Doris M.H. Lewis Memorial Practitioner Award
The Lewis Sports Foundation (LSF) awards grants to local practitioners. At least two sports professionals are presented small tokens of appreciation for their tireless work and effort to service youth. These awards are designated to provide support to each practitioner and their organization.
The Doris M.H. Lewis Memorial Practitioner Award is given to recognize outstanding effort as a teaching professional who tirelessly works in leadership and physical activity positions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. We target those individuals who teach and/or coach young people despite the odds that confront them as they succeed.
We’d like to recognize Doris M.H. Lewis Memorial Practitioner Award recipient:
2025
Kelsey Joson
InControl
A former track and field athlete at the University of Minnesota, Kelsey Joson is an entrepreneur and leader dedicated to transforming wellness for the disabled community. As the founder of InControl, she has pioneered holistic wellness services for adults with disabilities, achieving remarkable growth and recognition for her impactful work. InControl’s mission it to solve the quality-of-life crisis for adults with disabilities in the United States.
Kelsy’s professional background as a teacher, coach and trainer comes from her educational background in kinesiology and developmental adaptive physical education. Her company focuses on the four Pillars of Wellness. They include teaching clients to incorporate regular activity into their daily lives, learning the importance of a healthy diet by cooking their own nutritious meals, learning skills to be a positive member of the community, and reaching their highest potential through enhancing their emotional well-being.
Kelsey also co-founded Strengthen the Strong, a networking initiative for BIPOC professionals She was named one of the "50 Black Leaders You Need to Know" by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
Past Recipients:
2024 - Audrey Kludtke - Metro Deaf School
2023 - JoeAnn Jackson-Matthews - Eagles Wings Track Club
2022 - Meredith Lang - Mosaic Hockey Collective
2021 - Lori Prioleau - Summit University Girls Athletics Association
2020 - No award given
2019 - Deborah Williams - St. Paul Parks & Rec
2018 - Kiara Buford - Robbinsdale Cooper High School
2017 - Beulah Verdell - Minneapolis North Community High School
2014 to 2016 - No award given
2013 - Linda Coleman - Merrick Community Services
2012 - Crystal Flint - Shooting Stars Girls Program
2011 - Tonyus Chavers - Richard Green Middle School
Doris M.H. Lewis
Doris M. H. Lewis was a scholar and physical education teacher at the primary grade levels. She was a cheerleader and graduate of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and Order of the Eastern Star and earned her Master’s degree from the University of Missouri. Doris was an early integrator of the Columbia Public Schools in Columbia, MO, and taught for over 25 years. She was very instrumental in raising three sons, two of whom were professional football players. She was also the stabilizing force and supportive wife of Leo Lewis, Jr. during his Hall of Fame football career and coaching roles at Lincoln University. Doris passed away in 1980.
Founded in 1999 by Leo Lewis, the Lewis Sports Foundation is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization dedicated to providing our youth with the tools to develop lifeskills through education and physical activity.
