Savannah James Is Outside! Things You Didn’t Know About LeBron’s Most Important Accomplishment
Savannah James is that woman. She adds value to whatever room she walks into. She’s regal but perfectly connected to the culture. She’s unimpressed with fame despite leading a home of three already-famous kids and a husband who happens to be one of the greatest NBA players of all time. And she has one of the most beautiful love stories in the world of sports today.
Who Is LeBron James' Wife? What To Know About Savannah James
As we all know, Savannah is married to megastar LeBron James and has been for a near decade (the couple has been together for nearly two decades altogether). She has stood by his side since they were in high school and cheered him all the way to the history books, where he now resides as the all-time leading scorer—a career accomplishment that will take generations to break.
But even with her being the leading lady of arguably one of the most famous men in history, Savannah likes to keep a low profile. Every now and then, she’ll pop out and collectively break the internet, as she does so effortlessly, which honestly, is one of my favorite things about scrolling Beyoncé’s internet, but outside of what she shows us, we don’t know much about her. Until now.
Here are some fun facts about LeBron’s greatest accomplishment:
Savannah James Is More Than LeBron James' Wife. Here's What To Know About Her:
1. Savannah James made the first move to go on a date with LeBron James.
Savannah resides on the top level of bosses, and this even rings true in her relationship. She and LeBron were set up by a mutual friend, who told her that LeBron asked for her number, to which she simply replied "nope," and said she would take his number instead. She shared the story with Cleveland Magazine in 2018, explaining that she ended up texting him one day out of boredom.
“One day I’m sitting around—I was probably bored or something—and I’m like, ‘Oh, I forgot! I have this number for this guy that I can call. He seemed interested, so let’s see.’”
After reaching out, LeBron took Savannah on their first date to Outback Steakhouse, and by her prom, she was pregnant with LBJ Jr, whom the couple welcomed in 2004.
2. LeBron James credits Savannah James for his success.
This season, the world watched as LeBron officially became the all-time leading scorer in the NBA, a record previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But if you ask him, all credit goes to his wife, who he revealed that without her support, none of it would be possible, then ultimately giving her credit for the record and calling her the MVP. *swoons*
And although Savannah obviously appreciates the gesture, she says that LeBron going out of his way to shout her out, is all too common, telling Cleveland Magazine, “He is truly a king to his queen, if you will. He treats me with so much respect—I mean, it’s hard to not love him, with the way that he is with me and the kids and his mom and just everyone who’s around him. He’s a really, really humble guy for everything that he has and everything that he’s done.”
"You did that s--t." 😂
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 8, 2023
Savannah gave LeBron his flowers last night 💐
(via @Banks) pic.twitter.com/6zQueczcdO
3. Beyoncé AND Jay-Z performed at Savannah and LeBron's wedding.
The two love birds met in high school. Savannah was a cheerleader at a rival high school when LeBron James saw her at a football game. Twelve years later, the couple decided to tie the knot in an ultra-extravagant ceremony in San Diego in front of 200 friends, family, and stars from the sports world bearing witness.
According to US Weekly, the three-day celebration was reported to have set the couple back a whopping $10 million and featured a surprise performance of "Crazy in Love" by the Carters.
4. Savannah James opened a smoothie shop in 2013.
When LeBron ‘’took his talents to South Beach,” Savannah decided to get her entrepreneur coins and opened a uber popular smoothie shop called The Juice Spot. While her shop was constantly busy, the endeavor closed in January 2016, due to her busy schedule, and ultimately due to the family relocating to Cleveland.
5. And she is committed to giving back.
The Jameses have been focused on philanthropic work in their hometown of Akron, Ohio as well as in every city they have called home during LeBron’s 20-year NBA career.
In 2017, Savannah launched her mentorship program, Women of Our Future through the LeBron James Foundation, which provides one-on-one counseling and support for young women in Akron.
She also ran an annual ‘I PROMise Makeover’ event that gives Akron students the opportunity to select free prom clothes, shoes, and accessories. This event is tied to her husband’s school, which she is also heavily involved in
Flex.
6. Savannah James has a blog and YouTube channel with the couple's 8-year-old daughter Zhuri, called All Things Zhuri.
Everyone’s favorite James family member is made for TV, which Savannah took notice of and decided to create a channel alongside her adorable 8-year-old daughter, Zhuri.
The series, titled All Thinks Zhuri, gives us a rare glimpse of our favorite family through the lens of the true boss of the family, whether Zhuri is hanging with dad, showing off her haircare routine, or hosting movie night screenings, although Savannah generally leaves most of the hosting up to her mini-me.
Savannah previously toldEssence that when it comes to sharing details of her family life, she does what feels best as she prefers to stay private. “With all the social media outlets, I feel like I have the choice to show you what I want to show you. I have a good time with my kids. I love to turn on music and we all dance in the living room together. But you’ll never see me. I will not post me dancing.”
6. Savannah James knows she has a “dope family.”
Last fall, the James family stopped to pose a few flicks for a spread inVanity Fair alongside her live-in parents and LeBron’s mother, Gloria James. Dressed to the nines, posing in front of classic cars, sitting around the table, or in the pool stunting with retro-chic sunglasses, Savannah served as the real-time creative director of the shoot, marveling at the wealthy, healthy melanated legacy she had created in front of her.
Vanity Fair mentions that she wanted the session to recognize and reflect the bonds underlying the family’s influence, and show the world their center of gravity. She then said what we were all thinking: “Excuse my language, but we a dope family.”
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Emma McIntyre/WireImage
- Savannah James Dishes On Her Children In ‘Vanity Fair’ Interview ›
- LeBron James' Heartfelt Message To Savannah Is The Best Thing You'll See All Damn Day ›
- LeBron & Savannah James Celebrate Their Anniversary & We Love To See It ›
- Savannah James Talks Learning Self-Confidence - xoNecole: Lifestyle, Culture, Love, & Wellness ›
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images