way to encourage children to start their own home libraries and inspire a lifelong avid love of reading.

“This will be a place for students to fall in love with books, strengthen their reading skills, and build their vocabulary,” said Jessica Johnson, Principal of Thelma Parks Elementary.

The Six-time Allstar and current league MVP was on hand to cut the ribbon by 94-year-old Thelma Parks, who the school is named after. Mrs. Parks was the First African American teacher in the first integrated school in Oklahoma City. She would later go on to hold positions on the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education and the National School Board Association.

About the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation:

In 2012 Russell Westbrook founded the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation. The Why Not? the mission is to inspire the lives of children who are at-risk, experiencing hardship, low-income, poor academic performance with a goal to empower them to believe that anything is possible with determination by saying the foundation’s motto “Why Not?.” The Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation is dedicated to supporting community-based education and family service programs while encouraging youth to believe in themselves despite adversity. www.whynotfoundation.org

About Scholastic:

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

Twitter: @russwest44 @whynotfdn @OKCPS @Scholastic

Facebook: Russell Westbrook, Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, Oklahoma City Public Schools, Scholastic

Instagram: @russwest44 @whynotfoundation @OKCPS @scholasticinc

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Tags: #RussellsReadingRoom, Los Angeles, OKC Thunder, Russell Westbrook, The Hype Magazine, Thelma Parks, Thunderup, Why Not? Foundation

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Landon Buford Washington State Graduate Past Interviews include Grammy Award Winner Kenny G, David Banner, WNBA President Lisa Borders, What's Trending's CEO Shira Lazar, Ice Cube, NBC's Chicago PD LaRoyce Hawkins, Family Matters Darius McCrary, En Vogues Maxine Jones, Team USA Track & Field Member Norris Frederick, James Kyson, WNBA Great Lauren Jackson, and more.