Kenny Moore II Will Receive Major Taylor Award
The Indiana Black Expo will honor the athlete for his commitment to sports and local community impact.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Awards
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On September 25, 2026, the Indiana Black Expo will present the Major Taylor Award to Kenny Moore II. The ceremony will take place during the Circle City Classic Coaches Luncheon.
Why it matters
The award recognizes athletes who achieve sports dominance while simultaneously dedicating efforts to improving their local communities. It highlights the influence professional athletes have beyond their primary field of competition.
General admission tickets for the Circle City Classic are available starting at $27.75. The award recipient spent nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and currently teaches students once a week.
The players
Kenny Moore II
He is a professional athlete who spent nine seasons playing for the Indianapolis Colts before requesting his release.
Indiana Black Expo
This organization promotes social and economic advancement for the Black community through events and educational programming.
Cardinal Ritter
This is an educational institution that partners with the Rise and Shine Initiative to provide academic and life-skills support.
The details
Kenny Moore II founded the Rise and Shine Initiative in 2024 to prepare local students for life after the classroom. Operating in partnership with Cardinal Ritter, the program provides direct mentorship through weekly instruction sessions.
Timeline
Kenny Moore II went undrafted in 2017.
The Rise and Shine Initiative launched in 2024.
Kenny Moore II requested a team release in May 2026.
The Major Taylor Award presentation occurs on September 25, 2026.
Culture Shift
This award ceremony reflects the growing trend of professional athletes formalizing their social impact through dedicated long-term initiatives. It highlights a move toward sustainable, school-based mentorship programs over traditional philanthropic models.
Community members can attend the Coaches Luncheon to support the programming associated with the Circle City Classic. Participants gain insight into local development initiatives and the practical efforts athletes are making to improve student outcomes.
The takeaway
The recognition of athletes for community work underscores the increasing expectation for professional sports figures to act as local mentors. Residents can see this shift by tracking how professional partnerships with local schools like Cardinal Ritter evolve over time.
Further reading
Learn more about the history of local honors on our Awards page.
More information
Purchase tickets for the upcoming event through the Circle City Classic ticket purchase portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indystar.
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