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Spingarn Medal
Award for the highest achievement of an American of African descent
Award for the highest achievement of an American of African descent
The Spingarn Medal is awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for an outstanding achievement by an African American. The award was created in 1914 by Joel Elias Spingarn, chairman of the board of directors of the NAACP. It was first awarded to biologist Ernest E. Just in 1915, and has been given most years thereafter.
At its annual convention, the NAACP presents the award after deciding from open nominations. Should the organization end, it would be managed by Howard or Fisk Universities. The gold medal is valued at $100, and Spingarn left $20,000 () in his will for the NAACP to continue giving it indefinitely.
List of recipients
| Year | Picture | Name | Rationale | No award given | No award given | No award given | No award given | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1915 | [[File:Ernest Everett Just.jpg | 100px | Ernest Everett Just]] | "Head of Physiology, Howard University Medical School for research in biology." | ||||||
| 1916 | [[File:Charles.Young.1919.jpg | 100px | Charles Young]] | "Services in organizing the Liberian Constabulary and roads in the Republic of Liberia." | ||||||
| 1917 | [[File:Maud Cuney Hare-Harry T Burleigh 328.jpg | 100px | Harry Burleigh]] | "Excellence in the field of creative music." | ||||||
| 1918 | [[File:William Stanley Braithwaite.jpg | 100px | William Braithwaite]] | "Distinguished achievements in literature." | ||||||
| 1919 | [[File:Archibald Grimké.jpg | 100px | Archibald Grimké]] | "U.S. Consul in Santo Domingo; President of American Negro Academy; for seventy years of distinguished service to his race and country." | ||||||
| 1920 | [[File:WEB DuBois 1918.jpg | 100px | W. E. B. Du Bois]] | "Author, Editor Crisis Magazine; founding and calling of Pan-African Congress." | ||||||
| 1921 | [[File:Gilpin-The-Emperor-Jones-1920.jpg | 100px | Charles Sidney Gilpin as Brutus Jones]] | "Notable performance in the title role of The Emperor Jones and for excellence as an actor." | ||||||
| 1922 | [[File:Mary Burnett Talbert.jpg | 100px | Mary Burnett Talbert]] | "Former President of the National Association of Colored Women and for continued service to women of color." | ||||||
| 1923 | [[File:George Washington Carver c1910 - Restoration.jpg | 100px | George Washington Carver]] | "Head of Department of Research and Director of the Experiment Station of Tuskegee Inst. For researching Agricultural Chemistry." | ||||||
| 1924 | [[File:Roland Hayes by Van Vechten.jpg | 100px | Roland Hayes]] | "Singer; for artistry through interpreting Negro folk song; soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra." | ||||||
| 1925 | [[File:(Portrait of James Weldon Johnson) (LOC) - Flickr - The Library of Congress.jpg | 100px | James Weldon Johnson]] | "Former U.S. Consul in Venezuela and Nicaragua; former editor and secretary of NAACP." | ||||||
| 1926 | [[File:Carter G Woodson portrait.jpg | 100px | Carter G. Woodson]] | "Historian and Founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History; editor, Negro Orators and Their Orations for his outstanding work as an historian." | ||||||
| 1927 | [[File:Anthony Overton.png | frameless | 139x139px]] | "President of Victory Life Insurance Company, the first black company certified by the state of New York." | ||||||
| 1928 | [[File:Charles W Chesnutt 40.jpg | 100px | Charles W. Chesnutt]] | "Author; for his pioneer work as a literary artist, depicting the life and struggle of Americans of Negro descent." | ||||||
| 1929 | [[File:Mordecai Wyatt Johnson.jpg | 100px | Mordecai Wyatt Johnson]] | "President of Howard University. For distinguished leadership as first black president." | ||||||
| 1930 | [[File:Portrait of Henry Alexander Hunt.png | 100px | Henry A. Hunt]] | "Principal of the Fort Valley High and Industrial School, Fort Valley, GA. For twenty-five years of service in the education of black students." | ||||||
| 1931 | "For his fine and reverent characterization of the Lord in Marc Connelly's Play – The Green Pastures." | |||||||||
| 1932 | [[File:Robert Russa Moton, 1916.jpg | 100px | Robert Russa Moton]] | "Principal of the Tuskegee Institute. For excellent leadership and service in the field of education." | ||||||
| 1933 | [[File:Max Yergan.jpg | 100px | Max Yergan]] | "American Y.M.C.A. Secretary; missionary of intelligence, tact and self-sacrifice. For the excellence of his work in Africa." | ||||||
| 1934 | [[File:William T. B. Williams(Cropped).jpg | frameless | 126x126px]] | "Dean of Tuskegee Institute, long service as field agent of the Slater and Jeanes Funds and the General Education Board." | ||||||
| 1935 | [[File:Mary McLeod Bethune by Carl Van Vechten.jpg | 100px | Mary McLeod Bethune]] | "Founder and President of Bethune Cookman College. For outstanding leadership and service to education." | ||||||
| 1936 | [[File:John Hope - Morehouse.jpg | 100px | John Hope]] | "President of Atlanta University; distinguished leader of his race." | ||||||
| 1937 | [[File:Walter Francis White.jpg | 100px | Walter Francis White]] | "Executive Secretary of NAACP. For his personal investigation of more than forty-one lynchings." | ||||||
| 1938 | ||||||||||
| 1939 | [[File:Marian Anderson.jpg | 100px | Marian Anderson]] | "Chosen for her special achievement in music." | ||||||
| 1940 | "Surgeon; chosen for his contribution to the healing of mankind and for his courageous position in the face of bitter attack." | |||||||||
| 1941 | [[File:Richard Wright.jpg | 100px | Richard Wright]] | "Author; Uncle Tom's Children and Native Son. For his outstanding contributions to literature." | ||||||
| 1942 | [[File:A. Philip Randolph 1963 NYWTS.jpg | 100px | A. Philip Randolph]] | "International President of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. For his role in securing the presidential order to establish the FEPC in 1941." | ||||||
| 1943 | [[File:Judge William H. Hastie, dean of the Howard University Law School, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War, ca. 1941 - NARA - 535835.jpg | 100px | William H. Hastie]] | "Jurist and Educator; chosen for his distinguished career as a jurist and uncompromising champion of equal justice." | ||||||
| 1944 | [[File:Portrait of Charles Drew.jpg | 100px | Charles R. Drew]] | "Scientist; chosen for his outstanding work in blood plasma; research led to establishment of blood plasma bank." | ||||||
| 1945 | [[File:Paul Robeson 1942 crop.jpg | 100px | Paul Robeson]] | "Singer and Actor chosen for distinguished achievement in the theatre and concert stage." | ||||||
| 1946 | [[File:Thurgood-marshall-2.jpg | 100px | Thurgood Marshall]] | "Special Counsel for NAACP. For distinguished service as a lawyer before the U.S. Supreme Court." | ||||||
| 1947 | [[File:Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975) portrait.jpg | 100px | Percy Julian]] | "Research Chemist chosen for many important discoveries that have saved many lives." | ||||||
| 1948 | [[File:Channing H Tobias.jpg | 100px | Channing Heggie Tobias]] | "In recognition of his consistent role as a defender of fundamental American liberties." | ||||||
| 1949 | [[File:Ralph Bunche - 1963 March on Washington.jpg | 100px | Ralph Bunche]] | "International civil servant; acting UN mediator in Palestine. For singular service to the United Nations." | ||||||
| 1950 | "Chairman, NAACP Legal Committee and stalwart defender of democracy." | |||||||||
| 1951 | "Leader of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses." | |||||||||
| 1952 | "NAACP leader in the state of Florida and a martyr in the crusade for freedom." | |||||||||
| 1953 | [[File:Paul R Williams.jpg | 100px | Paul Williams]] | "Distinguished architect, for his pioneer contributions as a creative designer of livable, attractive modern dwellings." | ||||||
| 1954 | "Physician, educator and philanthropist. For pioneering achievements in dermatology." | |||||||||
| 1955 | "Dedicated editor, publisher and farsighted civic leader." | |||||||||
| 1956 | [[File:Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers, 1954.jpg | 100px | Jackie Robinson]] | "Brilliant and versatile athlete; for superb sportsmanship and for his singular role in athletics." | ||||||
| 1957 | [[File:Martin Luther King, Jr..jpg | 100px | Martin Luther King, Jr]] | "Dedicated and selfless clergyman; for leadership role in the Montgomery bus protest movement." | ||||||
| 1958 | "For their pioneer role in upholding the basic ideals of American democracy in the face of continuing harassment and constant threats of bodily injury." | |||||||||
| 1959 | [[File:Duke Ellington - publicity.JPG | 100px | Duke Ellington]] | "Composer and orchestra leader. For outstanding and unique musical achievements." | ||||||
| 1960 | [[File:Langston Hughes by Carl Van Vechten 1936.jpg | 100px | Langston Hughes]] | "Poet, author and playwright." | ||||||
| 1961 | "Professor of Psychology at the College of the City of New York; founder/director of the Northside Center for Child Development. For his dedicated service and inspired research in the field of psychology." | |||||||||
| 1962 | [[File:Robert C. Weaver official portrait.jpg | 100px | Robert C. Weaver]] | "Administrator, Housing and Home Finance Agency; for his long years of dedicated public service at municipal, state and federal levels." | ||||||
| 1963 | [[File:Medgar Evers.jpg | 100px | Medgar Evers]] | "NAACP field secretary for the state of Mississippi. For his dedication and steadfast courage in the face of continued death threats." | ||||||
| 1964 | [[File:Roy Wilkins at the White House, 30 April, 1968.jpg | 100px | Roy Wilkins]] | "Executive Director, NAACP. For his leadership, integrity and his dedicated service." | ||||||
| 1965 | [[File:Leontyne Price (b&w) by Jack Mitchell.jpg | 100px | Leontyne Price]] | "Metropolitan Opera star, in recognition of her divinely inspired talent." | ||||||
| 1966 | "Founder/President of the Johnson Publishing Company of Chicago." | |||||||||
| 1967 | [[File:Edward Brooke at the 1968 RNC (2) (cropped).jpg | 100px | Edward Brooke]] | "First African American to win popular election to the United States Senate since Reconstruction." | ||||||
| 1968 | [[File:Sammy Davis Jr 1989 (cropped).jpg | 100px | Sammy Davis Jr.]] | "Broadway/Hollywood star and civil rights activist." | ||||||
| 1969 | [[File:Cmmitchellwithlbj1.jpg | 100px | Clarence Mitchell Jr.]] | "Director, Washington Bureau, NAACP and civil rights lobbyist. For his pivotal role in the enactment of civil rights legislation." | ||||||
| 1970 | "Artist, teacher and humanitarian." | |||||||||
| 1971 | "Clergyman, activist and prophet." | |||||||||
| 1972 | [[File:Gordon Parks.jpg | 100px | Jacob Lawrence]] | "In recognition of his unique creativity, as exemplified by his outstanding achievements as photographer, writer, film maker and composer." | ||||||
| 1973 | "Educator, in recognition of the stature he has attained as a national leader in the field of education." | |||||||||
| 1974 | [[File:Damon Keith Circuit Judge.jpg | 100px | Damon Keith]] | "Jurist; in tribute to his steadfast defense of constitutional principles." | ||||||
| 1975 | ||||||||||
| 1976 | [[File:Hank Aaron - Baseball HOF Induction 2013.jpg | 100px | Hank Aaron]] | "Athlete, in recognition of his singular achievement in the sport which symbolizes America – baseball; his impressive home run record." | ||||||
| 1977 | [[File:Alvin Ailey Ellington career.jpg | 100px | Alvin Ailey]] | "Innovative dancer, choreographer and artistic director." | ||||||
| [[File:Alex haley US coast guard.png | 100px | Alex Haley]] | "Author, biographer and lecturer; exhaustive research and literary skill combined in Roots." | |||||||
| 1978 | ||||||||||
| 1979 | [[File:Andrew Young, bw head-and-shoulders photo, June 6, 1977.jpg | 100px | Andrew Young]] | "Minister plenipotentiary and extraordinary United States Ambassador to the United Nations." | ||||||
| "In recognition to the quiet courage and determination exemplified when she refused to surrender her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus." | ||||||||||
| 1980 | "Educator, historian, author for his prodigious efforts to set before the world the black American's continuing struggle against oppression." | |||||||||
| 1981 | [[File:Coleman A. Young 1975.png | 100px | Coleman Young]] | "Mayor, City of Detroit; public servant, labor leader." | ||||||
| 1982 | [[File:Benjamin Mays portrait.jpg | 100px | Benjamin Mays]] | "Educator, theologian and humanitarian." | ||||||
| 1983 | [[File:Lenahorne.jpeg | 100px | Lena Horne]] | "Artist humanitarian and living symbol of excellence." | ||||||
| 1984 | ||||||||||
| 1985 | [[File:Tom Bradley, 1980.jpg | 100px | Tom Bradley]] | "Government executive, public servant, humanist; Mayor of Los Angeles for 20 years." | ||||||
| [[File:Bill cosby 1969.JPG | 100px | Bill Cosby]] | "Humorist, artist, educator, family man and humanitarian." | |||||||
| 1986 | "Executive Director, NAACP. In tribute to his precedent-setting accomplishments." | |||||||||
| 1987 | "Public servant, businessman, community leader." | |||||||||
| 1988 | "Educator, doctor of veterinary medicine, visionary and humanitarian." | |||||||||
| 1989 | [[File:Jesse Jackson, half-length portrait of Jackson seated at a table, July 1, 1983 edit.jpg | 100px | Jesse Jackson]] | "Clergyman, political leader, civil rights activist; first American of African descent to become a major presidential candidate." | ||||||
| 1990 | [[File:Douglas Wilder 2003 NIH.jpg | 100px | Douglas Wilder]] | "Governor, public servant, attorney and visionary in tribute to an extraordinary life of accomplishment." | ||||||
| 1991 | [[File:Powell.JPEG | 100px | Colin Powell]] | "General of the U.S. Army, 12th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Department of Defense." | ||||||
| 1992 | [[File:Rep. Barbara Jordan - Restoration.jpg | 100px | Barbara Jordan]] | "Lawyer, educator, political leader and stateswoman." | ||||||
| 1993 | [[File:DrDorothyHeight.jpg | 100px | Dorothy Height]] | "National Council of Negro Women; National YWCA; The Center for Radical Justice; President, Delta Sigma Theta sorority. For extraordinary leadership in advancing women’s rights." | ||||||
| 1994 | [[File:Angelou at Clinton inauguration.jpg | 100px | Maya Angelou speaking at the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton]] | "Poet, author, actress, playwright, producer, educator and historian." | ||||||
| 1995 | [[File:John Hope Franklin.png | 100px | John Hope Franklin]] | "Historian, scholar and educator; in recognition of an unrelenting quest for truth and the enlightenment of Western Civilization." | ||||||
| 1996 | [[File:Higginbothamandclinton (cropped).jpg | 100px | A. Leon Higginbotham Jr.]] | "Jurist, Scholar, teacher and humanitarian; in honor of a distinguished jurist who emerged a giant of jurisprudence during a three-decade tenure as the nation’s longest serving active Federal Judge." | ||||||
| 1997 | [[File:Carl Rowan 1997.jpg | frameless | 129x129px]] | "Journalist, publicist, civic leader and public servant." | ||||||
| 1998 | [[File:Myrlie Evers-Williams at Missouri Theatre 04.jpg | 100px | Myrlie Evers-Williams]] | "Civil rights activist, risk-taker, mother, true believer." | ||||||
| 1999 | [[File:Earl Graves sr. 2004.jpg | 100px | Earl G. Graves Sr.]] | "Founder, Black Enterprise Magazine; Businessman, publisher, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, family man." | ||||||
| 2000 | [[File:Oprah Winfrey (2004).jpg | 100px | Oprah Winfrey]] | "Actress, producer, educator, publisher and humanitarian." | ||||||
| 2001 | [[File:Vernon Jordan.jpg | 100px | Vernon Jordan]] | "Lawyer, Advisor to Presidents, Champion of Civil Rights and Human Rights, Exemplar and True Believer." | ||||||
| 2002 | [[File:John lewis official biopic.jpg | 100px | John Lewis]] | "Public servant, protector of civil and human rights, community leader and inspirer of youth." | ||||||
| 2003 | [[File:Constance B. Motley, half-length portrait, seated, facing front.jpg | 100px | Constance Baker Motley]] | "Civil rights pioneer, jurist, public official, for her commitment and pursuit of the goal of equal opportunity and justice for all Americans." | ||||||
