Kamala Harris Honored at NAACP Image Awards with Chairman's Award

Image credits: The Independent

Former Vice President Kamala Harris was honored at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards with the Chairman's Award, which is given to individuals who excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change. Harris attended the ceremony celebrating Black excellence and received the award, saying it is special to her because she grew up inspired by the work of the NAACP, and the group is part of the reason she chose a life of public service. She continued that Americans must have the same sense of urgency today that the NAACP's founders did, knowing that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

Harris urged viewers not to surrender to cynicism and destruction, saying that Americans must use their power to drive meaningful change. She added that the strength of the American people flows from their faith in God, faith in each other, and their refusal to surrender to destruction, not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. Harris also said that the current chapter in the American story will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office, nor by the wealthiest among us, but by we the people. She received a standing ovation as she came on stage to accept the award, with NAACP board of directors chair Leon W. Russell praising her 2024 presidential campaign and saying she will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come.

The ceremony also honored other notable figures, including Dave Chappelle, who received the president's award, and Keke Palmer, who won the award for entertainer of the year. Tyler Perry's movie "The Six Triple Eight" also won several awards, including best picture and best actress for Kerry Washington. Washington said the evening was about all of us being called into our greatness and encouraged the audience to remember their greatness, because that's what the fight is for. The event was a celebration of Black excellence and a call to action for Americans to use their power to drive meaningful change.

Harris's speech was seen as a powerful call to action, urging Americans to use their power to drive meaningful change and to not surrender to cynicism and destruction. Her words were met with a standing ovation, and her award was seen as a recognition of her dedication to public service and her commitment to driving meaningful change. The event was also a celebration of the NAACP's work and its continued relevance in today's society. As Harris said, the American story will be written by we the people, and it is up to Americans to use their power to drive meaningful change and create a better future for all.

In addition to the awards ceremony, Harris has also been in the news recently for signing with the Creative Arts Agency, which will work closely with her on her post-White House initiatives and expand her platform in support of the issues she has championed throughout her career. Her post-White House plans are still not clear, but she has reportedly told her advisers to keep her options open for either another presidential bid or a gubernatorial run in California. With her powerful speech at the NAACP Image Awards and her continued commitment to public service, Harris remains a prominent figure in American politics and a powerful voice for change.