Bill Russell

Obama Presidential Center Honoree

Bill Russell

Space: Bill Russell Program Room | Home Court | Level 2

Bill Russell, a basketball legend and civil rights advocate, won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics and became the first Black NBA coach to win a championship. President Barack Obama awarded him the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Russell’s dedication to teamwork and justice shows that greatness comes not from individual glory but from lifting others up with humility and courage. 

With gratitude to Emilia Fazzalari and Wyc Grousbeck

“ We are humbled and proud to honor our inspiring friend Bill Russell and his enduring legacy as part of the Obama Presidential Center.”

–Emilia Fazzalari and Wyc Grousbeck

Legacy on Campus

  • Home Court

    The Bill Russell Program Room honors the basketball legend and civil rights advocate who won 11 championships, became the first Black head coach in the NBA, and consistently prioritized teamwork and justice over individual glory. 

    Learn More

  • Future in Sports

    Discover our newest program that connects local students and sports leaders through workshops, field trips, and advice on how to go pro, on and off the court. 

Make a gift in honor of your heroes

Your honorary gift will help us inspire, empower, and connect leaders from around the world to take on the biggest challenges of our time.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

John Lewis

Meet More Honorees

Through the honoree naming initiative at the Obama Presidential Center, we are partnering with our donors to celebrate a part of the history in which the Obama story is so deeply rooted by associating a named space with a hero, moment, or person "on whose shoulders we stand"—an honoree who made the Obamas’ story possible.

Meet More Honorees
Edit Page