Miami Heat center and NBA legend Bam Adebayo has candidly discussed in the press his hardscrabble upbringing and his appreciation for the single mom who instilled within him the importance of hard work and education – and that led to him founding the BBB Foundation in 2021. There, he leads the board and works closely with foundation director Victoria Shahbaz to fulfill BBB’s mission of changing the lives of single mothers while developing the future chances, challenges, and choices of children.
What compelled BBB to partner with Miami Book Fair – how does our work support your community-building and cultural connection goals?
BA: The name of the foundation – Bam, Books, and Brotherhood – says it all. Growing up my mom focused on education before anything and I truly think that helped me stay focused.
BBB has also partnered with MBF via our Books for Free initiative – what’s been the most gratifying thing about that collaboration so far?
BA: being able to give anything to kids is always a blessing, and the fact that its education? Even better. Like I said, my mom always made education super important in our house. But I think the best part is knowing that at least one kid will be curious enough seeing my face (on life-sized cutouts at the B4F shelves) to pick up a book. That’s when I feel like I’ve done something bigger.
Tell me about some of the other organizations BBB partners with in Miami and why.
VS: Partnerships are everything within our organization. We’re a small team with a large vision, so being able to collaborate with others to further our reach is our motto; together we can do more. We’re pretty much open to partnering with any organization that shares our vision and truly wants to make a difference in the community.
How does MBF’s work align with your personal thoughts on access to literary culture?
BA: You guys get it – you understand that education should be attainable by anyone. You’re making kids that are like I was when I was growing up feel that they can be great and achieve; you believe in them. Just by providing the tools, and that’s something small that goes a long way. We say at the foundation to “give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.” Everything you guys are doing is my vision, and that’s why this partnership is just getting started.
Bam, you’ve spoken to the media about being raised by a single mom who emphasized the critical importance of education, and of the financial struggles you faced as a family. Did you have access to programming similar to Books for Free or the children’s programs offered by MBF when you were growing up?
BA: (My friends and I) had public libraries, and those really helped. But if these kinds of standalone libraries existed, like the ones provided by Books for Free, we certainly didn’t have anyone of influence that motivated and inspired us to take advantage of them. And more than just supporting the bookshelves, I want kids to know that I’m there for them, that BBB is there for them. Partnering with MBF is just one way I’m doing that.
What was the experience like for you and your team at Miami Book Fair 2024?
VS: This year we were unable to actually be present at the Fair, but we worked very, very closely with the team to create unique ideas to raise literacy awareness and make it “cool” for kids to want to attend. We came up with the golden ticket idea, where these tickets were hidden inside books – and that encouraged the kids to open up, look through, and read the books.
What’s the last great book that you read?
BA: Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You by WNBA champion A’ja Wilson.
Is there a book you read as a child or teenager that still holds resonance for you?
VS: The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. It’s a book I read as a teenager, a young adult, and then once more in my adulthood, each time understanding a different perspective.
If you could have a one-on-one conversation with any author, living or dead, who would they be?
BA: James Baldwin would have to win this one.
Interview by Elisa Chemayne Agostinho; responses have been edited for space and clarity.
