Updates

The NFL and its clubs today announced the 2024 Inspire Change Changemakers who have gone above and beyond in their pursuit of social justice in their communities. Now in its third year, the Changemakers are community leaders nominated by clubs for making an impact in their communities across Inspire Change’s four focus areas: education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform.

This year’s Changemakers include entrepreneurs, community leaders, activists, and advocates who will be recognized and celebrated for their work – as individuals or as part of a community organization – before kickoff during the League’s annual Inspire Change Weeks during weeks 15 and 16. They will also each receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, paid directly to a non-profit organization of their choice.

“The NFL and Inspire Change take pride in recognizing the incredible efforts of these 32 Changemakers who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of those around them,” said Anna Isaacson, Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility. “Their dedication, compassion, and remarkable achievements inspire us all and serve as a powerful reminder of the impact one dedicated person can make in their community.”

This year’s Changemakers include:

• Roberto Del Real – nominated by the Arizona Cardinals for his work with Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), Del Real has worked with CPLC as the Director of Community Services, working to improve the quality of life for seniors, youth, and families. 

• Amy Ard – nominated by the Atlanta Falcons for her work with Motherhood Beyond Bars, under Ard’s leadership as Executive Director, the organization has expanded its programs to provide holistic family support to nearly every infant born to incarcerated women in Georgia.

• Brittany Young – nominated by the Baltimore Ravens for her work with B-360. Young is shifting perspectives around Baltimore’s dirt bike culture and using dirt bikes as a way to introduce young people to educational and career opportunities in STEM fields, end the cycle of poverty, disrupt the prison pipeline, and strengthen the community. 

• Dave Rust – nominated by the Buffalo Bills for his work with Say Yes Buffalo. As Founding Director and CEO, Rust works to eradicate barriers to educational and career attainment for Buffalo students, from cradle-to-career. Under his leadership, Say Yes Buffalo has raised $90 million to support a postsecondary scholarship for all graduates of Buffalo public and charter high schools. 

• Ericia Turner – nominated by the Carolina Panthers for her work as Executive Director of Athletics for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. With 25 years of service, Turner has championed initiatives that improve education, economic opportunity, and police-community relations. As principal of Rocky River High School, her innovative “Restorative Circles” program reduced suspensions by nearly 50% and improved teacher retention. Turner also launched the nation’s only district-wide Athlete Student Advisory Council and led Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to become the first district to adopt girls’ flag football. 

• Janice Jackson – nominated by the Chicago Bears for her work with Hope Chicago. As CEO, Jackson leads the nonprofit in providing debt-free college scholarships and support for students and their parents, helping raise over $50 million since 2021. Under her leadership, Hope Chicago has impacted 4,000 families and increased college enrollment rates by over 30% at partner high schools.

• Christie Kuhns – nominated by the Cincinnati Bengals for her work with the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO). As President and CEO, Kuhns advances economic equity and social justice by training individuals for thriving careers, building wealth-generating businesses, and developing the next generation of leaders. Since 2022, she has worked with ULGSO to impact civil rights and justice across Greater Cincinnati.

• Sheila Mason – nominated by the Cleveland Browns for her service to Northeast Ohio communities and law enforcement. As the retired Chief of Police for Woodmere Village, Mason spent over four decades advancing community-police relations and mentoring youth. As the first woman elected Sergeant-at-Arms for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, she helped establish Conversations for Change, a program fostering dialogue between youth and police to build understanding. 

• Christina Melton Crain – nominated by the Dallas Cowboys for her work with Unlocking Doors. As the founder and CEO of Unlocking Doors, Crain works to deliver comprehensive support for individuals transitioning out of incarceration. Since 2010, her model has achieved a 92% success rate in reducing recidivism, serving over 1,000 clients annually across Texas. She also founded the GO KIDS program, which breaks generational cycles of incarceration by supporting the children of offenders. 

• Dr. Dedrick Sims – nominated by the Denver Broncos for his work with the Sims-Fayola Foundation. As Founder and CEO, Sims addresses systemic inequities to improve outcomes for over 12,000 young men of color and trains 5,000 youth service professionals. Under his leadership, the foundation runs key programs, including career exploration, leadership academies, and support for boys and young men of color in partnership with My Brother’s Keeper Denver. 

