NAACP Opens Nominations for the 112th Spingarn Medal

The NAACP is now accepting nominations for the 112th NAACP Spingarn Medal, the civil rights organization’s highest honor. Leon W. Russell, Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, announced the call for nominations, which remains open until 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2026.

Established in 1914 by J. E. Spingarn, then chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors, the gold medal recognizes “the highest or noblest achievement” by a living Black American in any honorable field of endeavor. Spingarn presented the medal each year until his death in 1939 and left a fund in his will to carry the award forward. Its purpose is twofold: to bring national attention to distinguished achievement among Americans of African descent, and to reward that excellence while inspiring the next generation of young Black leaders.

The Committee of Award, selected by the NAACP Board of Directors, has wide latitude in choosing each year’s honoree. The medal is open to achievement across intellectual, spiritual, scientific, artistic, educational, physical and commercial fields, which places Black women founders, executives and business leaders squarely within the field of eligible nominees. While the honor is intended primarily for achievement in the preceding year, the committee may recognize work from earlier years or choose to withhold the award. The medal will be presented at a time and place agreed upon by the recipient and the Spingarn Committee, and the committee’s decision is final in all matters affecting the award.

To date, 111 Spingarn Medals have been awarded. The roster of honorees includes Vice President Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Misty Copeland, Dorothy I. Height, Cicely Tyson, Lena Horne, Jessye Norman, Ruby Dee, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Hazel N. Dukes and Judge Constance Baker Motley, alongside John Lewis, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier and Henry Louis Gates. Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown became the most recent medalist when he received the 111th Spingarn Medal at the 117th NAACP National Convention in Chicago this July.

How to Submit a Nomination

Each nomination must include a detailed, current biographical profile of the nominee along with a photo, highlighting the activities and achievements most relevant to the honor. Supporting documents such as news clippings and a record of honors and awards received should also be attached, and all materials should be clearly typed or printed so they can be reproduced for the committee.

Nominations can be emailed to Spingarnmedal@naacpnet.org with a copy to India Artis at iartis@naacpnet.org, or mailed to The Spingarn Medal Award Committee, Attention: Mildred B. Roxborough and India Artis, NAACP, 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215. Mailed nominations must be postmarked by December 31, 2026, and questions about the process can be directed to Artis by email.