In June 2006, a newly-crowned NBA Champion and Finals MVP, Dwyane Wade stood on the ESPYs stage to accept his first major honor, marking the beginning of a celebrated career. The following year, he was named NBA Player of the Year, after having won the Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY just months earlier. Fast forward to 2007, and his daughter Zaya Wade was born, witnessing her father’s achievements at the ESPYs, including his nominations, speeches, and victories. While she supported him through those moments, things felt different in 2024 when Zaya, now 17, was honored as a Groundbreaker at the prestigious Out100.

On December 12, Dwyane and Gabrielle Union celebrated Zaya’s achievement at the Out100 event, and upon returning to his self-titled podcast, Dwyane reflected on what he called a “personal culture moment.” It was a night dedicated entirely to Zaya, one where Dwyane moved away from his usual spotlight as “D-Wade” or as the husband of Hollywood star Gabrielle Union, to focus entirely on being a father.

“I’m just in Father Mode,” Wade shared on the podcast. He fondly recalled a moment during the evening when Zaya, eating McDonald’s French fries, softly spoke to herself, “I can’t believe I’m here. I can’t believe I’m honored.” Wade, hearing her words, was struck by a realization. “I’m listening… and it hit me—this is her ESPYs moment. Just like I felt when I first walked into the ESPYs. I couldn’t believe I was there.”

For Dwyane, the significance of Zaya’s honor as one of the most influential LGBTQ+ figures was profound. He realized that just as he had once been in awe of his achievements, Zaya was experiencing her own groundbreaking moment. “This is her ESPYs. This is what the Out100 means to my daughter,” he reflected.

Wade relived the time a six-year-old Zaya spoke about wanting to live her truth. She came out as transgender at the age of 12 in 2020. Now she’s a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ youth with her entire family. That brought her to the 2024 Out100 event where the leading magazine honored her as one of this year’s groundbreakers.

D-Wade soaks in Zaya’s moment in the spotlight

Zaya Wade juggles activism with her regular school life and is in the college tour phase. And she’s on track to be a star on the runway after being showcased in Miu Miu campaigns. At Out100, Zaya wore her hair down to complement her black Lena Jacket Dress by Ronny Kobo with leopard fur trimming and Mary Jane heels.

She was almost as tall as her dad who wore a white turtleneck layered under a dark denim jacket with dark slacks. Gabrielle Union flanked her in a gingham number making the most fashionable family on the red carpet. Along with Zaya, Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo and Sheryl Lee Ralph were among the honorees. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union weren’t the guest of honors but they’ve been outspoken allies alongside Zaya since she came out.

The father-daughter pair also created and contributed to ‘Translatable,’ an online platform serving as a safe space for LGBTQ+ people. Once again on his podcast, D-Wade reiterated he’s just being a dad. “As a father, to be able to be there to support her was just such a dope moment for me.” Perhaps as dope or better than winning an ESPY.