Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award

Remembering Quincy Jones
Music Icon & Legend • March 14, 1933 – November 3, 2024

In 2024, the brilliant, unparalleled talent and our dear friend, Quincy Jones, passed away. Our hearts ache for his family and his loved ones. Quincy lived an enormous life and gave back to this world with all his heart. How lucky were we as the Down syndrome community to be on the receiving end of that love?

Quincy is known for his 28 Grammys and 80 nominations, collaborations with the likes of Frank Sinatra, and producing superstars such as Michael Jackson. But to GLOBAL and to our Down syndrome community, he was equally known for his love for GLOBAL’s first Ambassador, Sophia Whitten, and all our children with Down syndrome whom he spoke about with conviction: “These children aren’t broken, they just need a leg up and the chance to reach their God-given potential.”

Quincy brought magic to GLOBAL and to our Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show. Each year, we give our highest honor, the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, to two people who have made significant impact for people with Down syndrome. Below is a list of these exceptional people: