He received five honorary doctorates and numerous awards, a lifetime achievement award from the University of Southern California, an induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and proclamations and citations. He received The Order of Lincoln award (the State's highest honor) on the 200th birthday celebration of Abraham Lincoln given by the Governor of Illinois in 2009. He authored twelve books of his art. A documentary on his jazz painting, "The Big Band", had its world premiere in Los Angeles in February, 2009.