When Ayesha and Stephen Curry launched Eat. Learn. Play. in 2019, they stated their mission was to create “ongoing tangible change” for underserved children in Oakland. And about half a decade later, the Warriors legend and his wife were honored with one of sports’ most prestigious humanitarian awards.
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The Currys received the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award on Tuesday. During his acceptance speech, Curry said:
“When you hear Muhammad Ali’s name, I know you think about greatness. What has inspired all of us in this room is not just what he did in the ring, but his willingness to use his voice, his presence, his platform to stand for something bigger than himself. This award being connected to his legacy is incredibly humbling. But I’m standing here knowing that this recognition is not really about me.
It’s about what happens when a community of people shows up for its kids. Oakland is our adopted hometown, where I spent the first 10 years with the Warriors, where we won our first three championships, and where Ayesha and I grew up as adults in so many ways. This city wrapped its arms around us from the very beginning. And this is how we continue to give back.”
The humanitarian award recognizes athletes who create lasting impact in their communities while mirroring Ali’s values of confidence, conviction, dedication, giving back, and respect. Curry beat fellow finalists Damar Hamlin and Adam Thielen. Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali’s widow, presented him with the award.
When announcing the finalists, ESPN’s VP of Corporate Citizenship, Kevin Martinez, explained why Curry and the other nominees were selected.
“For over a decade, the Sports Humanitarian Awards have been a key pillar of ESPN’s commitment to the teams and people who use the power of sports to drive meaningful changes in the world,” he added. “We are eager to celebrate our peers who leverage the power of sports to highlight the importance of advocacy, education, and giving back to their communities.”
Muhammad and Lonnie established the Muhammad Ali Center in 2005 in his hometown of Louisville. The center’s mission, according to its website, is to “mobilize Ali’s legacy to foster respect, inspire generations of changemakers and advance social justice.”
On the other hand, Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play has become one of the Bay Area’s largest youth-focused charities, focusing on fighting childhood hunger, improving literacy, and creating safe places for children to play. According to ESPN and the foundation, its impact now includes 35 million nutritious meals served to children and families facing food insecurity, as well as more than $20 million invested in literacy initiatives throughout Oakland public schools.
When they launched the foundation in 2019, the Currys explained that they wanted to create lasting change instead of isolated charitable events. Stephen Curry said that they “want to create ongoing tangible change for the kids and families of Oakland.” His wife, Ayesha, added that “every child deserves the chance to dream big” and they’re “committed to helping make those dreams possible.”
Those principles continue to define Eat. Learn. Play.’s work today, making it one of the most respected nonprofits founded by an athlete. Curry also supports athletes by dedicating part of his Curry Brand (linked with Li-Ning) to provide global youth access to sports. Part of the Warriors legend’s community efforts includes refurbishing courts, and he completed his 20th one at McClymonds High School in Oakland in 2025.
Curry officially fulfilled all his community impact goals from 2020 by renovating 20 courts, training 15,000 coaches, and supporting 125 programs, ultimately reaching 300,000 kids around the world!
Back in 2019, Curry also told the world that he and his wife believed “it takes a village” to raise a child, and that they were fortunate to be born into loving, supportive, and healthy families. But that wasn’t and isn’t going to be the case for every kid.
“A lot of it is just trying to set kids up for success,” Curry explained of his organization’s goals.
Years later, at the 2026 ESPYS, the Warriors legend urged his fellow athletes to use their respective platforms for positive change.
“Everybody in this room, don’t ever forget that you have a platform, you have a voice, you have everything that you need to make a true impact, and I encourage you to find your Oakland, find what makes you different and where you can have that impact,” Stephen Curry said with a smile.
Curry joined a long list of veteran athletes who have received the honor, including NBA players Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday, and Kevin Durant. He was also not the only individual to be recognized for his philanthropic efforts.
Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie received the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, which honors those who take risks and employ innovative sports-centered approaches to help the underserved. Lurie’s efforts with the Eagles Autism Foundation and the Lurie Autism Institute extend beyond $100 million.
Laurie Tisch, co-owner of Gotham FC, received the Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award. She was recognized for her funding strategy through her foundation’s $10 million Play to Thrive initiative, which aims to expand access and support underserved communities, with the primary goal of increasing girls’ opportunities in sports.
As fans, we’ll continue to appreciate every athlete, like Stephen Curry, who uses their platform to make a difference.