Release: Claressa Shields Honors Detroit Leaders

Olympian Boxer Claressa Shields to Honor Detroit Women Leaders with First-Ever GWOAT Awards at World Title Fight on Saturday, July 27th at Little Caesars Arena

Power of One Awards co-founder Dotti Sharp and Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Jackie Kallen To Be Honored on Fight Night for Their Trailblazing Accomplishments and Inspiration of Women 

Michigan Community Resources' 'The Power of One Dedicated Woman' Award Winners To Also Be Honored

DETROIT – July 10, 2024 – A champion for women’s empowerment inside and outside the ring, on July 27 at her upcoming challenge for the WBC Heavyweight Championship at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, boxing superstar and two-time Olympic Gold medalist Claressa Shields will present her first-ever “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman of All Time) award to two of Detroit’s greatest female leaders: recent International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Jackie Kallen and The Power Of One Dedicated Woman Awards co-founder Dotti Sharp.

Shields will present the two women with the award for “their leadership, accomplishments, and embodiment of what it means to be a ‘Greatest Woman of All Time’” to the audience in attendance and DAZN viewers worldwide.

“It will be a great honor for me to recognize Jackie Kallen and Dotti Sharp as magnificent Detroit women whose efforts have improved our communities and inspired women around the world to be leaders, mentors, and trailblazers,” said Shields. “I invite fans in attendance and viewers worldwide on July 27 to join me in celebrating their dedication and accomplishments. It will be a GWOAT night for all!”

Dotti Sharp is a well-known community activist and the co-founder of Michigan Community Resources’ annual The Power of One Dedicated Woman Awards.

Established in 1998, Michigan Community Resources is a unique, multipronged nonprofit organization that supports other nonprofits and grassroots initiatives with capacity building services, tailored cohort experiences, and legal guidance.

Now in its tenth year, The Power of One Dedicated Woman awards honor unsung women changing Detroit neighborhoods. The Power of One Dedicated Woman awards have, thus far, honored 62 community leaders at their annual celebration.

Shields will also recognize previous winners of the award, with this year’s seven winners joining Kallen and Sharp in the ring on July 27 to be honored in front of those in attendance at Little Caesars Arena, as well as to viewers of the event’s live broadcast on global sports platform DAZN worldwide.

“The Power of One Dedicated Woman Awards offer a chance to highlight the incredible women leading positive change in Detroit communities,” said Dotti Sharp. “We are grateful to Claressa for sharing our values and inviting 10 years of award honorees to be recognized at Little Caesars Arena.”

“MCR is always looking for opportunities to bring attention to the pivotal work of community leadership in Detroit and beyond,” added Alisha Opperman, Chief Program Officer for Michigan Community Resources. “Each day, these women continue the fight against inequity and injustice and bring beauty, strength, and joy to their communities.”

Immortalized in film for her life’s work, Jackie Kallen, a former entertainment columnist, first rose to fame as one of boxing's first and most successful female managers, most notably working with Mult-Weight World Champion James Toney and former WBO Junior Middleweight Champ Bronco McKart.

Kallen’s life was the inspiration for the 2004 film Against the Ropes, in which actress Meg Ryan portrayed her. In 2024, Kallen was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the Non-Participant category. She has also authored two books - "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and "Between the Ropes." Kallen is also the subject of Peter Mann's book "Against the Odds: The Jackie Story."

Kallen makes appearances nationwide as a motivational speaker and currently lives in the Detroit area and manages three professional boxers, including Mykquan Williams and Sam Rizzo.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award from a woman that I greatly admire,” said Jackie Kallen. “Claressa has accomplished so much and gives back to the community in so many ways. It’s always inspiring when successful women support and promote each other. I am looking forward to July 27 and a big win for Claressa!”

About Bix Time Boxing USA: Shields vs. Joanisse

On Saturday, July 27, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and live on DAZN, Salita Promotions will present Undisputed Middleweight World Champion and boxing superstar Claressa “GWOAT” Shields’ historic challenge of WBC Women’s Heavyweight World Champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in the night’s main event.

The televised undercard will feature an intriguing 10-round co-feature pitting world-ranked super lightweight Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera against 140-pound contender Hugo Alberto “Nato” Roldan and power-punching former world-title challenger Shohjahon “Descendant of Tamerlane” Ergashev taking on Julian “The Quiet Storm” Smith in a 10-round super lightweight bout.

The supporting bouts will feature local and international prospects and contenders in highly competitive bouts.

About Michigan Community Resources and The Power of One Dedicated Woman

Support Michigan Community Resources (www.mi-community.org) and The Power of One Dedicated Woman by donating to MCR and the hundreds of other community-led initiatives making change in communities across the state. Each year, MCR serves over 400 nonprofit organizations, and in turn, each organization serves countless others. The 10th Annual Power of One Dedicated Woman Awards event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact MCR’s marketing director Hannah Colborn at hcolborn@mi-community.org for more information.

Contacts:

Hannah Colborn, Michigan Community Resources: 313.949.6837 hcolborn@mi-community.org

Chris DeBlasio, DeBlasio Communications: 917.445.7467 cdeblasio99@gmail.com

Bryant Fillmore, 313 Presents: 248.828.5665 bryant.fillmore@313presents.com

Robin Schwartz, Robin Schwartz PR: 248.509.5985 robinschwartzpr@gmail.com

Amy Oprean, Robin Schwartz PR: a.oprean@gmail.com

Andre Courtemanche, Big Media Buzz: 519.329.4290 bigmediabuzz@msn.com

Media Credentials: bigmediabuzz@msn.com