Image@ Kelis Armstrong
Howard University graduate, Kelis Armstrong, is being honored for her community efforts ahead of the 2026 ESPY’s.
The former D1 track and field athlete received the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award for using sports to advance youth health, safety, and community equity in D.C.
“It’s been very exciting. I feel very honored to receive this award in the name of Billie Jean King, the icon, the legend,” Armstrong told 7News. “I’ve just been really appreciative of the opportunity. But on top of that, I’m just, you know, really happy for the honor just because it’s recognizing athletes can make an impact beyond the sport, and you know, I’m grateful for everyone who supported me through that journey; I feel like this award is like a good symbol of that,” she added.
Through organizations including Grassroots Health and Run Your City, Kelis has helped create safe after-school spaces, teach health literacy and engage student-athletes in service throughout the community.
“I’ve always been an active kid since I was like, you know, since as long as I can remember. My parents did sports when they grew up. I was just always interested in you know being active, being outside. I played like all the sports when I was younger, and then I just stuck with track all the way till college, so it’s just something I enjoy doing,” she said.
kelis Armstrong
The Dallas, Texas native believes that as a Howard graduate, the historically Black institution has helped her build a passion and return it to the community that she’s called home for the last four years.
“Being at an HBCU really does mean a lot and being able to, you know, talk about that while also in the same sense talking about community service and you know being out with the D.C. community, being with the kids especially has made a really big impact on my life,” Armstrong added.
The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award is a sports humanitarian honor celebrating high school and college-aged students who use sports to improve their communities.
Armstrong received the award along with two other honorees: Julia Howe and Samuel Phillips.
The Texas native said she wants to reach and help as many people as possible. She hopes to pursue a Master of Public Health at Columbia University in the fall.
“I just tell myself every day, like I was given this platform for a reason. I knew just being a track athlete wasn’t it, and you know, I was definitely made for more,” Armstrong added.
“I want to continue this, reaching out to as many as I can to help…once you get into it and you actually enjoy doing what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like a tedious thing,” she said.
SOURCE: wjla.com