VP Kamala Harris Receives NAACP Chairman's Award

Former Vice President Kamala Harris made her first public appearance since last year’s election at the NAACP Image Awards. While accepting the Chairman’s Award, she spoke vaguely of the Felon-in-Chief but encouraged viewers and the Black community to take a stand.

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According to Variety, the NAACP Chairman’s Award is given to people who “excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.” Before running for President in 2024, Harris had a successful career as an attorney, California’s attorney’s general, and U.S. Senator. Her dedication to public service continued as she became the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian American to hold the office of Vice President. Though did not come out on top in the most recent election, she remains a beacon of light as people fear for the future of this country.

Source: Gilbert Flores / Getty

During her acceptance speech, Harris not only graciously received the honor but also reminded the room of the NAACP’s history. As a lifetime member of the organization, she detailed the mission of the NAACP’s founding members.

“As everyone here may know, I grew up inspired by the work of the NAACP. Inspired by all those who took up the fight for justice, for equality, and for opportunity. Their example is part of the reason I chose a life of public service,” she said. “Seeking to always live by the words of a distinguished NAACP founder, W.E.B. DuBois:

“It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year.’ This sense of urgency is what we must have today.”

As she continued, she warned viewers and attendees to not become disillusioned by the state of the country, but to stay vigilant. Reciting the quote, “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” she made it clear that the fight we face is the same fight fought in the ’60s and ’70s. She reminded everyone that those who established the NAACP “had no illusions about the forces they were up against.” Still, they sought truth and justice — something we can do again.

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“Some look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history,” Harris said. “Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy, and ask, ‘What do we do now?’ But we know exactly what to do because we have done it before, and we will do it again. We use our power. We organize, we mobilize, we educate, and we advocate.”

“While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter in our American story, 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 you, written by us, we the people.”