New York, NY, June 26, 2025 – Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, today announced the recipients of the RFK 2025 Ripple of Hope Awards. Martin Cabrera, Jr., founder and CEO of Cabrera Capital; former NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson; Stefano Lucchini, Chairman of RFK Human Rights Italia; and Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, will be honored at the organization’s annual Ripple of Hope Gala on December 9 in New York City. The event will also feature special guest attendees including actor Robert De Niro and actor Aasif Mandvi, as well as special remarks from past Ripple of Hope Award winners including Stacey Abrams and Lin-Manuel Miranda. This year’s Gala will mark the launch of RFK’s 100th birthday campaign, with a host committee chaired by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton.

The RFK Ripple of Hope Award honors exemplary leaders from government, business, advocacy, and entertainment who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to social change, equity, justice, and human rights. This year’s laureates—from the boardroom to the basketball court—have used their platforms across finance, philanthropy, sports, and the arts to uplift communities and champion meaningful causes.

“In today’s world, it’s all too easy to become overwhelmed by division or despair. That’s why it’s more important than ever to celebrate those who are driving positive change,” said Kerry Kennedy, president of RFK Human Rights. “I’m thrilled to honor these individuals and the impact they’re making, including Martin’s commitment to financial literacy for young people, Magic’s investment in underserved communities, Stefano’s longtime service at  RFK Human Rights Italia, and Darren’s groundbreaking approach to social justice philanthropy.”

About the 2025 Ripple of Hope Laureates: 

Martin Cabrera, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Cabrera Capital, a global investment bank and institutional brokerage firm, and a real estate development and investment firm. An active community member, he serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at St. Ignatius College Prep, and is on the board of World Business Chicago, INTERSECT Illinois, and Homeboy Industries, among others.

“I am deeply humbled to receive the Ripple of Hope Award and to stand alongside such inspiring leaders who share a commitment to building a more equitable future,” said Cabrera. “Robert F. Kennedy’s legacy reminds us that each of us has a responsibility to uplift our communities, break down barriers to opportunity, invest in the next generation, and serve others. I am honored to continue that work through financial empowerment, education, and creating pathways for others to succeed.”

Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, an investment conglomerate that provides high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities. Having left the basketball court for the boardroom, Johnson parlayed the skills and tenacity he acquired on the NBA courts into a winning formula for his successful business ventures. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Johnson’s contributions to business, sports, and philanthropy have impacted the world.

Johnson shared, “It is an incredible honor and privilege to receive the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award. Our platforms are only as powerful as the good we choose to do with them, and it’s always been a priority of mine to give back and uplift others in my community. This award is a reminder that standing up for equity, justice, and human dignity is not just a responsibility—it’s necessary. I look forward to joining my fellow Ripple of Hope laureates at the Gala this December.”

Stefano Lucchini is the Chief Institutional Affairs Officer of Intesa Sanpaolo, the largest bank in Italy, and Chair of Intesa Sanpaolo IMI Securities Corporation. He is also a member of the International Advisory Council and the Foreign Policy Leadership Council of the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. He serves on many boards, including as Chairman of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia and has received the Knight Grand Cross of the Italian Republic.

Lucchini shared, “I am deeply honored to receive the Ripple of Hope Award in this extraordinary year, as we celebrate the centennial of Robert F. Kennedy’s birth and the 20th anniversary of RFK Human Rights Italia.

This recognition is a powerful encouragement to continue our mission of promoting justice, dignity, and human rights across Italy and beyond. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Kerry Kennedy, whose unwavering leadership and commitment have been a constant source of inspiration, and to Marialina Marcucci, who founded RFK Human Rights Italia and led it with passion and vision for over 15 years.

I proudly share this award with the entire Italian team and with all those who, like Bobby Kennedy, believe that even the smallest acts of courage can spark powerful ripples of change. In a world often marked by division and inequality, we remain determined to stand for compassion, civic responsibility, and the rule of law.”

Darren Walker is president of the Ford Foundation, an international social justice philanthropy with offices in the United States and 10 regions around the globe. Under his leadership, the Ford Foundation became the first non-profit in U.S. history to issue a $1 billion designated social bond in US capital markets, with proceeds used to strengthen and stabilize non-profit organizations in the wake of COVID-19. His long history of philanthropic innovation has been recognized through numerous leadership lists, including TIME’s annual 100 Most Influential People, Rolling Stone’s 25 People Shaping the Future, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, Ebony’s Power 100, and Out magazine’s Power 50.

Walker shared, “I am deeply honored to be recognized with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ Ripple of Hope Award, particularly in the company of such distinguished fellow laureates. I have long shared Robert Kennedy’s profound conviction in the power of hope, and believe deeply in the capacity of determined individuals, working together, to forge a more equitable and just world for all.”

The Ripple of Hope Award is inspired by Robert F. Kennedy’s renowned speech, the 1966 Day of Affirmation remarks he addressed to students in South Africa at the height of Apartheid: “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

Previous winners of the Ripple of Hope Award include Stacey Abrams, then-Vice President Joe Biden, Bono, Tim Cook, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Wiliam “Bill” Clinton, George Clooney, Fran Drescher, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Amanda Gorman, Dolores Huerta, Colin Kaepernick, late Congressman John Lewis, former President Barack Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Robert F. Smith, Donato J. Tramuto, Desmond Tutu and Tom Wilson. 

Learn more about RFK Human Rights and its annual Ripple of Hope Award here.

About Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
We are a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization, founded in 1968, working to realize Robert F. Kennedy’s dream of a more just and peaceful world. In partnership with local activists, we advocate for key human rights issues—championing change makers and pursuing strategic litigation at home and around the world. And to ensure change that lasts, we foster a social-good approach to business and investment and educate millions of students about human rights and social justice.