Forest Whitaker once starred as a basketball show in the empowering film, Hurricane Season, but now he’s taking his interest in basketball to new heights. The talented Ngozi Nwanji of AfroTech has reported that the Godfather of Harlem star recently landed a position as a strategic investor in NBA Africa alongside respected economist Dr. Dambisa Moyo. Together, Whitaker and Moyo hope to strengthen “economic growth across the African continent through the league’s expansion.”
“I’m thrilled to become a strategic investor in NBA Africa as it plans to grow basketball’s presence across the continent,” Whitaker shared in a brief press statement.
“The game of basketball is incredibly inspirational, and my decade working in Africa has shown me how sports can be a transformative method of helping to foster peace, as well as an economic engine for socioeconomic development in areas of conflict. I deeply believe in the league’s commitment to youth empowerment and am so excited to work alongside the NBA Africa family.”
Whitaker and Moyo are just the latest pair of investors to join the growing endeavor. Previously, former NBA players Junior Bridgeman, Grant Hill, Joakim Noah, Dikembe Mutombo and Luol Deng invested in NBA Africa. Also, former President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner. In this role, Obama works to expand the league’s social responsibility efforts across the continent.
“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” Obama said.
“By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people.”
