Meet Your 2024 SKate Award Winner!

Congratulations to this year’s SKate Award winner, Franco Gianni!

The SKate Foundation is dedicated to supporting customized early intervention for babies and children with Down syndrome. Formed in 2008 by Adrienne and Paul Mulligan, by 2011 The SKate Foundation had raised funds to open the first GiGi’s Playhouse in Atlanta. This Playhouse was the first in the Southeast! Today, our Atlanta Playhouse is a thriving center providing a lifespan of services including FREE therapy styled classes, one-on-one tutoring, life skills and job training, and most of all, a community of belonging for participants and their families.

The SKate Award was established by our founders to recognize an individual or organization that is dedicated to spreading awareness and advocating global acceptance for all people with Down syndrome. The award is presented annually at our ‘i have a voice’ Gala. Past SKate Award recipient include 5-time Olympic bobsled medalist, Elana Meyers Taylor, and her coach, Nic Taylor, McAlister’s Deli, Grace & Carrie Key of Candidly Kind, Rep. Scott Hilton, and many other advocates of the Down syndrome community.

This year our gala highlighted the invaluable role that siblings play in fostering a culture of love, understanding, and acceptance. We recognize the resilience, compassion, and boundless love that siblings bring to the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Their unwavering support is a testament to the power of familial bonds, creating a foundation upon which GiGi’s Playhouse stands tall. With the spirit of this message, we could not think of a better choice to receive the SKate Award than GiGi’s brother, Franco Gianni.

As the Marketing and Development Strategist at GiGi’s Playhouse Inc., Franco Gianni is passionate about driving positive change and creating a more inclusive world. He dedicates his life to advocating for the acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. With a blend of advocacy experience, a knack for connecting people and ideas, and a strategic mindset, he strives to make meanignful impact in both professional and community settings. Franco works tirelessly to amplify voices, raise awareness, and raise funds to directly benefit the disability community with an ultimate goal of dismantling barriers and creating a more inclusive society.

In addition to his work with GiGi’s Playhouse, Franco also co-hosts and produces the podcast, A Little Something Extra, with GiGi and their mom and GiGi’s Playhouse Founder, Nancy Gianni. We also often see he and GiGi posting on social media together, cooking, hanging out, or having sleepovers at his Chicago apartment. They are truly best friends and watching their relationship is so heartening. Together they are setting an example of what acceptance and inclusion looks like. GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta was so honored to host the entire Gianni family at our ‘i have a voice’ Gala and present this year’s SKate Award to Franco.