| 2004 | [[File:JudgeCarter2.jpg | 100px | Robert L. Carter]] | "Attorney, educator, federal judge and guardian of civil rights; for his extraordinary achievement of winning twenty-one cases argued before the Supreme Court." | ||||||
| 2005 | [[File:Oliver Hill.jpg | 100px | alt=Oliver Hill (attorney) | Oliver Hill]] | "For his key role in the United States Supreme Court Case, Brown v. Board; for his determined, quiet and persistent pursuit of justice." | |||||
| 2006 | [[File:Ben Carson official portrait.jpg | 100px | Ben Carson]] | "In tribute to a lifetime of growth and singular achievement, from the bottom of his fifth grade class, to become the youngest ever Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery in the United States." | ||||||
| 2007 | [[File:John Conyers official photo.jpg | 100px | John Conyers]] | "Guardian of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, consummate legislator and public servant." | ||||||
| 2008 | [[File:Ruby Dee - 1972.jpg | 100px | Ruby Dee]] | "Actress, poet, playwright and civil rights activist" | ||||||
| 2009 | [[File:Julianbondmovie.jpg | 100px | Julian Bond]] | "Former Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors and legendary civil rights activist" | ||||||
| 2010 | [[File:Cicely Tyson 2012 Shankbone 2.JPG | 100px | Cicely Tyson]] | "Actress and civil rights activist" | ||||||
| 2011 | [[File:Frankie Muse Freeman.jpg | 100px | Frankie Muse Freeman]] | "Attorney and civil rights activist." | ||||||
| 2012 | [[File:Belafonte-cropped.png | 100px | Harry Belafonte]] | "Singer, song writer, actor and social activist." | ||||||
| 2013 | [[File:Jessye Norman- In Conversation with Tom Hall cropped (15952002266).jpg | 100px | Jessye Norman]] | "Opera singer, Grammy Award winner." | ||||||
| 2014 | [[File:Quincy Jones May 2014.jpg | 100px | Quincy Jones]] | "Composer, Producer, Grammy Award winner." | ||||||
| 2015 | [[File:Sidney Poitier-NPS.jpg | 100px | Sidney Poitier]] | "Actor and Social activist, Oscar Winner." | ||||||
| 2016 | [[File:Nrjones.jpg | 100px | Nathaniel R. Jones]] | "Lawyer, Jurist, Academic and Public Servant" | ||||||
| 2018 | [[File:WILLIE Brown, October 15, 1999.jpg | 100px | Willie L. Brown]] | Former mayor of San Francisco and former speaker of the California Assembly | ||||||
| 2019 | [[File:Patrick Gaspard aboard Marine One, Aug, 2010. (cropped).jpg | 100px | Patrick Gaspard]] | a lifelong community activist, a former American diplomat, and the current president of the Center for American Progress | ||||||
| 2021 | Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor at the University of Connecticut | |||||||||
| 2022 | [[File:Jim Clyburn official portrait 116th Congress.jpg | 100px | Jim Clyburn]] | House Majority Whip | ||||||
| 2023 | [[File:Hazel Nell Dukes (53864800726).jpg | 100px | Hazel Dukes]] | 8th National President of the NAACP | ||||||
| 2024 | [[File:Henry Louis Gates, Jr (cropped).jpg | 100px | Henry Louis Gates]] | "Esteemed historian and literary scholar." | ||||||
| 2025 | [[File:Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Portrait.jpg | 100px | Kamala Harris]] | Vice President of the United States |
Notes
;Footnotes
;Specific references
;General references
References
- "Spingarn Medal".
- "An award of excellence, the Spingarn Medal". African American Registry.
- (June 14, 2018). "Willie L. Brown to receive NAACP’s prestigious Spingarn Medal".
- (June 17, 2019). "PATRICK GASPARD TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS NAACP SPINGARN MEDAL".
- (July 6, 2021). "NAACP to Present Prestigious Spingarn Medal to World-Renowned Engineer-Physician-Scientist, Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. at 112th Annual Convention".
- Doyle, Christopher. (July 20, 2022). "Congressman Clyburn receives NAACP award as Atlantic City convention ends". The Press of Atlantic City.
- (August 10, 2023). "Hazel N. Dukes is recipient of NAACP's 108th Spingarn Medal". amsterdamnews.com.
- (July 11, 2024). "NAACP to Honor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. with Spingarn Medal at 115th National Convention".
- (October 1, 2025). "NAACP Honors Vice President Kamala Harris with Spingarn Medal".
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