Past Spingarn honoree Harry Belafonte
The NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Roslyn M. Brock has announced that the Association is soliciting nominations for the 101st Spingarn Award. All nominations for the 101st Spingarn Medal must be submitted, in writing, on or before December 31, 2015. To be accepted, the postmark date on the envelope must be no later than December 31, 2015.
The Medal, which was instituted in 1914 by the late J. E. Spingarn, then NAACP Chairman, is presented annually to the man or woman of African descent and American citizenship who has made the highest achievement during the preceding year or years, as well as consideration of an overall body of work by an individual.
The purpose of the medal is twofold – first, to call the attention of the American people to the existence of distinguished merit and achievement among Americans of African descent; and secondly – to serve as a reward for such achievement and as a stimulus to the ambition of youth of African descent.
Recent Medalists include Sidney Poitier, Maya Angelou, the late Julian Bond, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Earl G. Graves, Sr., Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey, Vernon Jordan, Honorable John Lewis, the late Honorable Constance Baker Motley, the late Honorable Robert L. Carter, the late Honorable Oliver W. Hill, Sr., Honorable John Conyers, Ruby Dee, Cicely Tyson, the late Lena Horne, Mrs. Frankie Muse Freeman, Harry Belafonte, Jessye Norman, and Quincy Jones.
Nominations must include a detailed, current biographical profile of the nominee, highlighting relevant activities and achievements. Supporting and verifying documents such as news clippings, honors received, etc., should also be attached. This information should be clearly typewritten or printed, as it must be reproduced.
The final selection of the Medalist is made by a Committee of Award, which is selected by the Association’s Board of Directors. The Committee’s decision is final in all matters affecting the Award.
Nominations should be addressed to: The Spingarn Medal Award Committee, Attention: Mrs. Mildred B. Roxborough, 340 W. 42nd Street, P.O. Box 822, New York, NY 10108.
