Former Vice President Kamala Harris will be honored with the Chairman’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards.
Harris will accept the prestigious honor, in her first TV appearance since leaving office, during the 56th Image Awards ceremony on Feb. 22, airing live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS.
The Chairman’s Award honors individuals who “excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.” The Oakland-born Harris served as California Attorney General and U.S. Senator before making history as the first woman, Black American and South Asian American to serve as U.S. vice president (with President Joe Biden). Then in 2024, Harris ran another historic campaign as the first Black and South Asian woman to be nominated by a major party for president.
“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 of the 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.”
Past Chairman’s Award honorees include Amanda Gorman, Samuel L. Jackson, the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, Ruby Dee, Danny Glover, Rev. James Lawson, Tyler Perry, then-Senator Barack Obama, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin.
Scott Mills, president and CEO of BET Media Group, said Harris is deserving of the award for “both her historic accomplishments and her incredible legacy of service to America and our community” and described it as a “privilege” to honor her alongside the NAACP. “Her unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and progress has inspired millions, and her journey is a powerful testament to that which can be achieved through resilience, strength, and brilliance,” Mills concluded.
Added NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson: “Vice President Harris embodies the power, grace, and unyielding courage that Black women have long brought to the heart of the United States. 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.”
Other special honorees at this year’s Image Awards include trailblazing comedian Dave Chappelle, who will be awarded NAACP President’s Award, while the Wayans family — namely Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. — will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.
This year, the broadcast will be extended by 30 minutes to two and a half hours, with the ceremony also used to drive support for the Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Pasadena communities affected by the recent wildfires. BET Media Group, NAACP, Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole and WME partnered with L.A. County and collaborated with local community organizations, including Community Aid Dena, Altadena Heritage and WalkGood LA, to launch the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, which is aimed at protecting homeowners from displacement and preserving the community’s cultural heritage.
