Kinston Native Wins NBA Social Justice Champion Award

Former North Carolina Tar Heel basketball star and current Dallas Maverick guard/forward Reggie Bullock was selected as the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award winner. Bullock was one of five current NBA players as a finalist for the prestigious award. 

Bullock won the award that is named after NBA legend and hall of famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a social justice champion himself for his life mission of dedication to pursuing social justice and life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized or systematically disadvantaged, specifically within the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2014 Bullock’s sister Mia Henderson, a transgender woman, was murdered and since the tragic events Bullock has dedicated his life and his platform to honoring her legacy and push for increased visibility and acceptance of people in the LGBTQ community. Bullock has teamed up with numerous organizations in the Dallas, Texas area to continue working in honoring his sisters name. 

“We are all one, and I believe love lies in everybody’s heart,” said Bullock. “It’s incredibly important to me as a cisgender athlete to stand in support of the trans and LGBTQ+ community.”

Bullock has participated in numerous events supporting bringing awareness to issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Bullock created RemarkaBULL, an organization focused on developing revitalized spaces for a stable life in the LGBTQ+ community. He continues to advocate for equal rights and protections including speaking out against transgender youth legislation that prohibits participation in sports and challenging higher education institutions to consider inclusive policies.

As part of winning the award, Bullock also got a $100,000 check to a charity organization of his choice. Bullock chose Kinston Teens, a youth-led organization focused on community development and youth empowerment in his native Kinston. 

Salute to you Reggie Bullock!  

Read more about Bullock here

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