DEDICATION SEES DREAMS COME TRUE — Inspiring And Empowering Ladies

I, along with millions of people around the globe, was devastated when I heard that Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, January 26, 2020 while en route to Mamba Sports Academy (which was co-founded by Kobe). It was even more heart wrenching when we learned that his daughter Gianna Bryant, baseball coach John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan died also. That is a total of 9 lives lost and 9 families distraught. I immediately felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. I am still in utter disbelief as this has been extremely difficult to process. While I like basketball, I am not a huge basketball fan, but still know who Kobe Bryant is being that he was a legend on and off the court. Anytime someone loses their life I am grieving because I love life, but this one hit on a different level. The death of Kobe Bryant was unpredictable, unimaginable and unfortunate. My prayers are with all of the victims’ family and friends. Sunday evening was difficult for me to fall asleep. I've been watching videos about Kobe Bryant and reading quotes ever since I heard the heartbreaking news. I cannot begin to imagine the pain his loved ones are feeling and this is only the beginning.

Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978 and died on January 26, 2020. His life was a testament of unmerited work ethic, dreams coming true, the power of believing in yourself, overcoming obstacles, selflessness, strong family values, inherited faith, intuitive instinct, seizing each day and every moment, holding yourself to a standard of excellence, what working towards your purpose looks like, doing everything with your whole heart, moving forward in spite of your mistakes by learning the necessary lessons, being average will not suffice, rising above, taking nothing for granted, expecting the unexpected, refusing to lose because you are destined to win! Kobe believed that it was our responsibility to help one another. Some words that come to mind when thinking of Kobe Bryant are grit, determination, drive, passion, perseverance, tenacity, resilience, heart, GOAT, legend, hero, icon and champion. While we lost a legend we gained an angel. His death is beyond tragic, yet it helped us to realize that his impact was immense. At only 41 years old, he inspired the world by pursuing greatness while shining on the court and off the court.

Kobe was well beyond his years, as a teenager and young adult he preferred practicing over partying. When he wasn't practicing he was working out or studying game footage. On January 22, 2006 Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors at the Staples Center. That was the second greatest scoring performance in NBA history.

God used Kobe’s love for basketball and skillset to introduce Kobe Bryant to the world as a NBA superstar, but that wasn't the only talent he blessed him with and that is evident in the outcry across the globe. Kobe was blessed to be a son to his parents, a brother to his sisters, a husband to his wife Vanessa Bryant, a father to his daughters Natalia 17, Gianna 13, Bianka 3, and Capri 7 months, empowering basketball coach to his daughter Gianna and her teammates, avid supporter of women athletes, mentor to all going after their dreams, a hero to all, especially his basketball fans, and a philanthropist to various ventures. Kobe took great pleasure in coaching his daughter Gianna’s basketball team and used it as an opportunity to teach them valuable life lessons such as communication, empathy, selflessness, pursuing excellence and the level of commitment that requires.

Kobe was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year for his relentless pursuit, ruthless drive, ability to captivate the audience and dominate his opposing team. Kobe possessed a unique mentality; he was never going to give up. He was drafted into the league at 17 years old after graduating from Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia in 1996. Kobe said “Once you step on the basketball court age goes out the window.” That was so true because he played with his whole heart during the 20 years he played in the league as a Los Angeles Laker, regardless of his age.

When asked when Kobe realized he was a professional, he stated he knew his senior year. Kobe was a diehard Lakers fan growing up, and he absolutely loved Magic Johnson. His starting 5 players in the game of basketball and the men he personally learned a lot from were Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, and Jerry West. Kobe described basketball as LOVE, Los Angeles as HOME, retirement as PEACE and legacy as WOW.

Kobe Bryant was much more than the game of basketball. Basketball didn't define him, he defined basketball. He was an authentic, genuine and caring individual. Kobe was multilingual, able to speak Spanish, Italian and Chinese in addition to English. Kobe possessed self-confidence, unwavering intensity, and unparalleled work ethic because there is no substitution to work, you have to put in the work.

Kobe Bryant was a mogul in media and business which allowed him to be a successful entrepreneur. Kobe Bryant said there is a difference between what you do and who you are. Kobe had so much planned and he wasn't done yet, but God had other plans. He applied the same drive and determination as he did in basketball to business and succeeded. Some of his accomplishments after basketball were his investment in Body Armor, a sports drink which is an alternative to Gatorade. A 6 million dollar investment in Body Armor quickly became 20 million, but money was never Kobe’s motivation. Kobe received an Oscar in 2018 for Best Animated Short Film entitled “Dear Basketball". Kobe was also the owner of Kobe Inc., an investment firm. Kobe lived a short, yet fulfilled life! Kobe lived without apology. Kobe is one of the greatest of all times aka the GOAT.

