When Zaya Wade first came out as transgender to her father, former NBA All Star and Hall of Fame player Dwyane Wade, the older Wade didn’t immediately think about being an “advocate.” Instead, he thought about her safety. “Not only is my child in one of the most attacked communities in the world, the trans community, and the LGBTQ+ community, but also, my child is Black in America,” he tells Them. “That right there alone is enough for a parent.”

The retired Miami Heat legend, whose No. 3 jersey hangs in the rafters at the Kaseya Center, was back in town for a good cause that had nothing to do with basketball. Wade was on stage at the Edition hotel at the Elevate Prize Foundation’s second annual Make Good Famous Summit. The NBA icon was honored for his advocacy for the transgender community and using his influence to ignite social change.

Miami Heat Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade is launching a new digital platform to provide a "community safe space" for transgender youth to access resources and express themselves.

Elevate Prize Foundation closes second annual summit by recognizing the NBA Hall of Famer for his support of trans rights and joins the Wade Family Foundation in launching Translatable

Basketball icon and Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade appeared in Miami Beach Thursday to accept the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award, honoring his advocacy for the transgender community and his contributions through the Wade Family Foundation.

The NBA Hall of Famer was presented with the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award for his advocacy for the trans community

He spent more than 14 seasons as a guard for the Miami Heat, winning three championships, having Miami-Dade County nicknamed “Wade County,” and he still leads the franchise in everything from points and rebounds to personal fouls.