Ray Lewis became one of the greatest defenders in NFL history during his 17 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. The linebacker was the centerpiece of a defense that won two Super Bowls, while earning two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and 12 All-Pro selections.
Following his Pro Football Hall of Fame playing career, Lewis joined ESPN and Fox Sports as an NFL analyst. He had also been considered for a college football head coaching job with the Florida Atlantic Owls. And in 2015, following the riots in Baltimore, Lewis, along with Cherie Brooks, co-founded Power 52, a non-profit foundation that aims "to break the cycle of poverty, unemployment, underemployment, and incarceration in underserved urban communities."
With a goal of increasing community interest in renewable energy careers, Power 52 has spearheaded several initiatives, including the launch of a clean energy career school where most graduates have gone on to jobs in the field. The organization also works to "advance low-income community resilience" and "offer disaster relief support and resources."
But Power 52 took another step forward when Howard County, Maryland, a Baltimore suburb, declared Sept. 25 as “Power 52 Day,” an honor handed out by county executive Dr. Calvin Ball. And on Saturday, Lewis and Brooks announced the news on Instagram.
"DRIM ROLL PLEASE… ✨," Lewis and Brooks wrote in a joint Instagram post. "Thursday night, Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball did his big one and presented an Executive Proclamation declaring September 25th officially 'Power52 Day' in Howard County, Maryland! We are beyond honored to receive this recognition for our mission to disrupt the cycle of poverty, unemployment, and incarceration through clean energy training, workforce development, and community resilience.
"This proclamation is more than a date on the calendar, it’s a testament to the impact of Power52’s work in transforming lives and building resilient communities. ⚡ We are OVERJOYED, GRATEFUL, and READY to keep shining bright! ✨ Huge thank you to Dr. Ball for recognizing our impact and locking us into the calendar forever! "
While Lewis continues to make strides in the clean energy industry, his Ravens have stumbled to a 1-2 start in the 2025 NFL season. They will try to get back to .500 in Week 4 on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs.
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