Mid-Year Conference
Beacon of Industry Award
Chris Webber
NBA Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist & Author
Chris Webber may be most recognized and celebrated as a basketball legend, but C-Webb, as he is affectionately known, leads the pack in more than sports. The serial entrepreneur, broadcaster, and philanthropist has moved seamlessly from the hardwood to the real world. Channeling his early days in Detroit leading his high school to three championships, his record-breaking collegiate career of back-to-back NCAA championship finals as a member of the Fab Five, and his standout 15-year NBA career, especially leading the Sacramento Kings to a Western Conference Finals showdown with the Lakers, he’s parlayed his leadership skills, tremendous work ethic, and unwavering commitment to excellence into success in every arena of his life.
Off the court, he’s applied those qualities to his varying entrepreneurial and social impact ventures. His company, Webber-Gilbert Productions, has produced over 30 films, including the Emmy-nominated Charm City (2018) and Sundance darling Unexpected (2015) which helped launch the career of Snowfall and P-Valley star Gail Bean. Through Webber Willis Ventures, which raised over $150 million in capital, he’s also been a transformative force in the cannabis industry effectively using social equity investment in entrepreneurs of color to correct historical injustices and diversify the industry’s leadership ranks.
In addition to being a trusted pitchman with endorsements that have included Nike, Coca-Cola, and New Era, he distinguished himself as a sports broadcaster as a member of TNT’s Emmy-winning broadcast, “Inside the NBA,” and on-air talent for NBA TV. He’s also enjoyed success as a music producer, most notably placing “Burnt Ashes” on respected rapper Nas’ acclaimed album, Hip Hop Is Dead and “Surviving the Times” on his Greatest Hits album.
A humanitarian to his core, Webber has consistently given back through The Chris Webber Foundation since 1993, providing toys, books, scholarships, school incentives, holiday presents and financial support to thousands of young people in the Detroit, Washington, DC, Oakland, Atlanta, Sacramento, and Philadelphia areas. He’s also shared his growing collection of African American artifacts including letters from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X and a book published by Phillis Wheatley, widely visiting schools and loaning items to exhibitions
throughout the country.
In 2021, he reached the pinnacle of his basketball career with an induction into the Hall of Fame. Webber's lifetime of greatness has been encapsulated in a recently released book titled By God's Grace. The book is accompanied with his new podcast By God’s Grace: The Chris Webber Story, which will include footage and interviews the NBA legend has obtained over the course of more than 12 years.
He lives between Detroit and the Metro Atlanta area with his wife and children.
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