Tennis star Naomi Osaka is launching a media production company in partnership with The SpringHill Company, a media conglomerate created by Lebron James.
The production company, called Hana Kuma, will produce scripted and nonfiction content, starting with a New York Times documentary about Patsy Mink, the first woman of color elected to U.S. Congress, according to a press release. The announcement says Hana Kuma will highlight “empowering” and “culturally specific” stories.
“There has been an explosion of creators of color finally being equipped with resources and a huge platform,” Osaka said in the release. “In the streaming age, content has a more global perspective. You can see this in the popularity of television from Asia, Europe and Latin America that the unique can also be universal. My story is a testament to that as well.”
The SpringHill Company, founded by NBA star James and business partner Maverick Carter, will provide production and strategic resources to Hana Kuma, the release said. Hana Kuma also has partnerships with crypto exchange platform FTX and health platform Modern Health.
In May, Osaka launched an athlete representation agency called Evolve.
Here are some of the reactions from Kenyans;
the phrase “hana kuma” means “[she is] without a vagina” in kiswahili, the language spoken in east and central africa (and oman). she will need to change the name of her media company i guess? https://t.co/ak1a93yVbr
— khalifa said #PALESTINE 🇵🇸 ☭🌹 (@ThatBoyKhalifax) June 21, 2022
Imagine working at Osaka's company as a reporter and always ending your story with "Njung'e Kang'ethe, Hana Kuma, Nairobi" 😂
— G (@RealGich) June 21, 2022
"Hana Kuma"🤣 Swahili speakers let's not tell them!! https://t.co/pekO1cwZz6
— MPORA Ⓜ️🅾️SES🎾🇺🇬🇵🇸 (@MosesMpora1) June 21, 2022
I saw "Hana Kuma" trending at night and thought it's another protest by Kenyan women. Kumbe it's a company 🤣
— Real Lisomo (@Real_Lisomo) June 21, 2022
https://twitter.com/hiremep1s/status/1539338294328283139
