The actual hardware won’t be handed out for a few weeks yet, but our man Shaq has been told (and the media has announced) that he’s winning another awesome award. Is he living his best life, or what?
Sports and business legend O’Neal has been notified that he’s been named one of this year’s recipients of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year awards, presented annually by the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Regular readers of the ShaqFu Radio blog know all about the big man’s legendary performances in the NBA, and his off-court work as an NBA analyst with TNT’s Inside the NBA. Big Shaq-fans also know that he’s involved with many different charities and community-supporting organizations around the country.
That includes his own Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, which has that huge fundraising party and auction every year in Las Vegas. A lot of the funding raised by that event (called “The Event,” interestingly enough) goes to various Boys and Girls Clubs of America, of which Shaq is a national spokesman and supporter.
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Shaq is also involved in other community fundraising events, most of which are centered on helping local kids programs in recreation and education. O’Neal has talked about his belief in the power of education for years… he says it all dates back to his childhood days in New Jersey, where his mother made sure the young Shaq got his education handled, not just his interest (and talent) for hoops.
The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation was established in 2019. According to the foundation’s own website, it’s all about “creating pathways for underserved youth to help them achieve their full potential. The Foundation works to instill hope and bring about change in communities, collectively shaping a brighter future for our children.”
The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year awards will be officially handed out in a big ceremony in the fall. We’ll be sure to report on that when it happens. The Ali center’s largest annual fundraiser honors people who have dedicated their lives to humanitarianism. The awards honor people in two categories. Seasoned Awards honor people who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to humanitarianism, while the Six Core Principles Awards are presented to young adults 30 years old or younger.
Along with Shaq, several others will be receiving Muhammad Ali Center Awards. Here’s a quick list of other winners:
Alabama attorney Bryan Stevenson will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. A statement from the Ali Center says, “Stevenson is a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated, and the condemned.” Stevenson is the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a human rights organization in Montgomery, Alabama.
Musician Nile Rodgers will receiving the Center’s Global Citizen Award. Rodgers is a famous songwriter, producer, musician and philanthropist. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, he has worked with legends like David Bowie, Madonna and Duran Duran. The Center’s press release says of him: “He’s used his talents, influence and connections to build a bridge between music and philanthropy by participating in numerous historic fundraising efforts, including LIVE AID, We Are The World, ‘We Are Family’ rerecorded after 9/11, and the Concert for Ukraine.”
Huge congrats to our man Shaq… Being recognized (yet again) for helping people and communities around the country. Nice work!