Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation was honored when music icon Quincy Jones agreed to be the Foundation’s first International Spokesperson.

Through the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Quincy recognized immediately that the disparity of funding for research for people with Down syndrome, even amongst the differently-abled, is first and foremost about human and civil rights.

To this end, Quincy worked with the Foundation to establish the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award. The Foundation established this award in honor of Quincy’s life-changing leadership in humanitarian efforts to help the disadvantaged. The award recognizes those who have championed people who are differently-abled, including people with Down syndrome, in several categories such as humanitarian work, self-advocacy, and public service.

People with developmental disabilities, especially Down syndrome, are too often neglected and underestimated by our government and society as a whole. With Quincy’s generous support, we are able to pay tribute to public figures who have taken the time to understand our children and shine a light on their contributions to this world. Also in Quincy’s name, we honor those self-advocates who are changing our world as role models anyone would be proud to emulate.

The Foundation is deeply appreciative of Quincy Jones and the outstanding recipients of the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award. Below is a list of these exceptional people: