Kobe Bryant Gave Back to Underserved Communities Just as Much as He Gave His All on the Court

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Kobe Bryant familyKOBE BRYANT/INSTAGRAM

The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF) was established by the Bryant family in 2007 with the goals of enhancing the lives of those in need and motivating youth to continue participating in sports.

The charity has made donations of $20,000 to Kids in Sports Los Angeles and $75,000 to COACH for Kids and Their Families, which helps provide screenings and services to underprivileged neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Additionally, it threw a holiday party for My Friend’s Place’s homeless and at-rιsk families, where parents and their children got presents, refreshments, and pictures taken with Santa.

02of 15Kobe BryantKOBE BRYANT/INSTAGRAM

According to Forbes, after he left the NBA, Bryant founded Granity Studios, a production firm that specializes in using sports and storytelling to generate content for young adults.

In September 2019, Bryant said to the source, “For us, for the studio, it is trying to connect important messages that we want our youth to get to understand, to grow with and to evolve with.” “Then we start looking at sports and there is a connection with the story and the sport itself.”

Bryant’s Dear Basketball animated short, which won an Oscar, and other sports-themed books, such as The Wizenard Series: Season One (co-written with Wesley King) and Legacy and the Queen (co-written with Annie Matthew), were published by Granity Studios.

03of 15Kobe BryantKOBE BRYANT/INSTAGRAM

The sportsman chose tennis pro Serena Williams as his inspiration for Legacy and the Queen.

” @serenawilliams Now let’s get this done. #legacyandthequeen is inspired by the tennis queen. never fails to inspire the coming generation. Come on, let’s go!” In 2019, Bryant sent a message on Instagram with a picture of Williams and himself.

The plot centers on 12-year-old Legacy, a tennis enthusiast who cannot afford to take lessons, and her quest to win an annual competition in order to receive the financial award that may be used to keep her family’s orphanage afloat.

“I hope #legacyandthequeen inspires you to find that magical light within to guide you thru the dark #liveyourdream,” Bryant said in the introduction to his book.

04of 15Kobe BryantKOBE BRYANT/INSTAGRAM

In September 2019, the late star visited The View to discuss his podcast, The Punies. “I’m always game for talking about building confidence in young people and putting imagination back into sports,” he wrote.

The audio series centers on Puny Pete, a young child who enjoys playing sports with his neighborhood pals. It chronicles his many travels and the lessons he picks up along the way. With episodes like “Righteоus Rivals,” “Trust Your Crew,” and “Know Your Teammates,” there are currently two seasons.

05of 15Kobe Bryant Granted Over 200 Make-A-Wish Requests During His NBA CareerMAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION

Through his involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Kobe fulfilled almost 200 wishes.

“I think the best moment of my life was meeting Kobe,” Jordan Patterson, who was 13 when he first met Bryant eight years ago, said to TV station WITI.

After Bryant and his family were brought to Los Angeles, Wisconsin native Patterson, who was experiencing kidney trouble, was able to meet Bryant.

Regarding the 2012 visit, Patterson told the station, “It boosted my spirits so high.” “I truly appreciate that. He took any photos I wаnted, signed every one of them, and responded to all of my inquiries.”

06of 15Kobe Bryant charityKOBE BRYANT/TWITTER

Bryant also contributed to the funding of the National Museum of African American History & Culture through his family foundation. Upon contributing $1 million or more, he attained the status of milestone contributor and tweeted on the day the museum opened, saying, “Go. See. This Museum. The stories within this edifice are the best monument to this nation. Proud to be involved with it @NMAAHC.”

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The celebrity was named a 2009 national ambassador for After-School All-Stars, a free initiative that supports children’s development in five key domains: STEM, career exploration, physical and mentаl health, and the arts.

08of 15Kobe Bryant charityKOBE BRYANT/FACEBOOK

In 2012, Bryant contributed to the more than $81 million raised for cаncer research through Stand Up to Cаncer. Additionally, he shared a picture of two children he met through the program on Facebook with the caption, “We must FigҺt Cаncer! Children ought not to endure hardships. I went to camp today and met the cutest kids ever.”

09of 15Kobe BryantKOBE BRYANT/INSTAGRAM

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Bryant has visited underprivileged neighborhoods, schools, and kids out on the streets.

Taking a selfie with pupils after reading to them as part of the CDF Freedom Schools initiative, which aims to empower young people through reading, is what he is doing here.

10of 15Kobe CharitiesMICHAEL KOVAC/GETTY

On December 19, 2018, the late actor gave a surprise holiday visit to a nearby school in Mission Viejo, California.

11of 15Kobe Bryant Visit To Football Centre In Soweto - 2010 FIFA World Cup

On June 27, 2010, Bryant visited a football center in the Soweto area of South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup to spend time with the local families and children.

12of 15Kobe CharitiesANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE VIA GETTY

Speaking with Hurricane Katrina survivors during Kenny Smith’s Hurricane Katrina relief effort and the NBA Players Charity Game event on September 11, 2005, at Prince’s Gym in Houston, the star is seen in this photo. Evacuees were using the gym as a shelter at the time.

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Bowling in Harlem, the Black Mamba had a good time with some young people during a 2007 charity event in New York City.

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In Changchun, in the Jilin Province of China, on July 27, 2010, the international celebrity played basketball with students from Changchun University of Technology and provided them advice.

15of 15Kobe CharitiesNOAH GRAHAM/NBAE VIA GETTY

On October 20, 2004, Bryant and former Laker Brian Cook surprised the students at Center Street Elementary School in El Segundo, California, by reading to them in honor of the NBA’s Read to Achieve Week.