Former Vice President Kamala Harris will make her first major appearance since leaving office on Jan. 20 to accept the Chairman’s Award during the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 22. The show will air live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. This year, the broadcast will be extended 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.
The Chairman’s Award honors individuals who “excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.” Past honorees include then-Sen. Barack Obama (2005), former VP Al Gore in tandem with Kenyan social, environmental and political activist Wangari Waathati, Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the late Rep. John Lewis, Rev. James Lawson, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Rep. Maxine Waters and former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin.
Previously announced special award recipients at this year’s NAACP Image Awards are comedian Dave Chappelle (President’s Award) and The Wayans Family (NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame).
Harris made history as the first woman, Black person and South Asian person to become vice president. She previously served as U.S. Senator and California Attorney General. In 2024, she became the first Black and South Asian woman nominated for president by a major party, receiving more than 75 million votes in what BET reminds us was “the shortest modern general election campaign.” President Biden was fully expected to be the Democratic nominee until a shaky debate performance on June 27 caused many, even in his own party, to call for a new nominee. Biden withdrew on July 21. Harris was voted the party’s nominee by delegates on Aug. 5, just three months before Election Day.
“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,” Leon W. Russell, chair, NAACP national board of directors said in a statement. “… 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. “… 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.
“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.”
Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Hart and Shannon Sharpe are competing for entertainer of the year at this year’s NAACP Image Awards. GloRilla received the most nominations in the music/recording categories, with six, followed by Doechii, Lamar and Usher, with four nods each. RCA Records received 11 nominations, the most among record labels.
NAACP will recognize winners in non-televised categories virtually on Tuesday, Feb. 18, and Wednesday, Feb. 19, on its YouTube channel and at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors Friday, Feb. 21.
