Former Vice President Kamala Harris will receive the NAACP’s prestigious Chairman’s Award during the 2025 NAACP Image Awards.
The award recognizes people who have excelled in public service and leveraged their platforms to drive meaningful change.
It has previously been given to such figures as Samuel L. Jackson, Tyler Perry, Danny Glover, Ruby Dee, Amanda Gorman, Rev. James Lawson, then-Senator Barack Obama, former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin and members of Congress such as Bennie G. Thompson, Maxine Waters and the late John Lewis.
Harris, the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as vice president and a major political party’s presidential nominee, was elevated to the top of the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket in July after President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid. While she ultimately lost the general election to the Republican candidate, President Donald Trump, she received more than 75 million votes after a campaign that lasted roughly 100 days.
“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,” NAACP board of directors chair Leon W. Russell 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.”
During her time as vice president, Harris championed reproductive rights, gun safety, voting rights and economic opportunity. Previously, as a U.S. senator and the California Attorney General, she fought for housing relief, health care access and criminal justice reform.
“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 said in a statement. “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.”
While Harris’ political future remains unknown, she’s been discussed as a potential candidate for California governor in 2026. There’s also the possibility she could run for president again in 2028. Since leaving office last month, she returned to her home state of California where she’s been seen helping the Los Angeles communities recover from the devastating wildfires. She was among the star-studded attendees of the FireAid benefit in L.A. last month. The 2025 NAACP Image Awards, however, will mark her first major TV event since she left office.
“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,” BET Media Group president and CEO Scott Mills said in a statement. “It is a privilege to join the NAACP in recognizing Vice President Harris. 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.”
The awards will also support the Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Pasadena communities affected by the recent L.A. wildfires. The NAACP, BET Media Group, WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett and Kole (JSSK) have partnered with L.A. County and — in collaboration with organizations like Community Aid Dena, Altadena Heritage and WalkGood LA — launched the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, designed to protect homeowners from displacement and preserve the community’s cultural heritage.
The 56th NAACP Image Awards is set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with the ceremony set to air live on BET and CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Winners will also be recognized in non-televised categories presented virtually on Feb. 18-19 and at the Creative Honors on Friday, Feb. 21.