On Friday (June 5), Vanessa Bryant honored her late daughter Gianna on what would’ve been her graduation day.
In a heartfelt post to Instagram, Vanessa commemorated her daughter, who died in a tragic helicopter crash alongside Kobe and seven others. “Congratulations on your 8th grade graduation Gigi. I love you forever and always. I’m so proud of you. ❤️, Mommy #classof2020,” she wrote in addition to a photo of Gianna’s moniker.
Shortly after Gianna’s untimely death, her school Harbor Day retired her basketball jersey. During the ceremony, several members of the Harbor Day Student Council spoke about Gianna’s passion for change.
“In the 7th grade when she said she’d run for student council I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to hear and see what she would do to help elevate our student population. We gave her one assignment and she ran with it as quickly and as eagerly as anyone I’ve ever seen. Gianna was an amazing leader in our student council. We will always remember her will to make things better and to strive for excellence,” the student council faculty advisor said of Gianna at the time.
Vanessa’s touching tribute to Gianna came days after she spoke out against racial injustices on social media. The mother of four shared a photo of her late husband, who rocked a “I Can’t Breathe” shirt.
“My husband wore this shirt years ago and yet here we are again,” she wrote. “Life is so fragile. Life is so unpredictable. Life is too short. Let’s share and embrace the beautiful qualities and similarities we all share as people. Drive out hate. Teach respect and love for all at home and school. Spread LOVE. Fight for change- register to VOTE. Do not use innocent lives lost as an excuse to loot. BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE. #BLACKLIVESMATTER.”