Gift of giving is a creative incintive

Kevina Love Franklin is a visionary leader who seamlessly bridges the worlds of amateur boxing, community advocacy, education, and the arts. As a certified USA Boxing official and President of Henry For Music, she infuses every endeavor with purpose, passion, and integrity—from ringside officiating to nonprofit leadership, creative mentorship, and live performance.

Her work continues to inspire those around her, creating meaningful change across multiple fields while staying rooted in values of service, equity, and empowerment.

Kevina Love Franklin is a highly respected figure in amateur boxing, with a career that spans 25 years. Though some have tried to quiet her family’s legacy, she continues to be a driving force for integrity, equity, innovation, and mentorship—leading with unwavering purpose on and off the canvas.

She began training as an official at age 16 under the guidance of her father, Kevin L. Franklin, who was her primary mentor in the sport. Evelyn, her sister, provided peer-to-peer mentorship, supporting her growth during this time. Kevina became certified the weekend of her 18th birthday, which aligned with the Georgia Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions—a milestone weekend in which she both earned her credentials and stepped into the ring as an official for the first time.

Since then, she has served in many officiating capacities, including referee, judge, timekeeper, weighmistress, clerk, supervisor, matchmaker, and clinician (trainer of judges and referees). Her officiating experience spans community programs, national championships, Olympic-style training camps, and international dual meets. Throughout her career, she has consistently contributed to the development of training materials and mentorship pathways for both athletes and officials.

Mentorships have cultivated Kevina as an official and as a person, shaping her commitment to the sport and her ability to lead with purpose and integrity.

In addition to her officiating roles, Kevina served as Secretary of the Georgia Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), becoming the second Secretary in the organization’s history. She innovated the calendar communications initially established by the first Secretary—systems that continue to be used today. Throughout her time in this role, Kevina worked to uphold integrity and inclusivity, ensuring that both athletes and officials were represented with fairness and respect.

Kevina’s family has robustly shaped amateur boxing through education, innovation, and service. Her father, Kevin L. Franklin, served as USA Boxing’s National Chief of Officials, Ringside World Championships Chief of Officials, and is a member of the United States Marine Corps Boxing Hall of Fame. Her mother, Angel Franklin, served as the National Trainer for USA Boxing Timekeepers and worked as an international official and mentor.

Her siblings—Malady, Evelyn, Angel, Kevin, and Joy—have all contributed meaningfully to the sport as officials, boxers, clerks, and event staff. Together, the Franklin family volunteered regularly at the Georgia Games, a space where their passion and commitment came together as a team.

Kevina and her father developed a tournament assignment matrix that brought structure, clarity, and efficiency to officiating assignments. Though no longer widely used due to political fallout and lack of public acknowledgment, its impact remains a testament to their innovation.

Kevina, her father Kevin, and her mother Angel were each inducted into the Georgia Amateur Boxing Association Hall of Fame in different years, a rare achievement reflecting their individual excellence and shared impact on the sport.

Kevina served one full term as GABA Secretary and, after being re-elected, faced efforts to discredit her when she refused to compromise her integrity under the new leadership. These efforts, supported by some at the national level, were aimed at undermining her and her family’s long-standing contributions to the sport, despite their unwavering dedication.

A grievance process at the national level revealed deep flaws, including conflicts of interest and a system that cost both money and trust. Rather than risk another unjust outcome, Kevina shifted her focus toward creating long-term solutions. She now advocates for the creation of an ombudsman for officials, aiming to establish a more transparent and fair path for resolving disputes.

Despite the challenges, Kevina has remained steadfast in her commitment to the sport she loves, with her resolve growing stronger over time. Throughout her career, Kevina has received multiple awards for outstanding officiating, both with and without formal ceremonies or public recognition. These accolades include becoming an international official and receiving the Outstanding Referee Award at the National Golden Gloves and Police Athletic Leagues Boxing Championships, among others. Her dedication to the sport and advocacy for fair treatment endures—regardless of public acknowledgment.

Kevina serves on the USA Boxing Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) as Social Media Manager, strategist, and communications liaison. Her work centers on athlete visibility, equity, and meaningful storytelling, ensuring that athletes are equipped with social media content that fosters leadership development. This includes providing tips, tricks, and thoughtful reflections, helping athletes use their platform for growth, influence, and positive leadership within the boxing community. 

