Joey Cheek

Joey Cheek is the co-founder and president of Team Darfur, an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness about and bringing an end to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. He is also the founder and CEO of SmartSolar.org, an online platform equipping homeowners with the tools and guidance to design energy-generating homes. As a former competitive speed skater, he won gold and silver medals at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics in the 500m and 1000m races, respectively, and another gold medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.

Cheek's commitment to philanthropy is evident through his considerable contributions to various causes. Notably, he donated his $40,000 Olympic winnings to Right To Play, which supports disadvantaged children through sport. This generous act inspired his sponsors and other athletes, collectively raising over one million dollars for children in Darfur. His philanthropic efforts have earned him several accolades, including the DHL Olympic Spirit award, the 2006 National Sportsmanship Award, and the inaugural Heisman Humanitarian Award. Additionally, he was honored by his teammates who chose him to carry the US flag at the closing ceremonies of the 2006 Turin Olympics.

Cheek has continued to engage with various audiences about critical issues, speaking at events such as the "Save Darfur: Rally to Stop Genocide" alongside notable figures like George Clooney and Barack Obama. He has also shared his insights at a TEDxRVA event. Despite his substantial achievements and ongoing advocacy work, he pursued further education by enrolling as a freshman at Princeton University to study economics and Chinese, where he supports the Princeton Tigers football team. This unique blend of athletic success, academic pursuit, and deep commitment to humanitarian causes makes Cheek a distinguished figure in both sports and philanthropic spheres.