Kobe Bryant: A Legend Off Of the Court
On January 26th, we lost a legend, athletic role model, and Black cultural icon.
Kobe Bryant dedicated much of his life to the game of basketball, which he loved so deeply that he penned a letter to the sport and The Players Tribune in 2015, announcing his retirement. While Bryant was known for his dedication on the court, his dedication and desire to succeed also shone off the court through different endeavors.
The world’s reaction to Bryant’s passing alone demonstrates the strength of his legacy, made increasingly poignant by an online petition circulating to memorialize the late Lakers shooting guard as the player silhouette in the official NBA logo.
The mark that Kobe Bryant left in areas other than basketball, such as the arts and entertainment, demonstrate the depth of his influence as a black cultural figure, and can never be erased.
Bryant’s announcement of his retirement was later turned into an animated short film with the help of other creatives.
Written and narrated by Bryant himself, the film, titled Dear Basketball, was directed by veteran Disney animator Glen Keane, produced by Gennie Rim, and scored by composer John Williams. The creation of this film came with many firsts, as it was the first Oscar win for any professional athlete, taking home the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018.
Dear Basketball also won the Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject and the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Post-Produced Graphic Design in 2018. This film signified Bryant bringing his talents to realms beyond basketball, which inspired and excited fans across the globe.
Source: relevantmagazine.com
When accepting the Oscar for this short film, it is worth noting that Bryant used his platform to push back against a disrespectful and racially charged statement made about athletes by journalist Laura Ingraham.
In response to NBA players Lebron James and Kevin Durant commenting on politics and expressing their disapproval of President Trump, Ingraham told the pair to “shut up and dribble” on a Fox News segment. As a nod to this comment, Bryant said:
Bryant further advocated for occupying spaces that people such as himself (whether in reference to his profession or race) might not occupy during an interview on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, when he disclosed that he was the first Black person to ever win the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Breaking this barrier meant a lot to Bryant, who discussed wanting to continue his passion for writing and storytelling, especially since he saw the dire need for more diversity within these artistic spaces.
Another example of Bryant taking his relentless dedication and applying it to ventures off the court can be seen in his success as an investor and businessman.
Bryant co-founded a venture capital fund to invest in media and tech companies in 2013 called Bryant Stibel & Co. By September 2019, the firm was reported to manage more than $2 billion in capital.
In 2016, Bryant founded the award-winning multimedia company Kobe Studios, later renamed Granity Studios, to make space for new ways to tell stories around sports. A statement on Granity Studios website reads:
“We partner with award-winning writers, producers and illustrators to awaken the imagination of young athletes and foster emotional and mental development that allows them to reach their full potential.” This venture was fueled by Bryant’s desire to empower underprivileged young people to be the best version of themselves, regardless of their circumstances growing up.
Bryant was also an author, having written “The Mamba Mentality,” a New York Times Bestseller, and “The Wizenard Series,” focusing on the intersection of sports and storytelling for the purpose of educating readers.
Kobe Bryant’s books Serie Wizard ‘and ‘The Mamba Mentality’
While “The Mamba Mentality” was an autobiography, Bryant, along with co-author Wesley King, wanted to focus on the lives of underrepresented inner city kids in “The Wizenard Series,” understanding that sports is often viewed as an escape from certain circumstances. While showcasing representation was a huge part of this book for Bryant, he also aimed to empower teens with the courage to face their fears.
Source: People.com
An artist, advocate, businessman, and #Girldad, as Kobe called himself in a conversation with ESPN anchor Elle Duncan, Bryant’s impact on the world has been highlighted in recent weeks since his passing.
