Jamal Roberts fulfilled his promise to dedicate the entire $500,000 prize from his 2025 American Idol championship to renovating Crestwood Elementary School

---

By: Greg Lewis

Published on May 28, 2025, 4:00p.m. EST

Jamal Roberts, The American Idol winner from Meridian, Mississippi carried out with his heartfelt promise and proves to be a man of his word.

Jamal Roberts

The American Idol champion kept his promise and donated his entire $500,000 cash prize to help the children of Crestwood Elementary School where he currently works.

Crestwood Elementary is located in a low-income area of Jackson, Mississippi.

Many of their students come from underprivileged backgrounds with families who are unable to afford school supplies.

“I’ve walked these halls, I’ve seen the cracked ceilings and broken window,” Roberts said during a press conference at school. “But more than that, I’ve seen kids who show up everyday with big dreams, despite having so little. I told myself, If I ever got the chance to do something bigger, I’d do it for them.”

It was reported that the “Heal” singer transferred the full $500,000 into a special trust designated for Crestwood Elementary’s renovation and student support.

Jamal Roberts

It was reported that the full $500,000 will go towards upgrading the school classrooms with new desks, computers and smart boards, repair the crumbling gymnasium, modernize the school library and even build a new music room.

Crestwood Elementary

School officials also reported that part of the funding will also cover tuition, meals, supplies and after school programs for all students from low-income households for free.

Principal Sharon Ellis called donation “a miracle” and praised Roberts as “a hero in every sense of the word.”

“It’s about what It represents: hope, opportunity and someone who believes in these kids as much as we do.”