With a resounding round of applause as she won the Chairman’s Award, the former vice president declared, “That story will not be written simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office or wealthiest among us.” As citizens, you will write the story of America.
On hand to accept the Chairman’s Award at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards, former vice president and 2024 Democratic presidential contender Kamala Harris received a hero’s reception that included multiple standing ovations and thunderous applause.
The NAACP board of directors chair, Leon W. Russell, introduced Harris, who was seated in the audience with his husband, Doug Emhoff.
Russell praised Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, saying, “Against impossible odds, she gave America a campaign that was a force of nature.” Harris rose to the top of the Democratic ticket in late July after President Joe Biden canceled his reelection candidacy. “No one else deserves our gratitude more than she did, and no one else could have achieved what she did.”
Naturally, Harris lost to President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, in the general election. After a campaign that lasted around 100 days, she did, however, receive over 75 million votes.
Despite her uncertain political future, Harris has been mentioned as a possible 2026 California governor contender. She may potentially decide to run for president once more in 2028.
She came home to California last month after leaving office, and she has been spotted assisting the neighborhoods of Los Angeles in their efforts to recover from the horrific wildfires.
Last month, she was one of the celebrities that attended the FireAid gala in Los Angeles. Also, the 2025 NAACP Image Awards 2025 will be her first significant television appearance since she stepped down.
Harris, who “will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come,” was described by Russell as a “leader on the causes that truly matter, a strong voice for the powerless and a fighter for all of us.”
Harris accepted her award after a career highlight reel in which the show’s announcer praised her for providing people with “the promise of a new dawn and better tomorrow,” calling her the “first woman from our community” to become a major political party presidential nominee and for “winning” her debate against Trump on September 10.
Harris, wearing a black pantsuit, declared herself a “proud lifetime member of the NAACP” during her second standing ovation (the first occurred when Russell announced her as this year’s honoree).
She continued by talking about the history of the organization and how it has evolved to the present.
“This organization was founded at a time when our nation was dealing with issues of hatred, resentment, and greed,” she remarked. “Those who founded the NAACP and continued its legacy were fully aware of the pressures they faced. The route would be quite stony, no mistaking that.
She added, “But some people look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history.” Some people wonder, ‘What do we do now?’ after observing the fires on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, and the shadows looming over our democracy. However, because we have already done it and will do it again, we know exactly what to do.
We advocate, educate, mobilize, and organize,” she added. It has never been an easy path that has given us power. We are strong because we have trust in the Creator, in one another, and in our ability to resist cynicism and destruction. Not because it’s simple, but because it’s essential. Not because winning is certain, but because it’s worth the struggle.
“While we are fully conscious of the challenges we face in this chapter of our American history, this chapter will not be written solely by the person claiming the Oval Office or the wealthiest among us,” she continued. You, us, and the people alone will write the story of America.
As a political leader, Harris concluded her speech by saying, “May God bless you and the United States of America.”
Outstanding public servants who have used their positions to effect significant change are honored with the Chairman’s Award.
Deon Cole is hosting the 56th NAACP Image Awards, which will be held in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday night. The program will be broadcast on BET and CBS at 8 p.m.