Vince Ferguson Reflects on His 1994 Children's Choice Awards with Michael Jackson
Vince Ferguson is the CEO of Bodysculpt of NY and founder of Brooklyn's Children's Sports & Fitness Expo and Children's Choice Awards. In 1994, the awards reached a historic peak when Michael Jackson attended in person to accept his honor. Here, Vince reflects on his time with Michael.
For Vince Ferguson, the work has never been simply about fitness. It has always been about purpose — about giving young people the confidence, discipline, and self-awareness they need to rise into their full potential.
Long before he became widely recognized for Six Weeks to Fitness or for his unwavering commitment to fighting childhood obesity through Body Sculpt of New York, Vince was already building something far more expansive than a program.
He was building a platform for children to see themselves reflected in excellence.
That vision took shape in 1993, when he created the Children’s Choice Awards through Body Sculpt of New York. It was born from a simple but astute belief: children should have role models who inspire them to dream higher and live better.
In the years that followed, the event became distinguished by its uncommon structure and its moral clarity.
Every honoree had to appear in person.
Children, not executives or sponsors, stood onstage to present the awards.
And education was given its rightful place beside celebrity, with outstanding teachers recognized alongside some of the most visible names in music, sports, film, fashion, and public life.
The result was an awards program unlike the glossy spectacles of Hollywood.
It was participatory.
It was educational.
And it was deeply human.
Children across the New York tri-state area voted for the people they believed represented strength, talent, and character, and the response was extraordinary.
Tens of thousands of young people took part, sending a clear message about the kind of leadership they admired.
Among the honorees were Michael Jackson, Brandy, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Mario Cuomo, and Tommy Hilfiger, each appearing before an audience that understood the significance of being seen and heard.
That evening in 1994 remains one of the great milestones of Vince Ferguson’s career.
It was not merely an awards ceremony; it was a cultural moment, shaped by a commitment to youth, accountability, and hope.
And when Michael Jackson arrived to accept the Caring for Kids Award, the room did more than react.
It recognized that children had made their voices impossible to ignore.
Read the highly anticipated full interview with Vince Ferguson to be published in VINCE on July 5th.
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