‘Mamba & Mambacita Forever,’ will be released on Aug. 19 ahead of Kobe Bryant Day.
Vanessa Bryant has
announced the release of a new mural-inspired book to honor the life and legacy of her late husband Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gianna.
The widow of the former Lakers star authored the book “Mamba & Mambacita Forever,” which will highlight over 100 public murals in Los Angeles and around the globe with photography from Andrew D. Bernstein.
The book is set to be released Aug. 19 during Mamba Week, which includes his birthday on Aug. 23 and Kobe Bryant Day, which lands on Aug. 24, a date that combines eight and 24, his two jersey numbers as a Laker.
Following the pair’s January 2020 death in a helicopter crash, fans and mourners have dedicated their time to
creating artistic memorials in remembrance of the NBA legend, as well as Gianna’s contribution to and love for the sport. Kobe Bryant was 41 when he died; Gianna was 13.
“What emerges is the story of a man who became even more than he himself could have imagined, an avatar of determination, discipline, and competitiveness,” said the publisher’s press
release.
“When it came to the little attention women’s sports was getting at the time, Gianna wanted to break the ceiling and she was committed to being a leader in creating change for the betterment of all athletes, especially young girls and women.”
Jan. 26 marks five years since
the crash, which also killed seven others. The passengers were on their way from John Wayne Airport in Orange County to a basketball tournament at Kobe’s Mamba Sports Academy in Ventura County when they encountered heavy fog and crashed into the hills.
Through philanthropic efforts, Vanessa Bryant has kept the legacy of her husband and daughter alive, with the book’s title representing
the “Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation,” a nonprofit she founded and currently chairs.
The foundation
is “dedicated to creating positive impact for underserved athletes and boys and girls in sports,” with all proceeds from merchandise sales going directly to the cause.
Most recently, the L.A. native
contributed to wildfire relief efforts on behalf of the foundation, donating thousands of pieces of clothing to those affected by the fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Malibu, and other areas.
“@MambaMambacitaSports took our first step in supporting children and families that had to evacuate their homes due to the L.A. fires. Over 8,000 pieces of apparel and sneakers were donated to families in need for the L.A. Strong Essentials Distribution,” she
wrote via Instagram.
“There’s a long road to recovery ahead of us, so stay tuned for our ongoing efforts to help L.A. rebuild #LAStrong #PlayGigisWay #MambaForever.”
Gianna was the second-oldest of the Bryants’ daughters. The other three are Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
