Several years back, a new jazz conference was seeking to determine what role jazz could play in today’s society, and it tapped Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as its keynote speaker.

The inaugural Jazz Congress event was held on Jan. 11, 2017 in New York City. Although Abdul-Jabbar is best known as a Hall of Fame basketball legend, he’s also a cultural commentator and has been a longtime jazz enthusiast; his father was a trombonist.

Abdul-Jabbar discussed the role jazz could play in the cultural, political and social framework in society.

Quotes:

  • My love of jazz stems not just from the music itself, but from its history.
  • We need a much more outreach programs in schools…comprehensive and intensive [education] program….but we will be bringing joy to the community, perhaps inspiring future jazz musicians and creating a lot of new customers for your music. 
  • So, I’ll leave you with what jazz is to me. Jazz is the perfection of imperfection. 
  • In the end, jazz not only makes us feel better-it can also make us better.

Source:  Associated Press and Jazztimes.com

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a NBA all-time leading scorer, with six championships and six MVP awards—a record in league history.

  • As a public figure, he is recognized as an influential Black leader and writes on current social and political topics for major publications such as The Washington Post and Time Magazine.
  • As an Author, Speaker, and Activist. Abdul-Jabbar is a New York Times best-selling author, regularly speaks nationally, and addresses political issues in works like “Writings on the Wall.”
  • He won an Emmy for his HBO documentary, “Kareem: Minority of One,” which set viewership records.
  • As chairman of the Skyhook Foundation, he supports STEM education for underserved communities through outdoor learning programs.
  • He has authored several books, including his memoir “Coach Wooden & Me,” and was developing the “Mycroft Holmes” action/mystery series.
  • For a while, he appeared weekly as an NBA Insider on ESPN’s “The Jump.”
  • President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom and appointed him to the Council on Sports & Fitness.
  • In 2017, he became the first African-American named to the Citizens Coin Advisory Council (CCAC) and is active in U.S. coin decision-making.