Carl Lewis, Terry McMillan Among Next California Hall of Fame Inductees

The new class of honorees includes Olympic legend and acclaimed novelist.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:19pm

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Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced the newest class of the California Hall of Fame, recognizing prominent figures in sports, entertainment, literature, and public service whose achievements have shaped the state's culture and influence. Among the inductees are Olympic track and field legend Carl Lewis, who won 10 Olympic medals across four Games, and best-selling author Terry McMillan, whose acclaimed novels like Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back helped elevate stories centered on Black women and reshaped contemporary American literature.

Why it matters

The California Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the state's cultural landscape through their pioneering work and influence. The induction of Lewis and McMillan highlights the state's rich history in sports and literature, and the ceremony will celebrate their lasting impact on California and beyond.

The details

The inductees will be formally honored during a ceremony on March 19 at the California Museum in Sacramento. Lewis is widely regarded as one of the greatest American athletes, dominating sprinting and long jump competitions during the 1980s and early 1990s. McMillan is a best-selling author known for her influential novels that helped reshape contemporary American literature by centering the stories of Black women.

  • The inductees will be formally honored during a ceremony on March 19, 2026.
  • Last week, the new class of the California Hall of Fame was announced.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California.

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

The First Partner of California.

Carl Lewis

An Olympic track and field legend who won 10 Olympic medals (nine gold, one silver) across four Olympic Games and dominated sprinting and long jump competitions during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Terry McMillan

A best-selling author known for her influential novels like Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, which helped elevate stories centered on Black women and reshaped contemporary American literature.

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The takeaway

The induction of Lewis and McMillan into the California Hall of Fame celebrates the state's rich history in sports and literature, and the lasting impact these pioneering figures have had on California and the broader cultural landscape.