Kobe Bryant Memorial Ceremony: Too Big for the Staples Center

Plans for a public Kobe Bryant memorial ceremony are underway. While no official details of the date or location have been confirmed yet, one issue was apparently raised at a meeting to make arrangements for the event: while the Staples Center, known as the “House that Kobe Built,” is the intuitive place to stage the ceremony, it may simply not be large enough to accommodate the outpouring of public grief that organizers are anticipating.

TMZ reports that the L.A. Memorial Coliseum appears to be under consideration as a venue. The Coliseum is able to hold 80,000 people in the stands, and the surrounding parks could be used for overflow if needed. The Staples Center, by contrast, only holds 20,000 spectators inside. The TMZ post says that the Rose Bowl was brought up as a possibility, but while the capacity is larger, it seems the plan is to keep the event within the city of Los Angeles, rather than ask mourners to travel out to Pasadena.

In April, Staples hosted the public memorial service of slain rapper Nipsey Hussle. Tickets to attend the event were distributed within minutes of becoming available, and crowds spilled out into the L.A. Live plaza for hours.

[SOURCE: LAMAG]

Walmart donates $5 Million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 27, 2020 — Walmart announced today a $5 million grant to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C. Walmart’s support of NMAAHC is a part of the company’s continued commitment to advance causes that promote diversity and inclusion.

“The National Museum of African American History & Culture is a vital institution, deepening everyone’s understanding of our nation’s history through the lens of the African American experience,” said Julie Gehrki, vice president of philanthropy at Walmart. “Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have a long history of supporting diversity and inclusion, and we are pleased to support the museum as they continue to build out programs to advance their mission.”

This grant is the second donation Walmart has made to support the museum’s initiatives, with the first $5 million donated in 2010 to support the design and construction of the facility. The second investment will benefit the visitor services programs, corporate leadership council and other areas including collections and acquisitions, scholarship and research, education and public programs, exhibitions and emerging technologies.

Since opening in 2016, NMAAHC, the 19th Smithsonian Institution Museum, has welcomed more than 7 million visitors who have explored the exhibits and more than 3,000 artifacts on display. It is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture, and is a public institution open to all, where anyone is welcome to participate, collaborate, and learn more about African American history and culture. Later today, Walmart will host a private event to celebrate the museum’s contributions and acknowledge the critical role the Congressional Black Caucus played in helping to make the museum a reality.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation seek to transform systems to help create more equitable opportunities for all. Specifically, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation invest in work to diversify talent pipelines, build more inclusive small business ownership and enhance community cohesion. Most recently, Walmart funded a report published by FSG, which outlines steps employers can take to remove barriers to advancement of frontline employees of color.

For more information on Walmart’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and philanthropy, please visit Walmart.org.

Michelle Obama Wins Best Spoken Word Album

Michelle Obama has won Best Spoken Word Album for her audiobook Becoming.

Obama surprised the world when she made an appearance last year during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards. This year, she has earned her own GRAMMY nod for her audiobook, Becoming, which shares her journey from a little girl from the South Side of Chicago to lawyer and the First Lady of the United States.

Obama beat out fellow nominees Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz, Scott Sherratt and Dan Zitt (Beastie Boys Book), Eric Alexandrakis (I.V. Catatonia: 20 Years As A Two-Time Cancer Survivor), John Waters (Mr. Know-It-All) and Sekou Andrews & The String Theory (Sekou Andrews & The String Theory).

[SOURCE: Grammy.com]

Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar responds to death of Kobe Bryant

Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar released the following statement and video on the death of Kobe Bryant:

Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020

Barack Obama statement on the death of Kobe Bryant

Former United States President Barack Obama released the following statement on the death of Kobe Bryant:

Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.