Nominations for 112th NAACP Spingarn Medal Award Now Open
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Spingarnmedal@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON — Leon W. Russell, Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, has announced that the NAACP is calling for nominations for the 112th SPINGARN MEDAL AWARD. All nominations for the 112th Spingarn Medal Award must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2026.
The Spingarn Medal
THE SPINGARN MEDAL, awarded annually for the highest achievement of an American of African descent, was instituted in 1914 by the late J. E. Spingarn (then Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), who gave annually until his death in 1939, a gold medal to be "awarded for the highest or noblest achievement by a living American Negro during the preceding year or years in any honorable field of human endeavor." A fund sufficient to continue the award was set up by his will "to perpetuate the lifelong interest of my brother, Arthur B. Spingarn, of my wife, Amy E. Spingarn, and of myself in the achievement of the American Negro."
Purpose
The purpose of the medal is twofold – first to call the attention of the American people to the existence of distinguished merit and achievement among Americans of African descent, and secondly, to serve as a reward for such achievement, and as a stimulus to the ambition of colored youth.
Conditions
The Committee of Award, selected by the Board of Directors, is bound by no burdensome restrictions but may decide for itself each year what particular act or achievement deserves the highest acclaim; the choice is not limited to any one field, whether of intellectual, spiritual, physical, scientific, artistic, commercial, educational or other endeavor. It is intended primarily that the medal shall be for the highest achievement in the preceding year, but if no achievement in any one year seems to merit it, the Committee may award it for work achieved in preceding years or may withhold it.
The medal will be presented to the recipient at a time and place agreed upon by the awardee and the Spingarn Committee. The Committee's decision is final in all matters affecting the award.
Previous Winners
To date, 111 SPINGARN MEDALS have been awarded to living Americans of African descent for the highest achievement during the preceding year or years, in any honorable field of endeavor. Medalists include: Vice President Kamala Harris; John Lewis; Medgar Evers; Myrlie Evers-Williams; Maya Angelou; Harry Belafonte; Julian Bond; The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr.; The Honorable Robert L. Carter; The Honorable James E. Clyburn; The Honorable John Conyers; Misty Copeland; Ruby Dee; Hazel N. Dukes; John Hope Franklin; Frankie Muse Freeman; Earl G. Graves, Sr.; Patrick Gaspard; Dorothy I. Height; The Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham; The Honorable Oliver W. Hill, Sr.; Lena Horne; Rev. Jesse Jackson; Dr. Cato Laurencin; The Honorable Nathaniel R. Jones; Quincy Jones; Vernon Jordan; The Honorable Constance Baker Motley; Jessye Norman; Gordon Parks; Sidney Poitier; The Honorable Colin Powell; Percy E. Sutton; Cicely Tyson; Carl Rowan; The Honorable L. Douglas Wilder; Hazel N. Dukes; Henry Louis Gates, Oprah Winfrey and most recently, Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown.
How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations must include a detailed, current biographical profile of the nominee along with a picture, highlighting relevant activities and achievements. Supporting and verifying documents such as news clippings, honors/awards received, etc., should also be attached. This information should be clearly typewritten or printed, as it must be reproduced. The final selection of the Medalist is made by the Committee of Award. The Committee's decision is final in all matters affecting the Award.
Nominations should be submitted to the Secretary of the Committee of Award, at the NAACP National Office, by December 31, 2026 and addressed to: The Spingarn Medal Award Committee, Attention: Mildred B. Roxborough/India Artis, NAACP, 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215, (must be postmarked by December 31, 2026) or emailed to Spingarnmedal@naacpnet.org, cc: iartis@naacpnet.org. Questions may be addressed to India Artis: iartis@naacpnet.org.
About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.