The Service to America Leadership Award recognizes individuals and organizations responsible for improving the lives of others through extraordinary public service. It is considered NABLF’s highest individual honor.
Multi-hyphenate entertainer Wayne Brady will receive the 2023 Service to America Leadership Award. Brady has been a friend of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which is dedicated to supporting families with sick children in their time of need. He also starred in a benefit concert presentation of “Ratatouille the Musical” that raised over $1 million for The Actors Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, Brady has helped raise awareness and funds for a number of charities and foundations, including Alzheimer's Association, Aid For AIDS, Comic Relief, Foundation Fighting Blindness, K.I.S. Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Point Foundation, UNICEF, United Negro College Fund and Visual Snow Initiative.
Esteemed chef, bestselling author, educator and humanitarian José Andrés received the Service to America Leadership Award from the NAB Leadership Foundation. Through his nonprofit World Central Kitchen (WCK), Andrés leads humanitarian efforts to feed communities in need and reduce food insecurity during times of crisis. Andrés and his team have served fresh meals to those affected by man-made and natural disasters across six continents, including serving over 3.6 million meals to those affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017.
Award winning entertainer, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian Patti LaBelle received the 2022 Service to America Leadership Award from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Leadership Foundation. LaBelle’s work as a humanitarian is legendary. She is an advocate for adoption, foster care, Big Sisters and the United Negro College Fund, among many other initiatives.
Award-winning artist Lin-Manuel Miranda received the 2021 Service to America Leadership Award from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Leadership Foundation for his advocacy and support for the Latino community and the arts.
Award-winning artist John Legend received the 2019 Service to America Leadership Award from the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF) for his advocacy efforts to promote social justice and equality.
Multi-platinum country music star Sara Evans received the 2018 Service to America Leadership Award for her ongoing philanthropic efforts surrounding disaster relief, music education, and various children’s charities.
Renowned musician and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi received the 2017 Service to America Leadership Award from the NAB Leadership Foundation for his ongoing efforts to combat poverty and homelessness.
The 2016 Service to America Leadership Award will be presented to award-winning actress and humanitarian Sharon Stone to recognize her extensive record of philanthropy, including her ongoing commitment to raising awareness and support of AIDS research, prevention and treatment.
Renowned actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise received the 2015 Service to America Leadership Award to honor his ongoing commitment to raising awareness and support for veterans. In 2011, he formed the Gary Sinise Foundation with the mission to honor defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs that inspire and strengthen communities.
Renowned singer and songwriter and 12-time Grammy Award winner, Paul Simon was recognized for his decades-long commitment to providing healthcare to underserved children across the country through the Children’s Health Fund.
Legendary singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Stevie Wonder was recognized for his important work as an activist and United Nations Messenger of Peace and for his dedication to helping people with disabilities, as well as families in need.
Best known for her award-winning career in film, on stage and on television, Glenn Close is also a dedicated advocate working to eliminate the discrimination and stigma associated with mental illness. In 2009, she participated in the launch of Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M) to support this mission.
For more than 30 years, Jeff Bridges has been dedicated to the cause of ending childhood hunger. In 1983, he founded the End Hunger Network, a nonprofit organization that works to spread awareness and generate action to end U.S. childhood hunger.
Through the support of volunteers and donors, the Starkey Hearing Foundation conducts hearing missions across the U.S. and around the globe, fitting more than 100,000 hearing aids annually for children and adults in need.
Over its first six seasons, 143 families received “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” homes. In addition to changing the lives of the families featured on the show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” also involved viewers in making a difference by encouraging volunteer service and charitable giving in their local communities.
Entertainment industry icon Quincy Jones was recognized for his humanitarian work in establishing the Listen Up Foundation and the We Are the Future Foundation, both dedicated to helping underprivileged youth.
Legendary rock superstar Sir Elton John received the Service to America Leadership award for his philanthropic work in raising more than $125 million in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
President Bill Clinton was honored for his dedication to global humanitarian relief efforts through the William J. Clinton Foundation which focuses on: health security; economic empowerment; leadership, development and citizen service; and racial, ethnic and religious reconciliation.
For more than 30 years, American-born Queen Noor has been an international humanitarian activist and an outspoken voice on world peace and justice. She has worked closely with the United Nations and international organizations to address global challenges.
The Honorable Nancy G. Brinker, founder of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Komen Race for the Cure, received the 2004 Service to America Leadership Award.
In February 2001, Mrs. Bush launched her “Ready to Read, Ready to Learn” education initiative with two major goals: early childhood cognitive development and teacher preparedness and recruitment.
The Honorable Rudolph Giuliani became a symbol of the strength of the people of New York City in the wake of 9/11. At one of the most difficult moments in American history, the remarkable leadership of Mayor Giuliani and the extraordinary heroism of his fellow New Yorkers restored faith in the ideals that are so vital to a free society.
Muhammad Ali was recognized for his lifelong commitment to world peace, tolerance and human rights, and for his efforts to establish to Muhammad Ali Center which serves as a legacy to the life and ideals of Ali.
President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter were honored for the work of the Carter Center, which seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.
Mrs. Reagan’s public service began soon after her husband became Governor of California in 1967 and continued through her time as America’s First Lady including the “Just Say No” campaign. After leaving the White House, Mrs. Regan helped create the Alzheimer’s Association Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute.
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