John Amos Award & Grant
In Memory of the legendary John Amos
⭐️ The John Amos Student Award recognizes a student who embodies media integrity and exhibits outstanding skills in the creative arts and community purpose. This award and grant are bestowed upon selected students throughout the year. Teacher nominations are required.For more information email info@mvp3foundation.org
MVP3 founder and president Marie Pizano made a promise to her late friend John Amos, known as “America’s Dad,” to honor his legacy and work in his memory to help the next generation. (Photo Above). After his passing, it was reaffirmed with the approval of K.C. Amos that this mission remains to inspire hope and healing through the arts and award and grant students in memory of his father.
Ways to Help
MVP3 Foundation in collaboration with K.C. Amos (son of John Amos) will continue the late actor John Amos’ legacy of mentoring and uplifting future storytellers with heart and truth by honoring students to continue his legacy . The grant provides $150- $500 in unrestricted support, allowing the recipient to use the funds freely in pursuit of their creative and educational journey.
The more we raise, the more we can inspire and motivate our youth. If you would like to contribute and donate towards this mission, please contact info@mvp3foundation.org
John Amos Grant Honoree ~ Nicholas Keplinger (Fall Branch, T
Transforming Lives with MVP3 Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From Viral Kindness to the Super Bowl: MVP3 Foundation Awards Prestigious John Amos Honor to National Video Contest Winner
SUBHEAD: Tennessee Student Nicholas Keplinger Recognized for Media Integrity as the John Amos Legacy Award Expands to Support Youth Arts and Education.
Memphis, TN – February 6, 2026 – The MVP3 Foundation has announced the expansion of its most prestigious honor, the John Amos Award, marking a new chapter in the mission to inspire media integrity. In a historic fifth presentation since the award's 2025 inauguration, the foundation has awarded Nicholas Keplinger of Fall Branch, Tennessee, with the legacy plaque and a $150 recognition grant.
Created by the MVP3 Foundation and KC Amos to continue the legacy of legendary actor John Amos—best known for his roles in Roots and Coming to America—the award recognizes students who embody media integrity and community purpose.
Nicholas, a junior at Daniel Boone High School in Gray, TN, was recently named Grand Prize winner of the 2026 “Kickoff for Kindness” video contest, part of the Values-in-Action Foundation’s “Kindland” initiative. His video was shown to over 543,600 students across the United States on February 5, 2026. As Grand Prize winner, Nicholas received two tickets to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, courtesy of the NFL Foundation.
Motivated by film production and creative graphics, Nicholas entered the contest to encourage others to be kind, supported by his family and dedicated teachers who championed his endeavors. His film came to the attention of the MVP3 Foundation through Becky Haas, a globally recognized expert in trauma-informed care and foundation supporter. Recognizing this connection as a movement for media integrity, MVP3 chose to honor Nicholas with the John Amos Award.
“This success story reflects the power of digital connection for meaningful change,” said Marie Pizano, President and Founder of MVP3 Foundation. “Seeing a social media tag from Becky Haas lead us to Nicholas proves platforms can inspire heart and community integrity. By honoring him, we fulfill our mission to lift up storytellers who lead with kindness.”
As part of the recognition, Nicholas will have his film showcased on the MVP3 Network. Viewers can visit www.mvp3network.com to find the direct link to the channel, or download the MVP3 Network app on Roku or Amazon Fire TV. The film is scheduled to air on the MVP3 Network Shorts Channel on February 14, 2026. For initiative details, visit VIAFDN.org and for foundation info, visit mvp3foundation.org.
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Media Contact:
MVP3 Foundation
Email: info@mvp3foundation.org
Website: www.mvp3foundation.org
John Amos Honoree ~ Allie Lyon
Collierville, TN
Allie Lyon, a student at Collierville High School in Collierville, TN was awarded the 5th John Amos award for her dedication to creating content for purpose, and with integrity. She is the lead student on the "A Society In Crisis: A Family In Divide" documentary project. Nominated by Jessica Roberts (Media Teacher)
Images of Impact: A Visual Journey of MVP3 Foundation's Outreach
Southwest Tennessee Community College/ Memphis college student receives John Amos award https://southwest.tn.edu/stories/scoop/2025/09/rico.php
Student Awards (Memphis and Illinois)
Thornton Fractional North (TFN) Student receives John Amos Award
Student Receives Inaugural John Amos Student Grant in Memph
Student Receives Inaugural John Amos Student Grant in Memphis, TN at
January 11, 2025 at the Withers Collection & Gallery Museum, US Civil Rights Historical Trail, Memphis, TN
We invite you to join us in congratulating JOSHUA CASEY, the distinguished recipient of our JOHN AMOS STUDENT GRANT, which recognizes a student demonstrating exceptional media integrity with a $500 award, nominated by Marshonn Calvin of MEMPHIS EAST T-STEM ACADEMY sponsored by Strong Woman In Film.
The photograph is credited to Larry Hubbard. Below, from left to right: K.C. Amos, son of John Amos; Marshonn Calvin, East T-Stem Academy Teacher; Joshua Casey, student awardee; and Marie Pizano, Founder/President of MVP3 Foundation.
⭐️ The John Amos Student Award recognizes a student who embodies media integrity and exhibits outstanding skills in the creative arts and community purpose. This award and grant are bestowed upon selected students throughout the year. Teacher nominations are required.For more information email info@mvp3foundation.org
About MVP3 Foundation:Our goal is to heal the communities through the arts and empower our society. We share voices and tell stories through film, music, and various creative arts, believing that transforming a broken heart into art is essential to being part of curing the effects trauma.
Our mission of our foundation also supports individuals affected by domestic violence, abuse, and homelessness, helping them protect their children and support loved ones amidst financial and emotional challenges. We provide resources and solutions for those facing devastating situations and aim to raise awareness about domestic violence, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Our mission is to create change through media platforms, highlighting the importance of using our voices and all forms of media as a powerful tool for positive change, while embodying integrity.
Our student programs help students develop skills and gain experience to pursue careers in the creative arts.
We believe creativity creates genius!
We believe film, music, and creativity offer a transformative pathway for healing and education, empowering our community!
Volunteer Opportunities
John Allen Amos Jr. (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry as a highly acclaimed American actor, celebrated for his iconic performances in Lock Up (1989) and Die Hard 2 (1990). His groundbreaking roles in Roots and Good Times continue to inspire, while his extensive television credits, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The West Wing, showcase his remarkable talent. Amos's film career was equally impressive, with notable roles in The Beastmaster (1982), Coming to America (1988), and Coming 2 America (2021), earning him nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award.
John Amos Student Awards will be awarded each year throughout the country. Our first John Amos Grant was given to student, Joshua Casey in Memphis, TN. In memory of the legendary actor John Amos. We are honoring his wishes and his legacy with his son, K.C. Amos. We are grateful for his friendship, their support in our mission to help our youth.