• Alycia Meriweather – nominated by the Detroit Lions for her work with Detroit Public Schools Community District. As Deputy Superintendent, Meriweather drives innovation to meet students' and teachers' needs. In 2023, she partnered with the Lions to train 400 faculty in CPR and AED use and exposed over 2,000 students to NFL Draft activities, all while mentoring and supporting students through life’s challenges.

• Mai J. Lo Lee – nominated by the Green Bay Packers for her dedication to inclusion and community building. With 16 years leading multi-ethnic student affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Lo Lee now advances equity at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services while serving on boards like Wisconsin Public Radio and Toward One Wisconsin, helping to foster representation at every level.

• Andre Walker – nominated by the Houston Texans for his commitment to student-athletes as Houston Independent School District’s Executive Director of Athletics. Walker oversees programs for 20,000 athletes and championed the Texans’ Girls Flag Football initiative, now the largest in Texas, ensuring greater access to sports for girls across the city.

• Tiffany Hamilton – nominated by the Indianapolis Colts for her work with the Indy Steelers Youth Football Team. After losing her husband, Coach Richard “Nell” Hamilton, to gun violence, she stepped up to honor his legacy. Hamilton has expanded the Steelers' impact, providing safe spaces, mentorship, and community programs that build resilience and opportunity for youth in Indianapolis.

• Mia L. Jones – nominated by the Jacksonville Jaguars for her work with Agape Family Health. As CEO, Jones works to advance health equity in Jacksonville, expanding care access through innovative programs like Mama Thrive, a multicultural maternal telehealth initiative. As a former Florida legislator, Jones has strengthened partnerships to provide uninsured patients with critical care and fostered collaborations that uplift community health and well-being.

• Kisa Caruthers – nominated by the Kansas City Chiefs for her work with Jackson County CASA. An engineer at Burns & McDonnell, Caruthers has dedicated six years to CASA, where she currently serves as Board Chair. Under her leadership, CASA partnered with the Chiefs Charity Game, raising over $430,000 to support children in foster care. Her efforts aim to ensure 100% of children in foster care receive advocacy services by 2025.

• Johnny Dominguez – nominated by the Las Vegas Raiders for his impact as CEO of Leaders In Training. Dominguez is committed to ​​advancing educational equity and leadership development for Latino youth and helps create pathways for first-generation students to succeed in college and beyond. A former college counselor and first-generation graduate himself, he leverages his experiences to expand postsecondary access and foster academic success across Southern Nevada.

• Nykauni Tademy – nominated by the Los Angeles Chargers for her decades-long dedication to youth sports. As an Executive Board Member for the Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL), Tademy has expanded opportunities for inner-city youth, including founding the Snoop Special Stars program for individuals with disabilities. She also helped launch the Snoop & Housh Youth Flag League in partnership with the Chargers Impact Fund, providing accessible sports programming to underserved K-8 students. 

• Sherri Francois – nominated by the Los Angeles Rams for her work as Chief Impact Officer of SoLa Impact and Executive Director of the I CAN Foundation. Francois spearheaded South LA’s first esports and tech learning center, offering critical education and career programs for underserved Black and Brown youth. Through the I CAN Foundation, she helps provide resources to break cycles of poverty and close the digital divide. 

• Jowharah Sanders – nominated by the Miami Dolphins for her leadership in youth mentoring and advocacy through NVEEE (National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment). A champion for bullying prevention, suicide awareness, and LGBTQ+ youth, Sanders has partnered with the Dolphins’ Football UNITES program to promote education, inclusion, and mental health support, transforming lives in her community.

• Mylassia Shannon Tenner – nominated by the Minnesota Vikings for her work with Justice Page Middle School. Tenner has dedicated over 25 years to fostering educational equity and uplifting youth in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including as Principal of Justice Page Middle School. A former Page Grant recipient through the Page Education Foundation, founded by Vikings legend Alan Page, Tenner has championed access to higher education for students of color. 

• Mary Chin – nominated by the New England Patriots nominated for her work with the Asian American Civic Association. As Executive Director, Chin leads efforts to empower Boston’s Asian American community through education, advocacy, and workforce development. A clinical social worker and former Director of Social Work at Boston Medical Center, Chin also serves on the Board of Urban College of Boston.

