Jowharah Sanders has been announced as the Miami Dolphins' 2024 Inspire Change Changemaker – an annual award given to local leaders who are making a difference in their community across the NFL's Inspire Change initiatives four pillars of education, economic advancement, police-community relations or criminal justice reform.
Sanders leads National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment (NVEEE), a nonprofit that works to prevent bullying and advocates for marginalized groups by providing local youth and their families with the support and mentorship needed to navigate challenging circumstances.
Sanders is a seasoned nonprofit executive director with nearly two decades of experience in leadership development, youth mentoring and supporting families dealing with bullying, questioning of their gender identity, sexual orientation, and mental health. As a survivor herself, Sanders transformed her personal pain into a powerful purpose. In 2009, she founded National Voices for Equality Education and Enlightenment (NVEEE), an organization focused on preventing bullying, violence and suicide among youth and their families with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community. Through NVEEE, she developed a research-based bullying prevention program in partnership with the University of Miami. Sanders' advocacy is rooted in building trust and offering unwavering support to young people, helping them navigate challenges and find their voice. Her resilience and compassion have made a profound impact, empowering countless individuals to overcome adversity and create positive change in their lives.
Sanders was recognized at the Miami Dolphins Inspire Change game on Dec. 22 for her extraordinary work in pursuit of social justice and was surprised with a custom Dolphins jersey and Super Bowl tickets. She also received a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, paid directly to a non-profit organization of her choice.
"We are proud to recognize Jowharah Sanders as our 2024 Inspire Change Changemaker award recipient for her efforts in advocating for marginalized groups," said Miami Dolphins Vice President of Community Affairs Kim Miller. "We are grateful for the hard work and dedication that Jowharah pours into the organization and the youth it serves, utilizing her own personal experience to bring about effective change that directly influences the course of local youth and their families' lives."
"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 for the NFL. "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."
For more information on Inspire Change and the Changemaker Award, visit NFL.com/Changemakers.
