Former Vice President Kamala Harris attended the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night with a message of resilience to the people of the United States.
While accepting the Chairman’s Award, Harris said, “This chapter will be written, not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office, nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by We the People.”
A section of the media reported the comment as a swipe at President Donald Trump and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, who is leading a major reform through the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE.
Harris recalled that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, came into being at a moment when the US “struggled with greed, bitterness and hatred”.
The ex-VP said those who initiated the NAACP “had no illusions about the forces they were up against, no illusions about how stony the road would be.” The organization was formed in 1909 to advance justice for African Americans.
The NAACP Image Awards – Chairman’s Award is given to individuals who have displayed exemplary dedication to public service and use their platform or position for justice and social change.
Previous winners include former President Barack Obama, Samuel L. Jackson, Amanda Gorman, John Lewis, Ruby Dee, Danny Glover, Rev. James Lawson, and Tyler Perry, among others.
Honored alongside Harris at Saturday’s event were the Wayans family, which was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame for their contributions to film, TV, and stand-up comedy.
Members of the family recognized at the star-studded ceremony were Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans, and Shawn Wayans.
