The President’s Award is presented in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. Previous recipients include Usher, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Rihanna, LeBron James, Kerry Washington, Spike Lee, Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, and Ms. Lauryn Hill.

“The President’s Award honors an unwavering dedication to community, and throughout his distinguished career, Dave Chappelle has consistently been recognized as a powerful voice of social consciousness,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “Through his unique ability to transform complex political issues into thought-provoking humor, Dave has solidified his place as one of the most impactful voices of our time. His work sparks conversations that compel people to examine their own beliefs, proving that in an age where open dialogue is increasingly rare, comedy can be both a powerful truth-teller and a driver of progress.”

By visiting www.naacpimageawards.net, the public can vote to determine the winners of the “56th NAACP Image Awards” in select categories. Winners will be revealed during the “56th NAACP Image Awards” telecast on Saturday, February 22, live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET and CBS. This year, the broadcast will be extended 30 minutes to 2.5 hours. NAACP will also recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories virtually on Tuesday, February 18 and Wednesday, Feb 19 at youtube.com/naacpimageawards and at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors Friday, February 21. For information and updates, follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the “56th NAACP Image Awards” will continue a tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to that purpose.

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years’ attendees and winners include Ava DuVernay, Gabrielle Union, Dwayne Wade, Courtney B. Vance, Sherri Shepherd, Colman Domingo, Mike Epps, Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Usher, Tyler Perry, Angela Bassett, Damson Idris, Michelle Buteau, Victoria Monét, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks, and many more.

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