W. Kamau Bell Donates $1 Million to Fund Oakland School Projects

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — Comedian W. Kamau Bell announced on Thursday that he will donate his $1 million prize from Celebrity Jeopardy! to fund more than 200 classroom projects in Oakland schools.

Bell made the announcement at Castlemont High School, where 19 projects were listed needing around $23,000 for supplies like paper towels, paint brushes, and books. With this donation, all DonorsChoose projects in Oakland, totaling approximately $150,000, will be fully funded.

“This town really changed me when I moved here in 1997, so I’ve got to pay it forward and backward,” Bell said to the students gathered in the media center. He highlighted the responsibility of giving back, especially as public education faces funding challenges.

“Most teachers spend money from their own paycheck to support their students. So this is a way to say we should stop doing that until our country understands that we need to fund public education better,” he added.

The donation comes at a crucial time when educators increasingly struggle with limited resources. Devynn Taylor, Director of the Community Health Equity Academy at Castlemont High, expressed relief about the funding, as he had started an online fundraiser which is now covered by Bell’s generous gift.

“It’s good to know that us at OUSD and our Oakland teachers are being seen and identified,” Taylor said. The funds will also support projects in Bell’s father’s hometown of Mobile, Alabama.

Castlemont High Freshman Nasir Obasohan shared his excitement, stating, “It made me feel good, you know, to help Oakland in general, or help Castlemont… Make the school a better place.”

Bell’s awareness of pop culture contributed to his success on Celebrity Jeopardy!, where he won with the final answer of “Bob Newhart.” He placed a strategic bet that led to his win, which will now help students and teachers thrive.