Dwyane Wade Receives the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award at the Second Annual Make Good Famous Summit, Announces Launch of Translatable

Elevate Prize Foundation closes second annual summit by recognizing the NBA Hall of Famer for his support of trans rights and joins the Wade Family Foundation in launching Translatable, a digital platform that will provide a safe space and resources for trans youth and their support systems

MIAMI, May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The Elevate Prize Foundation presented NBA Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Dwyane Wade with the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award today in recognition of his advocacy for the transgender community and for his work with the Wade Family Foundation, an activation lab that responds in real time to issues that touch the family's hearts and minds. Following his acceptance of the award, Dwyane Wade announced the launch of Translatable, a digital platform that will serve as a community safe space for trans youth to express themselves, as well as provide educational tools for their support systems. He shared that the funds from the award would be dedicated to the launch and development of the platform.

Wade accepted the award on stage during the Foundation's second annual Make Good Famous Summit, which gathered activists, changemakers, leaders, and culture-drivers from across the globe to discuss paths to spur collective action and create a more just and equitable world.

"I am honored to accept the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award and share this honor with my daughter, Zaya, who has served as the catalyzing force behind Translatable," said Dwyane Wade. "We hope that Translatable provides our youth with a community to support their growth, mental health, and well-being, and that this space ignites more conversation leading to greater understanding and acceptance."

The Elevate Prize Catalyst Award recognizes prominent individuals who use their influence to inspire social action. To advance their mission and scale their work, recipients receive $250,000 in unrestricted funding, as well as valuable development resources and partnership opportunities. Past recipients of the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award include Michael J. Fox, Matt Damon, and Malala Yousafzai – among others.

"We are honored to present this award to Dwyane Wade and support him and the Wade Family Foundation with the launch of Translatable. Dwyane's tireless dedication to the trans community and racial justice has illuminated the path toward a more inclusive future," said Carolina García Jayaram, CEO of the Elevate Prize Foundation. "By bravely confronting societal norms and advocating for change, Dwyane has not only reshaped perceptions but also inspired countless individuals to be more supportive and to embrace authenticity. Moreover, we commend his decision to announce Translatable in Florida – a place where many might feel a sense of exclusion."

Wade introduced Translatable on-stage during the closing session of the Make Good Famous Summit, in line with the gathering's theme of "Powering Community Through Culture." The session was moderated by stand-up comedian, writer, and actress Phoebe Robinson, well-known for co-creating and co-starring in the hit podcast turned HBO series "2 Dope Queens." Wade shared with Robinson that Translatable will focus on communities of color, help center the most marginalized and emphasize the importance of parents and family. Translatable will also feature community contributions across a variety of mediums, including short stories, artwork and poetry.

Other key speakers at the Summit included Brendan Vaughan, Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company; Edgar Villanueva, Founder and CEO of the Decolonizing Wealth Project; Rebecca Fishman-Lipsey, President and CEO of The Miami Foundation; Wawa Gatheru, Founder and CEO, Black Girl Environmentalist; and Sepideh Moafi, actress and activist.

Additionally, the Summit gathered winners of the Elevate Prize, which recognizes and awards rising activists and social entrepreneurs with resources to raise visibility of their work and multiply their impact to "Make Good Famous." The Elevate Prize winners were also joined by the 2023 Top 10 CNN Heroes, including the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year and Elevate Prize winner Dr. Kwane Stewart of Project Street Vet. Winners of the Elevate Prize GET LOUD Award also participated at the event, representing community-based organizations across the globe championing change who were nominated by the @elevateprize Instagram community for the monthly prize – $25K in unrestricted funding to further their mission and impact. 

About The Elevate Prize Foundation

Founded in 2019 by businessman and philanthropist Joseph Deitch, the Elevate Prize Foundation is a global non-profit that empowers social entrepreneurs and activists by providing them with the resources they need to amplify their impact. The Foundation's signature program is its annual Elevate Prize, which is awarded to 10 or more global leaders tackling pressing issues in innovative ways. The Elevate Prize Catalyst Award, another one of the Foundation's programs, recognizes prominent individuals for their commitment to inspiring global social action and using their influence for the good of humanity. In 2022, the Foundation launched the Elevate Prize GET LOUD Award, a monthly grant to fuel grassroots movements and organizers on the frontlines committed to collective action and building power among communities. For more information, visit www.elevateprize.org and follow @ElevatePrize on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Media Contacts

Erin Mulholland, 484.753.4384, erin.mulholland@edelman.com

Makena Dingwell, 202.873.3401, makena.dingwell@edelman.com  

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SOURCE The Elevate Prize Foundation