Former Vice President and 2024 EBONY Power 100 cover star Kamala Harris will be honored with the Chairman’s Award during the 56th NAACP Image Awards, airing live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22. It will be Harris’ first TV appearance or major event since leaving the White House.
The Chairman’s Award honors individuals who excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.
Harris made history as the first woman, Black American and South Asian American U.S. Vice President during the Biden-Harris Administration. She championed reproductive rights, gun safety, voting rights and economic opportunity while leading job creation and global diplomacy.
During her tenure, she helped achieve record job growth and cast tie-breaking votes to pass lower prescription drug costs, historic climate, and infrastructure investments.
In 2024, she became the first Black and South Asian woman nominated for president by a major party, receiving over 75 million votes in the shortest modern general election campaign.
“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.”
“Vice President Harris is deeply deserving of the NAACP Chairman’s awards for both her historic accomplishments and her incredible legacy of service to America and our community,” added Scott Mills, president and CEO of BET Media Group.
“Vice President Harris embodies the power, grace, and unyielding courage that Black women have long brought to the heart of the United States,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson concluded. “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.”
The 56th NAACP Image Awards will air live on Saturday, February 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT from California’s Pasadena Civic Auditorium on BET and CBS. This year, the broadcast will be extended 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.
