Jahmani Swanson, plays basketball for the Harlem Globe Trotters in New York and has become an internet sensation as he achieved his dreams of becoming a basketball star despite being born with dwarfism. Jahmani, is also known as Mani Love and ‘mini Michael Jordan’ as he measures just 4’5”.
Whilst in the Midlands he will be motivating children to celebrate their differences. His visit will endorse the writing of local author Kristina Gray, whose children’s story ‘Strong and Mighty Max’, features a character who was born with achondroplasia, the same form of dwarfism as Jahmani. The book encourages children to ‘dream big’ and to be kind to others who are born different. The moral lesson is that the size of your heart is what matters and not your physical height.
Kristina Gray’s son was also born with achondroplasia and attends, St Gabriel’s C of E Academy in Houlton, Rugby. She is excited that local primary school children are getting the opportunity to meet a global star.
“Jahmani’s visits to Rugby and Coventry will encourage children to dream big, whatever challenge or difference they may face. Just seeing Mani achieve his dreams at playing basketball against all the odds in very motivating for young people. It is also so important to encourage children to have a growth mindset and the value of kindness, especially with the rise of mental health issues young people face. My hope is that this message will be far reaching and I am so thrilled that edition two of Strong and Mighty Max alongside the #choosekindaward is being placed in 36 primary schools across Coventry and Warwickshire” (Kristina Gray, Author of Strong and Mighty Max.)
Jahmani will be based at St Gabriel’s Academy Houlton on the 13th November to run basketball workshops with the children and to help launch a #choosekind award for local primary schools across Coventry and Warwickshire. He will also be at Broad Heath Primary School for the day on the 14th of November to inspire children to ‘dream big’ and to celebrate their differences.
To watch Mani Love’s latest Instagram video, click here.
