Dr. Wanda Durant, affectionately known as Mama Durant, and “The Real MVP” is a dynamic leader, advocate, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Her passion is to inspire underserved children, single mothers and communities to move beyond their immediate circumstances and to aim for higher heights in life. 

Dr. Durant is the mother of businessman, Anthony (Tony) Durant; and National Basketball Association (NBA) Champion and 2017 Finals MVP player, Kevin Durant.  After fulfilling her most precious role as a mother and a 20-year career, Dr. Durant became overwhelmed with a long-ignored desire to find her purpose and launched her own non-profit entity, Wanda Durant The Real MVP™ Charity, Inc where she shares her blueprint for parenting that she used to help her children become successful adults.  She also emphasizes to the youth, the importance of them becoming global citizens and cultural diplomats. 

Dr. Durant’s philanthropic outreach through her own The Real MVP™ Charity, Inc, together with the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation (KDCF) and The Durant Center, a national education nonprofit, have immeasurable impact on students from underserved communities empowering them to reach their dreams of a college degree and a career beyond.

Her vigorous advocacy and support extends to numerous regional and national charitable organizations including Single Parents Support Network, Baller Moms, Positive Tomorrows, The Boys & Girls Club of America 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.  One of Dr. Durant’s mantras is “where there is hope there are possibilities”.  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, NBA Cares and others.  She has 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, amongst many others. 

Dr. Durant  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. 

Dr. Durant also serves on the Board of Tigress Financial Partners, the nation’s only disabled and woman-owned investment bank, which is affiliated with  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 philanthropic work.  

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 want.