• Claire Jecklin – nominated by the New Orleans Saints for her work with the New Orleans Career Center. As Founding CEO, Jecklin equips high school and adult trainees with career preparation and technical skills in high-demand fields like health, engineering, and digital media. Since 2017, her leadership has made NOCC a premier provider of workforce development, offering students industry-based credentials, work-based learning, and community connections to excel in careers and life.

• Jenny DePaul – nominated by the New York Giants for her work with Project Kind. As founder and CEO, DePaul is committed to addressing homelessness through direct aid and compassionate care. Her work in Newark, NJ, inspired the Giants' Worthy of Love event, where unhoused individuals receive personal care, meals, and resources. 

• Sultana Ocasio – nominated by the New York Jets for her work with the Community Kitchen & Food Pantry at Food Bank For New York City. Ocasio has been fighting hunger for over a decade, innovating programs to address food insecurity and immigrant needs. Since joining Food Bank in 2018, she has led efforts to serve 1.3 million New Yorkers in need, prioritizing dignity and respect for those she serves. Now serving as Director, she is also a Faith Ambassador for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and serves on the Board of Reaching All HIV+ Muslims in America.  

• Angelique Hinton – nominated by the Philadelphia Eagles for her work with PA Youth Vote. As Executive Director, Hinton is dedicated to elevating student voices and empowering youth in Pennsylvania. After transitioning from a 20-year career in financial services, she focused on organizing her community, leading youth voter registration efforts during the 2020 election cycle. Through PA Youth Vote, she works to ensure young people have the tools to advocate for themselves and engage civically.

• Carolina Frantz – nominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers for her work as BSN-AID Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Duquesne University School of Nursing. Frantz has dedicated herself to improving health access and social equity. She has supplied over 14,000 pairs of socks to the unhoused community since 2023 and actively partners with local organizations to combat homelessness. Frantz is the founding president of the Western Pennsylvania Area Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and has a career in nursing leadership, including roles at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 

• Dr. Harry Edwards – nominated by the San Francisco 49ers for his work advocating for social justice. Edwards has been an advocate for athlete activism and racial equality since the 1960s. His work has influenced countless athletes to use their platforms for social change. Edwards has mentored young athletes and served on various civil rights boards, strengthening communities through advocacy and leadership in social justice.

• Michelle Merriweather – nominated by the Seattle Seahawks for her work with the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. As President and CEO, Merriweather advocates for Black communities' housing, education, health, and workforce development. A former successful sales executive, she is also a founding member of the Black Future Co-Op Fund. Michelle’s leadership has earned her numerous awards, including the Puget Sound Business Journal's Woman of Influence award. 

• LaKendria Robinson – nominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for her work with the Orenda Collective. As Founder and CEO, Robinson spearheads the leadership advisory group focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in helping businesses implement impactful DEI strategies. Her work connects minority, women, veteran, and LGBTQ-owned businesses to resources and opportunities that drive growth, including fundraising for microgrants. 

• RoKeisha Bryant – nominated by the Tennessee Titans for her work with Pathways Kitchen. As Executive Director, Bryant helps provide job training, work opportunities, and support to justice-impacted youth in Nashville. The organization empowers youth aged 15-19 who have been impacted by the juvenile justice system by offering second chances and a pathway to success through culinary training and consistent employment, creating generational change in the community.

• Paula Thompson – nominated by the Washington Commanders for her work with Voices for a Second Chance. Thompson advocates for individuals reintegrating into society after incarceration. With over 50 years of experience, she has worked to reduce recidivism and increase access to housing, employment, and social services for formerly incarcerated people, empowering them to rebuild their lives and ensuring they have the resources needed for successful reentry.

Starting today through December 25, Inspire Change Weeks will showcase the NFL’s ongoing commitment to social justice, spotlighting impactful stories from individuals and organizations nationwide. Since 2017, the NFL has contributed $375+ million to empower more than 650 local non-profits, 1,950 player and Legend matching grants, and more than 50 national grant partners in support of social justice.

For more information about Inspire Change, visit nfl.com/InspireChange