Macon Man finds unique way to celebrate Kobe Bryant Day
Macon Man finds unique way to celebrate Kobe Bryant Day
Mercer alum D’Amonta Johnson is writing his eighth book in honor of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
MACON, Ga. — Kobe Bryant once said, “Dedication makes dreams come true.”
One Macon man is making his own dreams a reality.
Kobe Bryant Day is celebrated on Aug. 24 of each year, and Macon resident D’Amonta Johnson is honoring the event by launching a book of poetry on Saturday.
Johnson became a Kobe fan in high school. His loved ones say he is the biggest Bryant fan they know. From jerseys to shoes and everything in between, Johnson has dozens of Kobe collectibles.
But he says what drew him to the NBA star is the way Kobe spoke.
“[I’d] like to think that what I’ve learned from him I can apply, whether it’s my writing with business and it’s just – he’s someone that far surpassed just basketball,” Johnson said.
He told 13WMAZ’s Sami Kostas the goal for the book “8/24” is to inspire others just as Kobe Bryant inspired him.
“One of my biggest things, which I have a tattoo (of), is about success at success, which basically, whenever we feel that we’ve accomplished something in life,” Johnson said, “There’s always something else to accomplish. You never feel that you have arrived. You know, there’s always a next level to reach.”
Johnson graduated from Mercer University. He was also chosen as a Mercer Minority Mentor Program ’40 under 40′ honoree for his contributions to the school’s legacy.
He says he started thinking about what to write for his next book after he finished his seventh. When he noticed this year’s Kobe Bryant Day would be 8/24/24 he decided he had to write his eighth book about his hero.
The book has 42 poems. The number stems from Bryant’s most popular jersey numbers: 8, 24, and 10. The book can be found here on Saturday.