California women's basketball head coach Charmin Smith and football alumnus Marshawn Lynch have been named recipients of the 2024 ACC UNITE Award, the conference office announced.

The award was created to honor individuals who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice. It is presented annually to individuals who also:

• Best exemplify ACC UNITE's mission to promote and encourage racial equality and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy.
• Have helped create meaningful, lasting change by improving systems, organizational structures, policies, practices and attitudes.
• Have been a pioneer and/or helped pave the way for minorities either at the institution or in the community.

Each school in the ACC nominates two recipients each year based on the stated criteria.

Smith, who is entering her sixth season as the Golden Bears' head coach, has been a trailblazer for racial equality and social justice. Under her leadership, the Cal women's basketball program launched initiatives like "Race For Change," – an annual fundraising and awareness-raising walk around Lake Merritt in Oakland that directly benefits Cal's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice. She also rebranded Cal's annual women's basketball tournament at Haas Pavilion as the "Raising the B.A.R. Invitational," a nod to Basketball, Activism and Representation that features four teams led by Black female head coaches.

With Smith's encouragement, two former Cal women's basketball student-athletes created the Cal Racial Justice Council in 2020. Smith also serves on the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors and co-chairs the WBCA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Smith has twice been named one of the 100 most impactful people in women's college basketball by Silver Waves Media.

Lynch, an All-American running back at Cal who went on to a Pro Bowl career in the NFL, has given back to his hometown community in Oakland through the "Fam 1^st Family Foundation" – which seeks to assist in the empowerment and elevation of underserved youth and to contribute to broader economic, athletic, educational and experiential opportunities that impact long-term community growth and self-sustainability. Lynch sponsors trips for youth to experience other parts of the world as well as sports physicals while serving as a mentor to young athletes.

"We are incredibly honored to recognize the fourth annual UNITE Award recipients and are thrilled to celebrate these deserving individuals," ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D said. "These amazing representatives from our 18-member schools have made significant impacts throughout their careers and continue to be dedicated to making a positive impact in the crucial areas of racial and social justice, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion."  

Below is a complete list of each ACC institution's UNITE Award recipients:

• Boston College: Blake Bolden & Justin Simmons  
• California: Marshawn Lynch & Charmin Smith 
• Clemson: Mary Kennerty & Marion Reeves  
• Duke: Troy Austin & Michelle Staggers 
• Florida State: Tiffani Brown & Terance Mann 
• Georgia Tech: Grover Hinsdale & Dr. Shaday Word-Daniels 
• Louisville: Angel McCoughtry & Judge Derwin L. Webb  
• Miami: Dr. Marvin P. Dawkins & Shirelle Jackson 
• North Carolina: Martina Ballen & Brianna Pinto  
• NC State: Chester Grant & Ronnie Laughlin 
• Notre Dame: Dorene Dominguez & Art Velasquez Jr. 
• Pitt: Leah Friedman & Darelle Porter  
• SMU: Pastor Richie Butler & Charlene Edwards 
• Stanford: Nya Harrison  
• Syracuse: Greg Allen & Sydnie Moore 
• Virginia:  Elijah Gaines & Dr. Carla Williams 
• Virginia Tech: Aaron Rouse & Aisha Sheppard  
• Wake Forest: Dianne Dailey & Bill Hayes