Sequoia Holmes wins 2025 Athletes Unlimited Civic Leadership Award
Sequoia Holmes, a competitor in Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball since 2024, is the winner of the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Civic Leadership Award. Athletes Unlimited’s civic leadership mission is to develop athletes as civic leaders and elevate them as role models for the next generation of athletes and fans. As such, the annual award recognizes one athlete for their civic leadership efforts during their season with Athletes Unlimited and beyond. Holmes is the fifth recipient of the award, following Kaz Brown, Jazmyn Jackson, Cassidy Lichtman, and Mira Shane.
Holmes was selected by a voting committee that includes Beth Brooke, The New York Times Company Board Director, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Board Member & AU Advisory Board Member; Sue Enquist, UCLA 11-time national champion (as a player and coach) & Founder of Bruwin Enterprises; Johari Matthews, Vice President and Executive Director of ONE Community and the Tennessee Titans Foundation; and Sarah Spain, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning sports journalist and Content Director of the iHeart Women’s Sports Network.
“I chose to serve on the Civic Leadership Award Committee because I’ve seen firsthand the power athletes have to create meaningful change beyond the game,” said Matthews. “Our process was intentional and values-driven, focused on impact, authenticity, and a real commitment to community. Sequoia Holmes stood out because her leadership is rooted in service and consistency. Sequoia’s ability to use her platform to show up for others embodies what it means to be a leader with a servant heart. Her passion for empowering the next generation of athletes and young people is truly inspiring.”
Holmes was selected for this recognition based on her advocacy work with Vegas Elite Girls Basketball Club, a Las Vegas-based youth basketball organization serving youth ages 5 to 17. As assistant director for the Club, Holmes views her work with Vegas Elite as teaching life lessons through basketball. Holmes grew up playing basketball in Las Vegas and chose the organization as her athlete cause during the 2024 and 2025 AU Pro Basketball seasons.
As part of the award, Athletes Unlimited will make a monetary contribution to Vegas Elite Girls Basketball Club.
“It’s a gracious and humbling honor to be recognized for my civic leadership,” said Holmes. “Growing up, people in my neighborhood always reminded me that my community mattered—that it would help shape who I became—and that blessings are meant to be shared. They taught me to never forget where I came from and to give back to the people and place that poured into me by supporting the next generation. They were right. I truly believe God gave them the vision and gave me the courage to believe it.”
The finalists for the 2025 Civic Leadership Award included Betty De La Cruz-Mejía (volleyball) and Bubba Nickles-Camarena (softball).
Any Athletes Unlimited athlete playing in a season of the award year who has demonstrated civic leadership both in season and in their off-season is eligible to be nominated for the Civic Leadership Award. These civic leadership activities could include the athlete’s involvement in Athlete Causes, volunteerism, advocacy, and more. Athletes are self-nominated or nominated by their peers.
