Past Power of Sport Honorees
2023
Jemele Hill, Excellence in Sport Journalism
- Black Women in Sports Foundation Founders, Tina Sloan Green, Dr. Alpha Alexander, Dr. Nikki Franke, and Linda Greene, Esq, Power of Sport
- Olivia Pichardo, Power of Sport
Eli A. Wolff, Power of Sport
2022
- Natalie Chou, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Justin Hardy (posthumous), Courageous Student-Athlete
- Thaddeus Bullard, Civic Leader
- Jothy Rosenberg, A Hero Among Us
- Tasha Butts, Coach
- Allyson Felix, Barrier Breakers
2021
- Jamarion Styles, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Alyssa Wruble, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Cameron Galloway, Civic Leader
- Chaunte Lowe, A Hero Among Us
- Keanon Lowe, Coach
- 1955 Pensacola Jaycees & Orlando Kiwanis Little League Teams, Barrier Breakers
2020
- Rebel Hayes & Paul Scott, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Gia Hodges, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Renee Hess, Civic Leader
- Carmelo Anthony, A Hero Among Us
- Stephanie Marquardt & James Bailey, Coach
- Chris Nikic, Barrier Breakers
- WNBA, President’s Award for Social Advocacy
2019
- Madeline Banic, Female Courageous Student-Athlete
- Kyle Richard, Male Courageous Student-Athlete
- Chris Norton, A Hero Among Us
- Katelyn Ohashi, Civic Leader
- Chelsea Werner, Barrier Breaker
- Robert Mendez, Coach
2018
- Megan Cunningham, Female Courageous Student-Athlete
- Stoneman Douglas High School Boys Hockey Team, Male Courageous Student-Athletes
- Norma Bastidas, A Hero Among Us
- Rachael Denhollander, A Hero Among Us
- Jordyn Wieber, A Hero Among Us
- Nathan Braaten, Civic Leader
- Taylor Ricci, Civic Leader
- Jen Welter, Barrier Breaker
2017
- Alexis “Lexe” Richards, Female Courageous Student-Athlete
- Jonathan Tybur, Male Courageous Student-Athlete
- Greg Moore, Coach
- Beckham Zobrist, A Hero Among Us
- Bonner Paddock, Civic Leader
- The Black 14 (University of Wyoming), Barrier Breakers
- Cassondra and Aaron Singleton (posthumous), President’s Award
2016
- Bailey Wind, Female Courageous Student-Athlete
- Devon Berry, Male Courageous Student-Athlete
- Acey Shaw, Coach
- Christopher Singleton, A Hero Among Us
- Officer Bobby White, Civic Leader
- T. Urruela, Barrier Breakers
2015
- Lauren Hill (posthumous), Female Courageous Student-Athlete
- Austin Hatch, Male Courageous Student-Athlete
- Any Body Can Youth Foundation, Community Organization
- Shawn Harrington, Coach
- Willie Burton, A Hero Among Us
- Carmen Tarleton, Civic Leader
- 1955 Cannon Street YMCA Little League All-Stars, Barrier Breakers
2014
- Memuna Mansaray McShane, Female Courageous Student-Athlete
- Fabyon Harris, Male Courageous Student-Athlete
- DiKembe Mutombo Foundation, Community Organization
- Jason Beverlin, Coach
- Jack Burleson, A Hero Among Us
- Landon Moore, Civic Leader
2013
- Latipha Cross, Courageous Student-Athlete, Eastern Michigan University
- Anthony Starego, Courageous Student-Athlete, Brick High School (NJ)
- Cross Country For Youth, Reggie McAfee (Founder & Executive Director), Community Organization
- John Kitna, Coach, Lincoln High School
- Kathrine Switzer, Barrier Breaker, Runner/Activist
- Leeronnie Ogletree, A Hero Among Us
- Christina-Taylor Green, President’s Award (posthumous)
- Adonal Foyle, Founder & President, Kerosene Lamp Foundation, Civic Leader
2012
- Drey Mingo, Courageous Student-Athlete, Purdue University
- Paula Heron, Civic Leader
- Tom Walter, Coach, Wake Forest University
- Willie O’Ree, Barrier Breaker, National Hockey League
- Conner and Cayden Long, Heroes Among Us
2011
- Angelica Mealing, Courageous Student-Athlete, University of Central Florida
- Nate Winters, Courageous Student-Athlete, Winter Park High School
- Jeremy Bloom, Wish of Lifetime, Civic Leader
- Chris Creighton, Coach, Drake University
- LeRoy Walker, Barrier Breaker
2010
- Captain Edwin Nicholson, Project Healing Waters, Civic Leader
- Glenn Johnson, Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, Coach
- Charlie Wilks, Emporia High School, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Breanna McMahon, Freedon High School, Courageous Student-Athlete
- The 1946 & 1947 Penn State University Football Teams, Heroes Among Us
2009
- Jake Madonia, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Mallory Holtman, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Liz Wallace, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Ron Hunter, Coach
- Adam Bender, Barrier Breaker
- Sonny Hill, Civic Leader
- Kay Yow, A Hero Among Us (posthumous)
2008
- Martel Van Zant, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Katie Holloway, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Joe Ehrmann, Coach
- The Travis Roy Foundation, Community Organization
- Shamila Kohestani, Barrier Breaker
- Jon “The Blazeman” Blais, A Hero Among Us
2007
- Brittany and AJ Detwiler, Courageous Student-Athletes
- Maurice Torres, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Julie Foudy, Civic Leader
- Jody Conradt, Coach
- Jason Ray (posthumously), A Hero Among Us
- Vivian Stringer, Eddie Robinson Leadership Award
- Johnnie Williams, Barrier Breaker
- The Miracle League, Community Organization
2006
- Kyle Maynard, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Pamela Malcolm, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Myles Brand, Civic Leader
- Floyd Keith, Coach
- Chicago White Sox, Barrier Breaker
- Dick Hoyt, Parent
2005
- Destiny Woodbury, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Sevin “Sevy” Sucurovic, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Macharia Yuot, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Mohammad Rafiq, Courageous Student-Athlete
- David Stern, Civic Leader
2004
- Samantha Eyman, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Justin Allen, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Dionte Hall, Civic Leader
- Priest Holmes, Civic Leader
- Beverly Kearney, Coach
2003
