Wanda Durant
Dr. Wanda Durant, affectionately known as “Mama Durant,” is a dynamic leader, advocate, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. As a DMV native, in Prince George’s County, Maryland, she raised her two sons: Anthony “Tony” Durant and Kevin Durant. Through motherhood, Mama Durant realized the importance of community and has made it her life’s mission to inspire the youth and provide them with the right tools to follow their dreams.
She has teamed with several foundations and founded her own non-profit, The Real MVPTM Foundation, Inc., which has done outstanding work throughout the nation. Her vigorous advocacy and support has been extended to numerous regional and national charitable organizations, including Single Parents Support Network, Baller Moms, Positive Tomorrows, The Boys & Girls Club of America, The Salvation Army, NBA Cares and Mothers of Professional Basketball Players.
As a fiery speaker, Dr. Durant has addressed corporate, non-profit, financial, community organizations, faith-based forums, college campuses and youth audiences. She has also been the keynote speaker for diverse audiences, such as J.P. Morgan Chase, the Ford Foundation, The White House United State of Women Summit, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, Thomson Reuters, Brown Brother Harriman (BBH), Flamboyan Foundation and others. She has also been featured in national and international media on CNN, Access Hollywood, ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, Comcast Sports, ABC and CBS, Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show, The Today Show, Tamron Hall and in The New York Times and Washington Post amongst many others.
Dr. Durant also serves on the Board of Tigress Financial Partners, the nation’s only disabled and women-owned investment bank, which is affiliated with the StoneX Group Inc., a Fortune 100 Company. In conjunction with Tigress, Dr. Durant is a catalyst for propelling financial literacy for our country’s most vulnerable women.
Dr. Durant was conferred a distinguished Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bloomfield College in recognition of her achievements in the humanities and for her outstanding humanitarian work. To further highlight her efforts, she shared her life story in the movie “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story” produced by musical artist, television producer and actress Queen Latifah (Dana Owens), which is now available on DVD.
It is Dr. Durant’s passion to guide others to realize that hope is alive inside of them, encourage them to dream, and help them to truly believe they can achieve the future they desire. One of Dr. Durant’s favorite quotes is “where there is hope, there are possibilities.” Through her accomplishments, she has truly earned her title as “The Real MVP.”