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.

2024 Recipients: 

• FIRST PLACE
  • CLASS I: 7001-B Washington, D.C. Branch
  • CLASS II: 5192-B Dekalb County Branch
  • CLASS III: 1021-SC California-Hawaii State Conference
• SECOND PLACE
  • CLASS I: 3175-B Cincinnati Branch
  • CLASS II: 7047-B Arlington Branch
  • CLASS III: 5621-SC Tennessee State Conference
• THIRD PLACE
  • CLASS II: 5488-B Aiken Branch
  • CLASS III: 2308-SC New York 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.

2024 Recipients: 

• National Nomination
  • Dr. Rose Blackburne-Covington, National Health Committee; Maryland State Conference
• State Nomination
  • Jacquie Easley Mcghee, IA-NE NAACP Area Conference Health Chair
• Individual Nomination
  • Dr. Thea James, NAACP Boston 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.

2024 Recipients: 

• William "Bill" Lucy - Inaugural Recipient

Benjamin L. Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award

The NAACP Benjamin L. Hooks "Keeper of the Flame" Award was established in 1992 in honor of the late Benjamin Lawson Hooks, the fifth Executive Director of the NAACP (1977-1992). This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional service in advancing the objectives of the NAACP, the labor movement, and the NAACP Labor Committee.

The award is presented to individuals who:

• Distinguish themselves by making significant contributions to racial equality and fairness in the workplace and society.
• Enthusiastically support civil rights, worker rights, and justice for all people.
• Foster and encourage positive outcomes in civic engagement and the political process, locally and/or nationally.
• Display outstanding leadership qualities.
• Uphold and practice the tenets of a democratic society, including the belief that all people are created equal and that freedom is a God-given right that must be vigilantly protected at all times and at all levels of government.

2024 Recipients: 

• Bobby Bivens
• Brendien Mitchell
• Charles F. Spencer
• Tom Savage

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.

2023 Recipients: 

• Activist of the Year
  • Derrick Lee Foward
• Youth Activist of the Year
  • Bradley Ross Jackson

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.