Naomi Osaka & LeBron James Launch Media Company To Elevate Creatives Of Color

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has joined hands with LeBron James’ SpringHill entertainment production company to launch a media firm of her own. Called Hana Kuma, which means “flower bear” in Japanese, the company will especially place a spotlight on upcoming creators who need a platform, including creatives of color. 

Hana Kuma is set to produce scripted, documentary-style content, and Japanese anime. Its first production, created by the New York Times, will center around the life of Patsy Mink, the first woman of color elected to US congress.

James’ own media company, SpringHill, will be there to provide Hana Kuma with the resources needed to create its content. In an interview with the Times, Osaka says that her venture comes from wanting to see people who looked like her on television growing up. With a boom in creators from all walks of life, now would be as good a time as any to create her own media company.  

It’s a great thing to see someone as influential as Osaka give back and provide a platform for others to start their own careers. Osaka has a wide reach, resonating with fans and non-fans of the sport alike. Her media company comes off the back of her new sports agency, Evolve, which she started with her long-time agent Stuart Duguid. The agency just signed fellow tennis star Nick Kyrgios earlier this week.  

[via Reuters and CNBC, Photo 138702670 © Zhukovsky | Dreamstime.com and Photo 16514196 © Martin Ellis | Dreamstime.com]