Image Source: NBC News, The New York Times
Vanessa Bryant recently appeared at the third annual Sports Power Brunch where she advocated for girls in sports.
On February 8th, 2022, at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA, the third annual Sports Power Brunch was presented by Champion, honored Vanessa Bryant, wife of late Kobe Bryant with ‘Be Your Own Champion Award’ for her work with Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Maria Teza, Senior Vice President, Champion North America said, “The Champion brand stands for inclusion in sports, and we’re proud to support this event honoring great women leaders in sports. These leaders truly exemplify the spirit of our brand, which we call ‘Be Your Own Champion,’ by expressing themselves and playing the game by their own rules.”
While accepting the award, Vanessa advocated for women in sports and entertainment and said, "As a mother of four strong girls, I care deeply about not only leveling the playing field for girls, but elevating it. I want to instill in our young people that girls are just as good as boys and often times, better. I want to provide young girls with opportunities to showcase their talents and to dominate in their fields. It was important to Kobe, it was exemplified by Gigi and it is something for which Natalia, Bianka, Capri and I will always fight for."
Vanessa Bryant further mentioned how Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation launched its first inaugural skills academy and invited several chapters of the Boys and Girls Club to participate. Vanessa said, "If they're taught how to share common goals and compete together to achieve them, then those skills will not only help them grow as children but it was also help them grow in business and future relationships as adults." Vanessa lastly added that her goal is to provide young girls with opportunities to showcase their talents and to dominate in their fields.
Vanessa Bryant and her family. Image Source: Teen Vogue
Vanessa Bryant who lost Kobe Bryant and her teenage daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash that also killed seven others in January 2020 shared about life after the loss of her beloved husband and daughter during an interview with People and explained, "I can't say that I'm strong every day. I can't say that there aren't days when I feel like I can't survive to the next. This pain is unimaginable [but] you just have to get up and push forward. Lying in bed crying isn't going to change the fact that my family will never be the same again. But getting out of bed and pushing forward is going to make the day better for my girls and for me. So that's what I do." Vanessa also added, "I guess the best way to describe it is that Kobe and Gigi motivate me to keep going. They inspire me to try harder and be better every day. Their love is unconditional and they motivate me in so many different ways. My girls help me smile through the pain They give me strength."
In the end, Vanessa Bryant added, "I want to make Kobe, Gigi, Natalia, Bianka and Capri proud." Other women who were honored at the third annual Sports Power Brunch included Los Angeles Sparks senior vice president Natalie White, EAG Sports management CEO Denise White and Terri Hines, executive vice president of communications at Fox Sports.
