Nominations Open for the 2023 ESPN Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award

April 14, 2023

As part of the prestigious 2023 ESPYS Awards presented by ESPN, the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award will once again honor those who, inspired by Billie Jean King’s legacy, are also leading change. It is awarded to US high school and college-aged students who are using the power of sports to improve their communities. Honorees of the Award — which was created in 2019 — will be recognized during the televised special on July 12, 2023, and will receive either a one-time $10,000 college academic scholarship or direct a grant to an eligible nonprofit aligned with their work. Applications are open through May 12.

“Billie Jean King's unwavering courage and determination to push boundaries and fight for gender equality has inspired me to never settle for less than what I deserve. Through this award I was given opportunities to connect with people I would have otherwise have never met. One of the biggest things I got out of this was mentorship and the chance to meet other youth with similar mindsets to my own,” said Noor Abukaram, a previous Billie Jean King Youth Leader Honoree. 

This year’s edition of the Award celebrates Billie Jean King’s 80th birthday, the 50th anniversary of Billie Jean King founding the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and her victory in the Battle of the Sexes match. To mark these milestones, ESPN will recognize young people from across the United States who are making a positive difference in their communities through the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award.

Nominations are now open and can be made by youth directly or by nonprofits in partnership with their youth. For more information, please sign up to attend a short webinar to find out more and to ask any questions. The webinar will take place May 4 at 8:30 pm ET / 5:30 pm PT. Click here to register for the webinar. 

If you’re not sure if this is for you, see how the 2022 honorees were celebrated at last year’s ESPYS and what you could experience in 2023:

“Being honored with the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award means so much more than recognition — as a result of graceful inclusion, I have become a part of a family of leaders for life,” said Adom Appiah, a previous Billie Jean King Youth Leader Honoree. 

In order to be eligible, applicants must be a US Citizen, US national or permanent resident 25 years of age or under. Applicants must also demonstrate how they use the power of sport as a catalyst for change within their local school or community and show how they made a positive impact.

Click here to apply or to find out more information on the Award, including the in-depth eligibility criteria.

This year, the Award winners will receive some incredible opportunities:

• Be honored during the ESPYS, joining the incredible winners and honorees of other prestigious awards, including the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.
• Receive either a one-time $10,000 college academic scholarship or direct a grant to an eligible nonprofit aligned with their work.
• Participate in experiential learning and development programs over the next year to receive mentoring and leadership coaching, while engaging with senior leaders in the sport industry and attending sport-for-development workshops.
• Join the award’s alumni program — a powerful network of young leaders using the power of sports to create social good in their communities.
  
  Applications close May 12 at 11:59 pm ET. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].