Vanessa Bryant Under Scrutiny for Alleged Failure to Employ Kobe Bryant’s $600 Million Estate Towards Black Community

The late, great NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant has found herself in hot waters as the way of her spending Kobe’s wealth has drawn negative attention following the latter’s demise in January 2020. He passed away in a helicopter crash that also claimed eight other lives, including that of his 13-year-old daughter. 

Kobe Bryant spent most of his life in the public spotlight and as per Forbes, Kobe Bryant’s net worth, at the time of his death, was $600 million. He created his wealth from his career earnings, endorsement deals, and investments off the court after he retired from the NBA in 2016.

Vanessa Bryant allegedly not utilizing Kobe Bryant’s money for Black community

In an episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, Dr. Umar Johnson, a psychologist and social media personality, accused Vanessa Bryant of not using her late husband’s money to help the Black community. Dr. Umar said the following via The Art of Dialogue: 

“Vanessa inherited his wealth and guess what? Is Vanessa Bryant using any of that Black man’s money to do any good in the Black community? Absolutely f***ing not. Vanessa Bryant just started an initiative with three predominantly white colleges. Some sort of a sports initiative with Kobe’s money and Kobe’s name.” 

Dr. Umar accuses Vanessa Bryant of not using Kobe Bryant's money to do good in the black community.

(🎥 @JoeBuddenPod ) pic.twitter.com/Rqfz8rpigQ

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) December 26, 2023

Kobe Bryant’s charity works

The way he played and dressed, it is needless to mention what he meant to a large population of black basketball fans. While playing for Lakers, he attended charity events to help the Lakers’ community. It’s worth noting that The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation was founded back in 2018 to aid and create a positive impact for underserved athletes and boys & girls in sports.

Its initial purpose was to assist the community in both a social (partnering with other foundations) and a sports level (hosting training camps for young athletes in various sports). Meanwhile, The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation donated more than $1 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

Kobe Bryant did other charity work for other foundations such as The Make-A-Wish, the After School All-Stars and more.