- Stacey Sines, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Jake Porter, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Bob Love, Civic Leader
- Dave Frantz and Derek Dewitt, Coaches
2002
- Maggie Maloy, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Sam Paneno, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Dorothy “Dot” Richardson, Civic Leader
- Willie Davis, Coach
- Perry Reese, Jr. (posthumously), Coach
2001
- Amber Burgess, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Dirceu Hurtado, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Derrick Brooks, Civic Leader
- Herman Boone and William Yoast, Coaches
2000
- Jennifer McClain, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Derrick Thomas (posthumously), Civic Leader
- Darryl Williams, Civic Leader
- Sister Rose Ann Fleming, Athletic Administrator
- Carolyn Peck, Coach
- Dave Sanders (posthumously), Coach
1999
- Pam White, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Gilbert Tuhabonye, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Lewis Katz, Civic Leader
- Raymond Chambers, Civic Leader
- Clarence Underwood, Athletic Administrator
- Pat Summitt, Coach
- Bert Jenkins, Coach
- M. Newton, Lifetime Achievement
1998
- Dwight Collins, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Kathryn Waldo, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Warrick Dunn, Civic Leader
- Dorothy Gators, Coach
1997
- Jodi Norton, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Lawrence Wright, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Reggie White, Civic Leader
- Jack Aker, Coach
1996
- Jennifer Rizzotti, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Michael Watson, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Paul Tagliabue, Civic Leader
- Gene Upshaw, Civic Leader
- David Clark, Coach
- Loretta Claiborne, Torchbearer
- Anita DeFrantz, Torchbearer
- Billy Payne, Torchbearer
1995
- Tanya Hughes-Jones, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Phillip Castillo, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Civic Leader
- Donna Lopiano, Civic Leader
- Geno Auriemma, Coach
- Marian Washington, Coach
1994
- Michele Leary, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Felipe Lopez, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Riddick Bowe, Civic Leader
- Rachel Robinson, Civic Leader
- Joseph Crowley, Athletic Administrator
- Tom Osborne, Coach
- Willie Stewart, Coach
- Vivian Stringer, Coach
1993
- Ryneldi Becenti, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Lawrence Burton, Civic Leader
- Ernestine Bayer, Coach
- Bob Shannon, Coach
- National Youth Sports Program (NYSP), Sport and Social Issues
- Creed Black, Leadership in Athletic Reform
1992
- Annie Boucher, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Eddie Lee Ivery, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Alan Page, Civic Leader
- Judith Sweet, Athletic Administrator
- Joe Paterno, Coach
- Alfreda Harris, Coach
- Bob Hurley, Sr., Parent
- David Lazerson & Richard Green, Sport and Social Issues
1991
- Shane Wood, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Senator Bill Bradley, Civic Leader
- Mike Illitch, Civic Leader
- Jerry Richardson, Coach
- Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Community Service
- National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A), Academic Incentive
1990
- Dave Bing, Civic Leader
- Dick Schultz, Athletic Administrator
- James Ellis, Coach
- National Basketball Association, Academic Incentive
1989
- Mark Brodie, Courageous Student-Athlete
- Ewing Kaufman, Civic Leader
- Mike Sheppard, Coach
- Orange County Public Schools (Florida), School System
- Schaar Mustaf, Parent
1988
- Ross Perot, Civic Leader
- Rob Hamilton, Coach
- Killian High School, School
- Lonise Bias, Parent
Kaia W. Forget
Kaia W. Forgét is the Vice President of Community Impact & DEI for Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride. She joined the front office of the Club in 2015 as the former USL franchise played their first season in Major League Soccer, added a NWSL professional women’s team in 2016, and built a downtown soccer-specific stadium in 2017. She currently leads the Club’s corporate social responsibility strategy which is focused on creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture of belonging across the enterprise and beyond. She also serves as the Executive Director of Orlando Soccer Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to leverage the popularity and reach of professional soccer to support efforts that advance the well-being of youth, promote health and wellness, and assist, encourage, and enrich the lives of those in need in the Central Florida community.
Originally from New Hampshire, Kaia attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY on a Division I soccer scholarship where she earned a B.A. in Communication Studies. After graduation she played one year for the Buffalo FFillies USL W-League team while completing an AmeriCorps service year working in the Buffalo community. Kaia moved to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida where she earned an M.A. in Mass Communication. She spent seven years working for Orange County Public Schools, three years with the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, and seven years at the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership (EBI), a Center of Excellence at Rollins College’s Crummer Graduate School of Business.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for The Institute, Kaia is a Member of the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC), serves on the Corporate Equality Council for The Pride Chamber, is a Special Olympics Florida – Race For Inclusion Committee Member, 100 Women Strong – Central Florida Member, Heart of Florida United Way – Women United Member, and a WISE – Women in Sports & Events – Member & Mentor. Outside of her professional commitments, Kaia has two daughters, enjoys sports and the outdoors, and loves to travel.
