GET READY FOR THE 2025 BILLIE JEAN KING YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award (BJKYLA) celebrates youth leaders ages 15 to 24 who, like its namesake, sports icon and equality champion Billie Jean King, are harnessing the power of sports to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.
Awarded each year with a grant as part of ESPN’s prestigious Sports Humanitarian Awards and the ESPYS, BJKYLA honorees have a passion for sports and a commitment to leadership and service. These youth leaders are going above and beyond to support their communities and the next generation – overturning discriminatory legislation affecting student athletes at local and state levels, creating safe spaces to play in challenging environments, and building sports-based programs that are empowering girls and building their confidence, just to name a few.
Meet some of our BJKYLA Honorees
Ally Friedman
2020 Honoree
Hear from Ally!
Adom Appiah
2021 Honoree
Hear from Adom!
Noor Abukaram
2022 Honoree
Hear from Noor!
Does this sound like you or someone you know?
About the Award
The official application opens Spring 2025, 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.
National honorees:
- receive a $10,000 grant which can be awarded as a college academic scholarship or be directed to an eligible non-profit associated with their leadership and service work in sport
- recognized at the summer 2025 ESPYS in Los Angeles, California
Regional honorees:
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- receive a $2,500 grant to support their community leadership work or a college academic scholarship
- have their work and impact promoted through various BJKYLA channels
All honorees:
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- one year leadership development training program led by sport for development experts
- fundraising and curriculum-building resources to support their work
- opportunities to collaborate with and learn from an inspirational network of past BJKYLA honorees
Eligiblity Criteria
All nominees and applicants must be:
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- a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or Permanent Resident between the ages of 15 and 24
- attending high school or an accredited 4-year college or university (graduate students may be considered)
- connected to a registered and verifiable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization associated with their leadership service work in sports
Additionally, academic scholarships will only be considered for applicants who have:
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- demonstrated financial need as verified by their college or university
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Reach Out to Get a Head Start on the 2025 Application!
Please fill out the contact form below for assistance in creating your application. Starting January 2025, nominators and interested youth leaders can receive customized support and access to a BJKYLA team member to answer any questions. You’ll also be the first to know when the 2025 application officially opens. Register your interest today to get on the list.