Golden State’s Stephen Curry wins NBA’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award for his work advocating for voting rights with Michelle Obama, as well as gender and racial equity in sport, and food scarcity
- Curry was picked over four other finalists – who will all get $25k donations to charities of their choosing. Curry will get an $100k donation to his causes.
- This award was established back in 2021 and is given to players who show ‘dedication to pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission’
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The NBA announced that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was named the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award winner.
Curry, the four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP – was picked based on his work advocating for voting rights, food scarcity in underserved communities, and gender and racial equity in sports.
This award was given to Curry for, ‘his dedication to pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged.’
‘As an athlete, I consistently leverage my platform to amplify advocacy and address the pervasive issue of systemic racism,’ Curry said in a statement.
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‘I firmly believe that we must be vocal both on social media and in real life, taking tangible actions to effect real change in our society and for generations to come.’
The NBA has named Steph Curry the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion
Curry was picked for ‘dedication to pursuing social justice’, including his work for voting rights
Curry is the co-chair of the ‘When We All Vote’ initiative, spearheaded by former First Lady Michelle Obama. The group’s mission is to ‘increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap’.
Additionally, he has provided scholarships for high school athletes and has committed $6million to funding the men’s and women’s golf teams at Howard University – an HBCU.
Curry and his wife Ayesha run the ‘Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation’, which focuses on childhood nutrition and physical activity in the city of Oakland, California – where Golden State used to play before moving to San Francisco.
By winning the award, the NBA is donating $100k to a charity of Curry’s choice – the University of San Francisco Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice.
According to their website, the institute ‘investigates, illuminates, and advances the theory and practice of transformational nonviolence to confront and overcome injustice and systemic violence and contribute to the just resolution of communal conflict.’
Curry has donated millions in scholarships and to launch the golf team at Howard University
He also runs his own ‘Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation’ back in Oakland alongside his wife Ayesha
Curry was named a finalist along with Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, and Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams.
All four of these finalists are receiving $25,000 towards social justice-focused organizations of their choosing.
The committee selecting the winner of the award included Abdul-Jabbar himself as well as representatives from the league and from diversity groups.
Curry is the third winner of this award, joining Reggie Bullock from 2022 and the inaugural winner – the recently retired Carmelo Anthony in 2021.
