17. KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR
Former Los Angeles Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was an anti-celebrity from the start and it was no surprise to anyone that after his legendary career, he would opt out and work to heal the world.
The question was “how?”
Throughout his 20 seasons in the NBA, he maintained the decorum of a leader. Thus, after retiring he emerged as the perfect O.G. to serve as a life coach and mentor to some of the league’s young athletes.
He also tried his large hand in acting starring opposite Bruce Lee in “Game of Death” and as the co-pilot Roger Murdock in the movie “Airplane.” In this space, he hoped to heal the world through entertainment.
He is a renowned author writing numerous books. He is a go-to to pen articles on race, religion, human rights, and politics for all kinds of publications including Time magazine. He hoped to heal the world by engaging their minds.
In 2012, Hillary Clinton appointed him as a cultural ambassador for the United States and in 2016, he was named to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition by the 44th national executive, Barack Obama. He also received a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his humanitarian work from the same administration. He ultimately has given his life to accomplish that goal he set back in 1989 when he retired.