WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders announced Tony Lewis Jr. as their 2023 "Inspire Change Changemaker Award" recipient. He will be recognized during the team's Week 17 inspire change-themed game.
The game will take place on Sunday, Dec. 31, a day when people start to look forward to next year. He will be honored for going above and beyond in his pursuit of social justice.
Lewis Jr. has passionately worked over the last two decades to empower people who were previously incarcerated as they re-enter society, as well as supporting children with incarcerated parents in the Washington, D.C. community.
Lewis Jr.'s father went to jail on drug charges in his late 20s. He was supposed to spend the rest of his life behind bars, never getting a taste of freedom again, but in March be became a free man.
The father-son duo now work alongside each other. In addition, Lewis Jr. works with the DC Reengagement Center to help provide kids who have dropped out of school with a second chance at pursuing an education.
This award will add to his growing list of accolades earned, which includes the Steve Harvey/Ford Motor Company “Best Community Leader” award and the Presidential Call to Service award.
“We are honored to have Tony Lewis Jr. represent the Washington Commanders as our 2023 Inspire Change Changemaker Award recipient for his powerful impact in our surrounding community,” Commanders Team President Jason Wright said. “Tony is truly a difference maker when it comes to criminal justice reform in the DMV. We thank him for the work he has done to support, uplift, and empower those impacted by incarceration, which has been lifechanging for so many.”
The Changemaker Award recognizes individuals in each NFL team market making a difference in their community across Inspire Change’s four focus areas: education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform. Along with receiving special recognition at the Inspire Change game, Lewis Jr. will receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, paid directly to a non-profit organization of his choice.
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