Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The Takeaway speaks to NBA legend and author Kareem Abdul-Jabbar about how he’s managed to find success in such a wide range of professional fields.

The writer and former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talks about his latest essay collection, "Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White."

The new documentary “On the Shoulders of Giants” tells the story of the Harlem Rens, an all-black basketball team that played in New York at the height of the Harlem Renaissance cultural explosion. Guest host (and secret sports blogger) Christian McBride talks with two people behind the film, NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and composer Bill Cunliffe, about overlap between two golden eras of sports and the arts.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a jack of all trades — and a master of each. During his 20 year NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, he won six NBA championships and a record six regular season MVP Awards. He also made a big splash as an actor, debuting in Bruce Lee's "Game of Death" and making notable cameos in films like "Airplane!." And now, he's the author of "What Color Is My World?," a book for children about African-American inventors.

Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was on the Lopate Show recently to discuss his latest book for children; his work with the State Department, promoting eduction; and his new documentary. He also revealed that he's a fan of Indian food!

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all time leading scorer, talks about his career in basketball, his advocacy work, and his new children’s book, What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors. It looks at some of the black inventors who have made a difference in people’s lives and in the world.