Russell Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star and 2017 MVP — accolades that speak to his skill set. When he isn’t dominating the court, the Denver Nuggets point guard dedicates his time to making a difference through his Why Not? Foundation.

Founded in 2012, Westbrook’s foundation strives to lead, impact, and inspire underserved communities. With a focus on education, mental health, and career development, it seeks to bridge socioeconomic gaps and encourage people to believe in themselves and overcome obstacles, according to its website.

“I started my foundation strictly based on education initially,” Westbrook told AFROTECH™. “I wanted to expand into other areas that I felt [would] be beneficial for the people, not just in Los Angeles, but globally, with mental health and in the workforce, and obviously keeping education as part of our pillars.”

“Why Not?” has been hailed as a mantra of empowerment that inspires confidence and resilience, something Westbrook emphasizes was a deliberate choice. Growing up in inner-city Los Angeles, CA, Westbrook says he’s witnessed the community’s needs firsthand, and they have not changed over the years.

For the basketball icon, empowerment lies in consistency and presence, making it a cornerstone of his mission.

“I think people really connect with people that are present, that are consistent, not just a one-hit wonder, kind of write a check and go about their business, but somebody that’s actually present and being there,” Westbrook asserted.

He notes that mental health resources are especially crucial in today’s society, particularly for helping youth understand, articulate, and navigate their emotions. Through his foundation, Westbrook has developed a framework that allows him to maximize his impact.

“Making the connectivity and seeing the growth of the students, or seeing the growth of somebody that’s struggling mentally, and being able to see their process and go through their process with them. That, to me, is empowerment,” Westbrook added. “That is something that I try to implement as much time as I can.”

Westbrook says that growth and building connections are top priorities for the foundation’s long-term goals, serving as key measures of success for the programs he implements.

Even if he connects with just one person a day — such as a kid who expresses gratitude for the opportunity, saying he’s been able to go to college — Westbrook feels successful in his efforts, as long as someone is positively impacted by the partnerships and collaborations he helps create.

“That shows me that it’s working, no matter how fast or whatever it may be,” Westbrook added, “but just setting the foundation and finding ways to measure that success by just having those interactions. To me, it’s important.”

The point guard shares that he feels fortunate and grateful to have launched the Westbrook Academy in Southgate, Los Angeles, with the L.A. Promise Fund, which provided the access and resources necessary to bring the academy to life. He emphasizes the school’s distinctive “wraparound services” and highlights its family-like atmosphere as one of the key factors that sets it apart from other educational institutions in South L.A.

The school also focuses on the importance of helping students connect with people who share similar backgrounds and understand the challenges they may face at home. Additionally, it offers support from mentors who can guide them as they grow and navigate through life.

“The whole goal is to give them access, give them resources, give them confidence, empower them that they can do whatever it is they put their mind to,” Westbrook said. “Not just that, but be present, have programs in place for them, have different things that they can be, walk through life, and be successful when they leave Westbrook Academy. So, that is a goal and we’re still striving to be able to do that as we continue to grow.”

Having achieved significant success — with 689 wins in his career and the most triple-doubles in NBA history — Westbrook feels inspired to dedicate his time, effort, and energy to helping others. He adds that he wants to show his three kids how important it is to use what they may have to help and serve others.

In the coming years, Westbrook expresses his excitement for the growth of the Why Not? Foundation and Westbrook Academy, aiming to reach more students and open doors to benefit as many people as possible.

“God has blessed me with this platform,” Westbrook said. “I didn’t ask for it, nor did I dream of being in this position. And I feel like I’ve been put in this position to be able to be a vehicle and be a person to be able to lead the charge. So that is my ultimate motivation, to be able to continue following that lead and be in a position to be able to help as many people as possible.”

 

When asked about the most important message he wants to share with young people who look up to him and his foundation’s efforts, Westbrook stresses the significance of staying true to oneself, especially in a society where social media holds such powerful influence.

“I think it’s important that you stay true to who you are and believe that you can do and strive to be anything that you want to be,” Westbrook told AFROTECH™. “Because then that kind of leads me back to the reason why we named the foundation [the] Why Not? Foundation, because it’s important to believe and think that you can do anything regardless of the obstacles and the things people say you may can or can’t do. It’s important to be able to keep that positive mindset and stand true to the things you may want to do.”