Billie Jean King Foundation

The search is on for the?2025 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award! ?? Presented as part of ESPN's prestigious?Sports Humanitarian Awards and ESPYS, this award honors high school and college-aged students who are using the power of sport to uplift their communities and drive meaningful change. The official application opens this Spring, but we have already begun the search for our next youth leaders. In 2025, three national and 20 regional recipients will be awarded charitable grants and receive invaluable skills and tools to support their work to lead through sports. Are you—or do you know—a leader (ages 15-24) using sport to uplift their community and drive change? Connect with us today ?? https://lnkd.in/ekpsFJiu #BJKYLA #SportsHumanitarian #ESPYS #Sports #Leadership #Impact

As the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final unfolded in Sydney, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss were immersed in the historic moment ?? Despite their incredible legacy, King remains humbled by the impact of her work, reflecting on how far women’s sports have come — yet knowing there’s still so much more to achieve. From her pivotal role in Title IX to minority ownership in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sparks, and Angel City, King’s impact spans decades. At 81, her passion remains unwavering, as she continues to push the boundaries for women in sports and beyond. More from Rob Schaefer — https://ow.ly/HHc050UNLJH

HISTORY. Billie Jean King will become the first individual woman athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. ?? ?? The bipartisan legislation has passed the House of Representatives and will be sent to President Joe Biden for signature. The medal, awarded by Congress for distinguished achievements and contributions to society, has previously been given to athletes, including baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente and golfers Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.

Congratulations to Sally Jenkins of The Washington Post on being named the inaugural winner of the Billie Jean King Award for Excellence in Women’s Sports Coverage by The Associated Press Sports Editors and APSE Foundation. Sally was presented with her award ahead of the women’s singles final during the US Open Tennis Championships. Along with the award, Sally will receive a $5,000 grant from the Billie Jean King Foundation, which she has graciously announced will be donated to the Committee to Protect Journalists in the name of Austin Tice. Congratulations once again to Sally and to the other finalists: Candace Buckner, The Washington Post; Sean Gregory, Time; Marisa Ingemi, The San Francisco Chronicle; and Meg Linehan, The Athletic. Thank you, Naila Meyers, Jane McManus, and everyone at APSE and the APSE Foundation, for your incredible support in launching this award program that recognizes outstanding contributions to women's sports journalism. ?? Fred Mullane / Camerawork USA

Thank you, Melinda French Gates for highlighting the power of courage in shaping our lives. Billie Jean King has always believed that courage is the key to breaking barriers and creating lasting change. It’s inspiring to see how this message resonates across generations, as exemplified by Megan Rapinoe. Together, we continue to champion equality, justice, and the courage to stand up for what’s right—on and off our playing fields. #BeBold #MakeHistory https://lnkd.in/dk_VJbJ4

Our Founder the unstoppable #BillieJeanKing sat down with Melinda French Gates for an extremely moving interview series titled "Moments that Make Us". Check out the trailer and look out for the BJK episode on August 6th 2024. #momentsthatmakeus https://lnkd.in/d8H2SUeS

We are so fortunate at BJKF that we get to bear witness and work alongside the fearless leaders who dedicate their lives to changing the world. Darren Walker is the definition of a champion who has inspired countless individuals and communities to dream bigger and strive for a more inclusive and equitable society. His dedication to uplifting marginalized voices and addressing systemic inequities has created a ripple effect of positive change that will be felt for generations to come. He will be dearly missed and leaves behind huge shoes to fill, however, we look forward to supporting and celebrating him in this last chapter at Ford Foundation and all the impact he'll continue to have in the world. #hero #changemaker #legacy https://lnkd.in/d9kxbMZp

Congratulations to the 2024 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award honorees Hannah Smith, Conor Campbell, and Ayanna Shah, who were recognized last week at the Sports Humanitarian Awards and ESPYS in Los Angeles. The award was presented on-stage by ESPYS Host and BJK Foundation Advisory Board Member, Serena Williams. Hannah, Conor, and Ayanna, together with 20 regional award recipients, join an elite alumni network of over 50 extraordinary young leaders since the award's inception in 2019. This year, regional honorees were awarded a $2,500 grant, while national honorees received a $10,000 grant. These funds were provided either as college academic scholarships or directed to non-profits associated with their work. We’re so proud of the tremendous impact BJK Youth Leadership Award honorees are having on their communities. Thank you to ESPN for their commitment to celebrating Billie Jean King’s legacy through this award. To learn more about the award and this year’s honorees, visit the link below. https://lnkd.in/eryC-nxR

?? Don’t miss the ESPYS tonight at 8pm ET! ?? Join us as Conor Campbell, Ayanna Shah, and Hannah Smith are honored with the prestigious Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award. ?? #ESPYS?#YouthLeaders?#BJKYLA #SportsforChange #Leaders #CommunityImpact

In the latest episode of #IdeasAtFord, Billie Jean King speaks with Charles Blow and Owner of the NY LIBERTY, Brooklyn Nets, and Barclays Center Clara Wu Tsai. The Ford Foundation conversation is focused on the surge in popularity in women’s sports, why conversations about equity and pay still need more attention, and how both athletes and fans can work to ensure an equitable future for women’s sports. Watch now ?? : https://lnkd.in/eRT83iS3