Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Breaks Silence on Bam Adebayo & More After NBA Declares Final Nominees

Jabbar’s life is a powerful example of how one person can influence much more than just their field of expertise. As he told Harvard Business Review, “I know I’ll be remembered for the things I did on the basketball court. But I hope people will also see that, with my books and my film, I was multidimensional.” His achievements, both on and off the court, earned him the nation’s highest civilian honor, a reflection of his far-reaching impact in social and political movements beyond the sports world.

Growing up in Harlem, he was deeply influenced by the Harlem Renaissance, a period that gave Black Americans a platform to show their worth. “Harlem was a very important place for black Americans,” he recalled. His resolve for justice grew even stronger after witnessing Muhammad Ali stand against the Vietnam War. In 1971, Jabbar took his own stand by publicly declaring his Muslim faith and changing his name from Lew Alcindor. “Being able to assert an identity that is in harmony with who I am, that was the most important thing,” he said.

Kareem’s commitment to bettering society extended into public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he strongly advocated for vaccine mandates, particularly in the Black community. “There is no more research to do when thousands are dying every day,” he pointed out, stressing the urgency of taking action. Whether it’s through his social justice work, public health advocacy, or education, Jabbar has remained steadfast in his mission to make the world a better place.