“Athletes already have a voice—I just help amplify it. Supporting their presence and perspective keeps me engaged and hopeful.” 

Kevina continues to mentor officials around the country, while honoring the influence of mentors who shaped her—including her father and others who championed her growth when others tried to silence her.

Kevina also hosts Henry County Olympic and Paralympic Day, an inclusive, family-focused sports celebration held on behalf of GABA that connects Olympic values with local community engagement.

Kevina registers with USA Boxing annually, consistently upholding her commitment to the sport and the broader athlete community. Her passion for boxing continues to drive her efforts to amplify athletes’ voices, advocate for fairness, and inspire others to lead with integrity.

Kevina follows in the footsteps of her father, a member of the United States Marine Corps Boxing Hall of Fame, in advocating for athletes. His experience has shown her what it means to need leadership support, and his service to the sport has provided Kevina with a blueprint for her own work. She also draws inspiration from her mother, whose ability to nurture athletes while respecting her role as an official has been a beautiful example of balance and dedication.

“My connection to the athletes extends beyond the ring—through joy, struggle, and reflection. Through moments of celebration, challenge, and even grief, growing up in the sport taught me how boxing shapes life, and how the ring reflects that particular shaping. The mutual respect we build together reveals how we serve in the sport of amateur boxing. And I love that boxers have shared that they feel seen, heard, and supported in recognizing how my family incorporates our ethical values into the sport on their behalf.”

Kevina served one full term as GABA Secretary, and after her re-election, she faced efforts to discredit her when she refused to compromise her integrity under new leadership. These actions, supported by some at the national level, sought to diminish both her and her family’s longstanding contributions to the sport. 

A grievance process revealed systemic flaws, including conflicts of interest and a system that cost both money and trust. In response, Kevina shifted her focus toward long-term solutions, advocating for the creation of an ombudsman for officials to ensure fairer, more transparent dispute resolution.

Despite these challenges, Kevina has remained unwavering in her commitment to the sport. She continues to advocate for fairness, integrity, and transparency within boxing, aiming to leave a lasting, positive impact on both athletes and officials.

Beyond boxing, Kevina’s commitment to community empowerment is evident in her work with Henry For Music, where she provides free musical instruments and music education to underserved youth. Through DollBaby’s Love Joy Jewell, a group formed with her sisters in honor of their grandmothers, Kevina combines her passion for music with community leadership. Their performances, available on YouTube, reflect the spirit of unity and artistic expression.

Kevina is also deeply involved in initiatives like Olympic and Paralympic Day, connecting athletes, officials, and coaches with grassroots, hands-on learning. This event emphasizes Olympic values, community engagement, and youth leadership, creating a platform for the next generation of leaders to thrive.

For more than 20 years, Kevina has performed the national anthem at boxing events, often in duet with her mother. She reflects:

“Sometimes when we sing together, the harmony intertwines so intricately that it sends chills down my spine. I feel the weight of tradition, love, and legacy in our voices.”

Kevina sings with her entire family and co-leads DollBaby’s Love Joy Jewell, a group formed with her sisters in honor of their grandmothers. Their recorded performances, available on YouTube, reflect the spirit and unity she brings to every space she enters.

Additionally, Kevina has recruited other performers to sing the National Anthem at various boxing events around the country, further amplifying the connection between music and the sport.

Kevina is developing two creative platforms that embody her mission of interdisciplinary empowerment:

• ARTSinclusive – A platform dedicated to creative equity across arts, trades, sports, and vocations. ARTSinclusive is designed to help people embrace their passions, align them with their dreams, and say “yes” to every possibility.

• Anatomy of a Song Magazine – A publication that dives into the rhythm, discipline, and cultural resonance of both music and athletic performance. This magazine holds space for the boxing community, celebrating how sport and music intertwine, and creating a space where the rhythm of sport can be explored alongside musical storytelling.

Through both platforms, Kevina continues to bridge the worlds of art, sport, and community, fostering creativity and empowering others to live out their dreams—both inside and outside the ring.