Kobe Bryant was a real life super hero, transformative, always evolving and a leading light. He took the pursuit of excellence serious. While many people desire success, they often don't want to do the work that is required. Kobe was the exact opposite. Kobe knew that whenever experiencing a storm it would eventually end, which is why he always kept going no matter what happened. He was dedicated to being the best he could possibly be by always looking for opportunities to improve. Kobe did hundreds of visits for the Make A Wish Foundation. I recently learned that Kobe learned to tap dance to protect his ankles. He also read the referee rule book so that he could be cognizant of their positions on the court. Magic Johnson said Kobe was the greatest Laker of all time. Eric Thomas once said "champions make adjustments not excuses." Kobe Bryant was a champion indeed!

Kobe lived an authentic and fierce life without apology. At 17 years old, Kobe said scoring 29 points was easy! Kobe showed that life existed after he retired from basketball. He was able to reinvent himself. Kobe pushed the envelope beyond the status quo. Kobe was universally accepted. Someone once said a record is what you've done, but a legacy is what you've meant. Kobe has an immeasurable impact, one that cannot be defined. Kobe was disciplined, intelligent, cultured and well-read. Kobe challenged everyone he encountered towards greatness. As a result of Kobe and Vanessa Bryant’s efforts, their girls will become strong young women.

Kobe had the opportunity to play with Michael Jordan and wasn't intimidated; he saw it as an opportunity to learn from him. Kobe approached every game by giving it his all regardless of who he was going up against. Kobe was willing to learn and that's what made him a phenomenal leader. In hearing of the death of Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan stated, "I love Kobe, he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much. He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply-and took great pride in his daughter's love for the game of basketball."

Derek Fisher stated "We must find the strength to do more for other people than we would for ourselves" as Kobe would. Fisher also stated "I hate that this had to happen in order for us to appreciate the full version of Kobe Bryant.

Tracy McGrady shared that he used to call Kobe often and lean on him for advice when experiencing turbulent times during his rookie season, as Kobe also experienced turbulence during his rookie season. McGrady states that he got his work ethic from Bryant. They hadn't spoken in a while, not because of differences, but because Kobe had buried himself into the craft of basketball and had cut everyone off. In the last few years they were able to rekindle their relationship while coaching their children in AAU tournaments. Paul Pierce stated that Kobe motivated him and brought the best out of him on and off the court. Paul Pierce recalled that when he asked to guard Kobe in the finals his mindset was, "If you want to be great you have to go up against the best and Kobe was the best."

Kobe had so many accomplishments on and off the court yet he said, "Being a father is the thing I am most proud of in this world; it's my greatest accomplishment.” Kobe definitely exuded fierce and unconditional love for his children. Kobe Bryant took pride in being a girl’s dad. Kobe resonated with many because he led a remarkable life.

Kobe was always living for a new challenge; he never became complacent which is evident in the mamba mentality. Stephen A. Smith recalls Kobe Bryant saying "You go for it all. You exhaust every means imaginable to acquire the aspirations that you have." That is what life was all about for Kobe even after his retirement. Kobe was awarded the title MVP while in the league, but I would argue that he was without a doubt one of the Most Valuable People. Kobe Bryant will live on because champions never die.

Kobe earned 5 consecutive championships before retiring in 2016, below you will find the words of Dear Basketball which was written by Kobe Bryant to the Players announcing his retirement from basketball.

Dear Basketball,

From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots in the Great Western Forum I knew one thing was real: I fell in love with you.

A love so deep I gave you my all —From my mind & body to my spirit & soul.

As a six-year-old boy deeply in love with you, I never saw the end of the tunnel. I only saw myself running out of one.

And so I ran. I ran up and down every court after every loose ball for you. You asked for my hustle I gave you my heart because it came with so much more.

I played through the sweat and hurt not because challenge called me but because YOU called me.I did everything for you because that’s what you do when someone makes you feel as alive as you’ve made me feel.

You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream. And I’ll always love you for it. But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer. This season is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind. But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now. So we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other all that we have.

And we both know, no matter what I do next, I’ll always be that kid with the rolled up socks. Garbage can in the corner: 05 seconds on the clock, ball in my hands. 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

Love you always, Kobe