“Zaya, This Is for You”: Dwyane Wade Pays Tribute to Daughter With Heartfelt Message Following Major Honor

Ever since his retirement from the NBA, Dwyane Wade found a purpose in working towards social causes. His daughter Zaya Wade has been a major source of inspiration for multiple initiatives by the former Miami Heat star; including a trans resource hub launched last month. And when he received recognition for it all through the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award in May, he ensured to not let his 17-year-old out of the gratitude list. 

In the acceptance speech posted by the Elevate Prize Foundation a couple of days ago, Wade states he has had multiple blessings in his life, but becoming a father turned out to be his biggest. As he worked to build a world his children and all others deserved to grow in, he found his inspiration and humbleness in Zaya.

“… I’m truly honored to accept this year’s elevate prize Catalyst award. Zaya, this is for you and the beautiful community you’ve built,” he added. D-Wade mentioned how he wanted to be his daughter’s greatest ally and champion in the personal journey that Zaya shared with the world. The fact he shifted from Florida to California for her is just one example of this.

Notably, Florida’s legislation is not LGBTQAI+ friendly which, according to Wade, would’ve affected his daughter’s growth as an individual. The 13x All-Star reflected his thoughts on this scenario in the speech as well. He highlighted how he witnessed the constant battle to justify one’s right to simply exist while supporting his daughter. “All children deserve to feel accepted, to feel loved, and to feel safe,” he said in the video.

Dwyane Wade further expressed his belief in a new era. An era where people come together to advocate for equality for everyone and to center the voices of those most vulnerable. It is this influence to inspire social action that the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award recognizes in prominent individuals.

“To advance their mission and scale their work, recipients receive $250,000 in unrestricted funding, as well as valuable development resources and partnership opportunities,” the official release by ‘The Elevate Prize Foundation’ stated. The 3x NBA champ furthered the foundations’ belief in him by an announcement in his award acceptance speech.

Zaya Wade’s initiative for the Trans community to receive special help from Dwyane Wade

The 3x NBA champ had announced his daughter’s initiative — Translatable — when he received the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award. Notably, translatable is a digital platform that will provide educational tools for the family and friends of trans youth, and a community safe space for them to express themselves.

Now, in his recently released award acceptance video speech, Wade announced that translatable will receive funding through Wade Family foundation. The Foundation itself works towards LGBTQ equality along with racial justice. And now the foundation will back translatable to further it’s mission.

Wade re-emphasized in his video that translatable will act as a safe space for trans youth. And there will be a special focus on raising awareness among communities of color. He further thanked the Elevate Prize foundation for their partnership and belief in translatable.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.