Vanessa Bryant has announced the change in name to the Mamba Foundation. In honor of both her late husband, Kobe, and their late daughter, Gianna.
The non-profit organization will now be named the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
The organization is aimed at helping undeserved communities and individuals with sports programming. As well as create equal opportunities for female athletes as well.
The change comes a few weeks after the helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe and Gianna, as well as seven other people.
Bryant posted the new logo for the foundation on Instagram. Describing how there “… is no #24 without #2.” 24 is one of the numbers worn by Kobe during his NBA career and 2 is the number worn by Gianna.
Kobe created a legacy of excellence wearing 24 and winning multiple championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. Gianna was already making waves in the basketball world at the age of 13.
Both were on their way to a basketball tournament at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy where Gianna was set to play in.
The Name Change Honors Both of the Bryants and Those Who Still Play the Game
Bryant continued to explain: “Our mission remains the same – and stronger than ever – to provide opportunities to young people through sports,”.
And went on to thank those who have contributed to support the organization’s goals in the weeks following the accident.
She concluded her post with: “Thank you all for the outpouring of support and your kind donations to date as we carry forth Kobe and Gigi’s legacy. We hope to empower young athletes in a world they left us all to help shape.”
The world has continued to grieve the losses of all nine lives on the helicopter. With numerous tributes and honors being paid in both personal lives and public events.
Just recently, Kobe was paid tribute at the Academy Awards and in last night’s NBA All-Star game. It has been one of the more shocking celebrity deaths in recent memory. Certainly changed the feeling and tone of the NBA season, as well as countless other sports.
Our condolences continue to go out to the Bryant family and the families of every other victim of the crash.
