The NAACP and BET said Monday that Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris will receive this year’s Chairman’s Award on Saturday at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.
The award, which has been won before by the likes of Amanda Gorman, Samuel L. Jackson, John Lewis, Ruby Dee, Danny Glover, Rev. James Lawson, Tyler Perry, then-Sen. Barack Obama, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson and Rep. Maxine Waters among others, is given to individuals who excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is more than a leader — she is a force of change, driven by an unwavering passion to shape a brighter, more equitable future. It is with great honor that we present her with the Chairman’s Award at this year’s NAACP Image Awards, celebrating her relentless dedication to justice, equality, and the betterment of our society,” said Leon W. Russell, Chair, NAACP National Board of Directors. “Her legacy is built on courage, compassion, and a profound commitment to uplifting those who need it most. Her tireless advocacy for the most vulnerable among us has made her a beacon of hope and progress.”
Harris, formerly California’s attorney general and senator, made history as the first woman, Black American and South Asian American elected U.S. Vice President. In 2024, she became the first Black and South Asian woman nominated for president by a major party.
“Vice President Harris embodies the power, grace, and unyielding courage that Black women have long brought to the heart of the United States,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO. “With bold determination, Vice President Harris fights for justice, amplifies the voices of the marginalized, and stands as a beacon of hope. She embodies the resilience and brilliance of Black women, uplifting their legacy as the driving force behind change in this country. VP Harris reminds us all that when Black women lead, the entire nation rises.”
Harris joins a list of honorees that includes Dave Chappelle, who will receive the President’s Award, at Saturday’s Image Awards, which takes place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT and airing live on BET and CBS.
Going into the annual awards, which honors the best in Black achievement across entertainment, Netflix’s The Piano Lesson has a leading 14 nominations, while the marquee Entertainer of the Year category features nominees Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kevin Hart, Kendrick Lamar and Shannon Sharpe.
