Awards

As the nation's oldest civil rights organization, we remain a fixture in fighting for civil rights and social justice for all. Through our annual awards we highlight the achievements of individuals and our branches, trailblazers who are actively on the front lines driving progress in business, law, education, and other sectors. In honoring their work and commitment, we aim to further the legacy of our organization, while championing future generations of civil rights leaders.

Spingarn Medal

First instituted in 1914 by the late J.E. Spingarn–then NAACP Chairman of the Board of Directors– this gold medal was awarded for the highest or noblest achievement by an American Negro during the preceding year or years.

2024 Recipient: 

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Thalheimer Award

The Thalheimer Award is the NAACP's top award given to branches and units for outstanding achievements. The honors have been given annually since 1944 from a grant from Dr. Ross Thalheimer, a Johns Hopkins University instructor in philosophy and a University of Washington instructor in philosophy and Sociology.

2025 Recipients: 

• PROGRAMS
  • CLASS I.A
    • First Place: Washington, DC Branch
    • Second Place: Dayton Branch
    • Third Place: Hillsborough Branch
  • CLASS I.B
    • First Place: Fayetteville Branch
    • Second Place: Jamaica Branch
    • Third Place: Gary Branch
  • CLASS I.C
    • First Place: Aiken Branch
    • Second Place: Hanover County Branch
    • Third Place: Killeen Branch
  • CLASS 1.D
    • First Place: NY City Housing Authority Branch
    • Second Place: Lee County Branch
    • Third Place: Clinton Branch
  • CLASS III
    • First Place: New York State Conference
    • Second Place: Tennessee State Conference
    • Third Place: California-Hawaii State Conference
• PUBLICATIONS
  • CLASS I
    • First Place: Dayton Branch
    • Second Place: Washington, D.C. Branch
    • Third Place: Hillsborough Branch
  • CLASS II:
    • First Place: Killeen Branch
    • Second Place: Jacksonville Branch
    • Third Place: Hanover County Branch
  • CLASS III
    • First Place: California-Hawaii State Conference
    • Second Place: Tennessee State Conference
    • Third Place: Georgia State Conference

Montague Cobb Award

The Montague Cobb Health Advocacy award was established to honor individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in the field of health. This award shall be given annually in recognition of the legacy of Dr. W. Montague Cobb, who served as the President of the NAACP from 1976 to 1983.

2025 Recipients: 

• Dr. Uché Blackstock
• Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis
• Charles County, Maryland NAACP Branch

Bill Lucy Legacy Award

The Bill Lucy Legacy Award is presented to individuals or organizations in recognition of exceptional commitment to the principles of social and economic justice, labor rights, and community empowerment. Named in honor of inaugural recipient, Bill Lucy, this award recognizes those who have significantly advanced labor and civil rights through advocacy, leadership, and innovative practices.

Recipients of the Bill Lucy Legacy Award embody the spirit and dedication that Bill Lucy exemplified throughout his career. They have made outstanding contributions to improving the lives of workers, fostering solidarity within the labor movement, and advocating for policies that promote equality and fairness. This award celebrates the enduring impact of their work and their unwavering dedication to building a just and equitable society for all.

2025 Recipients: 

• George Gresham

Dr. Annie B. Martin Leadership Award

2025 Recipients: 

• Reverend Dr. Regena Thomas

Activist of the Year

NAACP Image Awards® nationally recognizes youth and adult members of NAACP for the work they do to improve their community, educate the masses, identify the problems, and lead the revolution to fix them. No matter how small or grand the revolution, the values and commitment of these individuals are essential to elevating the legacy and prominence of the NAACP's mission.

Legal Awards

Foot Soldier In the Sands Award

This award is given to attorneys for their generous contribution of legal expertise to the NAACP on a pro bono basis. The honorees are typically nominated by an NAACP Unit or by the NAACP Legal, where the attorney has assisted the NAACP on a National Level.

Juanita Jackson Mitchell Award for Legal Activism

Mrs. Juanita Jackson Mitchell, the first African American woman admitted to the Maryland bar, was a teacher and civil rights activist who served the NAACP as president of the Baltimore City Branch. Each year, the NAACP awards the Juanita Jackson Mitchell Legal Activism Award to an NAACP Unit for exemplary legal redress committee activities.

William Robert Ming Advocacy Award

William Robert Ming was born on May 7, 1911 in Chicago, Illinois and was one of the architects of the strategy leading to the historic decision in Brown v. Board of Education, and other landmark decisions. The Ming Award was created by the NAACP National Board of Directors in April 1974 and is awarded annually to a lawyer who exemplifies the spirit of financial and personal sacrifice that Mr. Ming displayed in his legal work for NAACP.

2025 Recipient: 

• Professor Deborah Archer

W.I.N. award

• Kiah Duggins

Roy Wilkins Renowned Service Award

• General Charles Q. Brown

Women Veterans Leadership Award

• Barbara Ward

Pride Freedom Trailblazer Award

• Karine Jean-Pierre
• Carlos King
• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
• California-Hawaii State Conference