Willie Gary, Prominent Attorney and Kenneth Gary, President/CEO
of the Gary Foundation Sponsor the “Athlete of the Year”
Campaign to Recognize Student Athletes

(Left to Right) male Athlete of the Year, Emanuel Cook, Attorney Willie Gary, female Athlete of the Year, Lecia Brown, and Kenneth Gary, President/CEO of the Gary Foundation, pose for photo during Athlete of the Year Banquet

Stuart, FL – Willie Gary, attorney and chairman of the Black Family Channel and Kenneth Gary, president/CEO of the Gary Foundation recently sponsored the “Athlete of the Year” campaign in conjunction with WPEC Channel 12, the CBS affiliate in West Palm Beach, Florida.    

The “Athlete of the Year” campaign gives weekly recognition to outstanding high school athletes throughout South Florida. Each student featured on CBS as the “Athlete of the Week” has the opportunity to vote for two of their peers to receive the title of “Athlete of the Year,” during a special banquet held in West Palm Beach. This year’s honorees are Lecia Brown, from Suncoast High School and Emanuel Cook, from Palm Beach Gardens High School.

The Gary Foundation has partnered with WPEC Channel 12 (CBS) for the last six years to make this meaningful program available to students. Attorney Willie Gary and Kenneth Gary, president/CEO of the Gary Foundation, joined the high school athletes at the annual banquet held in their honor. Kenneth Gary acknowledged the students for achieving excellence in sports and academics, and encouraged them to continue to work hard in school.  

Each student in attendance has been featured as the “Athlete of the Week” on WPEC Channel 12 Sports, as an outstanding athlete and student. This event has been a tradition at WPEC for 45 years, and with the help of Willie Gary, Kenneth Gary, and the Gary Foundation, this important legacy has continued. “This is an excellent tradition which rewards students for their hard work and commitment. They are all very talented in academics in addition to being amazing athletes. All of these kids are winners,” said Kenneth Gary.

Willie E. Gary is well-known for his philanthropic endeavors. In 1994, he and his wife, Dr. Gloria Gary, founded The Gary Foundation, which provides college scholarships and direction to at-risk students who wish to attend college. After the tragedy of September 11, Gary awarded scholarships to five young boys who lost their mother in the attacks. In response to the shooting death of a promising young student at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida, Gary flew 35 fellow students to Chicago to attend his funeral. Gary has also supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities by donating millions of dollars including $10 million to his alma mater Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.