Serena Williams to receive Jackie Robinson Sports Award

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion joins Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilma Rudolph and the Harlem Globetrotters as winners of the prestigious award

Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open Image Credit: AI/ Reuters/ Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

February 24, 2023

Tennis legend Serena Williams will add another feather to her cap as the American will receive the Jackie Robinson Sports Award at the NAACP Image Awards this weekend. The awards will be held in Pasadena, California on Saturday, February 25.

The Jackie Robinson Sports Award is given to individuals in sports for their achievements in sport as well as impact outside of their sport in the areas of social justice, civil rights and community involvement.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champions joins Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilma Rudolph and the Harlem Globetrotters as winners of the prestigious award.

“Serena Williams is the quintessential example of Black excellence” – NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson

“Serena Williams is the quintessential example of Black excellence,” NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “From her record-breaking wins on the tennis court to her business acumen to her philanthropic endeavors, she has set the bar for athletes everywhere. We are proud to honor and celebrate her with this year’s Jackie Robinson Sports Award.”

Williams dominated the women’s tennis scene for more than two decades until her decision to step away from the sport last year. Her last tournament came at the US Open last September, capping off a career that included 23 Majors in singles and 16 in doubles.

Outside of tennis, Williams has made a mark in the business world with her fund Serena Ventures, which focuses on early-stage funding for companies. The 41-year-old has also branched into the movie business, serving as an executive producer on the Oscar-winning film “King Richard,” and recently published a children’s book, “The Adventures of Qai Qai”.

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