Grieving Mom Vanessa Bryant Announces "Mambacita" Addition to Kobe Bryant Foundation

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There is so much that’s unimaginable about what Vanessa Bryant is going through right now. Not only is she mourning the loss of husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant while still being a mom to her three other daughters, she’s also doing it all in the public eye. That makes it even more admirable that she’s managing to channel some of that grief into helping others.

On Thursday, Bryant took to Instagram to announce that Gianna’s nickname would be added to the name of Kobe Bryant’s youth sports organization, now the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.

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“Because there is no #24 without #2, we have updated the Mamba Sports Foundation to now be called the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation,” Bryant wrote. “Our mission remains the same — and stronger than ever — to provide opportunities to young people through sports. Thank you all for the outpouring of support and your kind donations to date as we carry forth Kobe and Gigi’s legacy. We hope to empower young athletes in a world they left us all to help shape.”

The foundation funds sports programs and athletes in underserved communities, with a special emphasis on making sure women and girls have equal opportunities in sports.

“The Foundation aims to develop learning skills, enhancing character traits, and expanding personal values that ultimately empower and inspire self-confidence,” reads its website.

Earlier this week, Bryant shared more about what she’s been feeling like in the weeks since her husband, daughter, and seven others died in a helicopter crash on January 26.

“My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone,” she wrote. “I can’t process both at the same time. It’s like I’m trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me. It feels wrong. Why should I be able to wake up another day when my baby girl isn’t being able to have that opportunity?! I’m so mad.”

At the same time, Bryant wrote that she knows she needs to remain strong for her other three daughters, Natalia (17), Bianka (3) and Capri (7 months). Although, it seems like baby Capri is helping her mom out, too. Just look at the video Bryant took of her daughter giggling as she learns how to stand:

It would be completely understandable if Bryant wanted to keep all these difficult feelings private, but she hasn’t.

“I just wanted to share in case there’s anyone out there that’s experienced a loss like this,” she wrote. “God I wish they were here and this nightmare would be over. Praying for all of the victims of this horrible tragedy. Please continue to pray for all.”

On February 24, there will be a public memorial for all of the crash victims, and it’s being billed as a “Celebration of Life.”

“#2, #24, #20 years as a Laker and the amount of years Kob and I were together,” Bryant wrote when she posted about the event.

Like Bryant, we can all use a minute of joy. Let’s celebrate her and the other celeb moms who had babies in 2019.

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