Dwyane Wade said when he was 7 years old, if he ever became famous, the first thing he’d do is use his celebrity to give back to his old neighborhood in Chicago.
In 2003, the same year he was drafted, he started the Wade’s World Foundation to serve at risk communities in Milwaukee, South Florida and Chicago. Wade’s World promotes literacy, health and fatherhood through youth summer camps, academic scholarships, community service programs.
His work through his foundation was honored Sunday night at the BET Awards as he was awarded the 2013 Humanitarian Award.
Dwyane Wade, affectionately known as D. Wade, has established himself as one of the most well-known figures in sports. Currently in the 2013 NBA playoffs, Wade consistently proves his athleticism and prowess on the court and continues to be a role model to people of every generation. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, he founded the Wade's World Foundation in 2003, which provides educational support in the focus area of literacy, health, and mentor/fatherhood initiatives to youth in underserved communities primarily in Chicago, Milwaukee, and the South Florida region. In 2010, he co-founded with former teammate Alonzo Mourning the "Athlete's Relief Fund for Haiti," which raised over $1 million for relief efforts due to the earthquake. Wade is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of fatherhood. In 2011, he was appointed to President Obama's Fatherhood Task Force and this past year became a New York Times best-selling author of A Father First: How My Life Became Bigger Than Basketball.
Dwyane Wade joins a distinguished list of BET Awards Humanitarian recipients who have been honored for their philanthropic efforts toward charitable causes including Reverend Al Sharpton, Steve Harvey, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Wyclef Jean, Quincy Jones, Don Cheadle, Harry Belafonte, Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington, Danny Glover, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Muhammad Ali.
This year the activity and excitement expands with the first ever BET Experience at L.A. LIVE! This three-day festival filled with comedy, gospel and soulful music concerts, seminars, film screenings, "106 & PARK" tapings and so much more will build anticipation for the finest BET Awards show yet.
I haven't been a huge fan of the BET Awards in years. For the past three years the same artist has been winning the same awards every time and blah blah blah. This year, I decided to chance it and look into it more and see what's new, of course the same artist was winning like they do every year, but something else drew my attention. Right when I was about to turn, I saw the introduction for the Humanitarian Award for Dwyane Wade. I was so inspired about his story. I remember thinking to myself over and over, "Wow he is amazing!" He is exactly what I want to become when I become successful really soon. I always wanted to give back and be able to help not only myself, but the community. I wasn't raised in the best environment and lord knows I've been through hell and still going through it, but most importantly I know that this will all pay off in the long run. Being that person doesn't forget where they came from is honored, respected, role models, and most importantly greatly appreciated. Although, I am not from Chicago, but I can say that Dwyane Wade has done something for me and that was "inspiration". He doesn't need to give me money or help me out in order for me to acknowledge his strength. He did exactly what he said he would do since he was seven and that I admire that so much.
[If you haven't tuned into the BET Awards make sure you watch it because it was really a good show and if your a Charlie Wilson fan you will miss out on a great tribute.....xoxo......]
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