Tennis Legend Serena Williams Named Jackie Robinson Sports Award Recipient for 54th NAACP Image Awards

BEVERLY HILLS, CA (February 23, 2023) – Today, the NAACP announced that 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams will receive the prestigious Jackie Robinson Sports Award during the "54th NAACP Image Awards" airing Saturday, February 25th, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET on BET and 8:00 PM PT on delay.

The Jackie Robinson Sports Award is presented to individuals in sports for their high achievement in athletics in addition to their contributions in the pursuit of social justice, civil rights and community involvement, with previous recipients including Steph Curry, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilma Rudolph and Harlem Globetrotters, among others.

"Serena Williams is the quintessential example of Black excellence," said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. "From her record-breaking wins on the tennis court to her business acumen to her philanthropic endeavors, she has set the bar for athletes everywhere. We are proud to honor and celebrate her with this year's Jackie Robinson Sports Award."

Serena Williams has overcome insurmountable odds to win 23 career Grand Slams. Her tennis achievements, combined with her off-court success in business, philanthropy and fashion, make her one of the most recognizable icons in the world. In November 2021, Williams served as an executive producer on the Academy Award®- nominated film KING RICHARD, a biopic based on her family. In March 2022, Serena Ventures launched its venture capital fund and currently maintains a portfolio of over 60 companies with a focus on diverse leadership. Williams' fashion brand, S by Serena, celebrates body positivity and female empowerment. Williams recently became a published author with the release of her children's book The Adventures of Qai Qai. In December of 2022 Williams announced that she had teamed up with two CPG veterans to launch Will Perform, a line of clean, cruelty-free topical pain relief and daily muscle care solutions designed to reimagine recovery.

Artist, actress, producer, author, and entrepreneur Queen Latifah will host the "54th NAACP Image Awards" premiering live Saturday, February 25 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on BET. The LIVE show will also simulcast across Paramount Global networks including BET HER, CBS, CMT, Comedy Central, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, POP TV, Smithsonian, TV Land, and VH1. NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually until February 24 on www.naacpimageawards.net and at an Awards Dinner and Program on February 24.

The "54th NAACP Image Awards" is presented by Wells Fargo and sponsored by Bank of America, Gushers, Google, Airbnb, Amazon, FedEx, Lowe's, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Audible, Bacardi and Mielle.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural awards shows, the "54th 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 Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, Wizkid, Lizzo, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry & Meghan Markle, Jamie Foxx, Chloe x Halle, Regé-Jean Page, Daniel Kaluuya, Michaela Coel, Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Blair Underwood, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Loni Love, Sheryl Underwood, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jill Scott, H.E.R., Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Loretta Devine, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, the late Chadwick Boseman, and many more.

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ABOUT NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.

NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis | NAACPImageAwards@sunshinesachs.com

Chyna Fields | cfields@naacpnet.org

Chloe Duverge | chloe.duverge@bet.net

Luis Defrank | luis.defrank@bet.net