Press
Points Of Light Honors Changemakers in Detroit at Annual Conference on Volunteering and Service
Recognizing Muhammad Ali and other passionate leaders who are committed to civic service & engagement
Points of Light awarded three inspirational changemakers from around the country with the Daily Point of Light Award at the 2016 Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service. Among the awards was a posthumous recognition of the late Muhammad Ali, Olympic professional boxer and world champion humanitarian, activist and philanthropist. Lonnie Ali, his wife, accepted the Daily Point of Light award in his honor.
Daily Point of Light awards were also given to recognize Yara Shahidi, who is the co-star of the hit TV show “Black-ish,” and a scholar and philanthropist. Veronika Scott, CEO of The Empowerment Plan, also received the award for her innovative design of a coat that transforms into a sleeping bag to provide shelter to the homeless and, through its production, provide jobs to homeless parents in Detroit. They join nearly 6,000 honorees since the award’s creation.
“In unique and powerful ways, each of these individuals has changed hearts and minds, and lives building more vibrant and compassionate communities around the world,” said Tracy Hoover, CEO, Points of Light. “Their passion and dedication will always be recognized as bright points of light.”
Point of Light Awards are given five days a week to honor individuals and groups creating meaningful change in communities, often providing long-term solutions to social problems. President George H. W. Bush was the first president in American history to institute a daily presidential recognition program from the White House. In 2013, the 5,000th award was presented at a special ceremony at the White House with President Barack Obama and President George H. W. Bush co-presenting. Today, Points of Light awardees still receive a signed certificate and letter from President Bush. In 2014, this nonpartisan award was adopted by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom where over 500 British citizens have now been recognized for their extraordinary volunteer efforts.
About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across more than 30 countries and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
About the Conference on Volunteering and Service
Points of Light’s Conference on Volunteering and Service is the world’s largest service-related convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders. With The UPS Foundation and JPMorgan Chase as the title sponsors, the 2016 Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service was held June 27 – June 29 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. For more information, go to www.volunteeringandservice.org and follow us at #ServiceUnites or on Facebook.
“In unique and powerful ways, each of these individuals has changed hearts and minds, and lives building more vibrant and compassionate communities around the world,” said Tracy Hoover, CEO, Points of Light. “Their passion and dedication will always be recognized as bright points of light.”