LOS ANGELES, CA — While Lakers superstar Lebron James continued to rehab his ankle injury, he was awarded another accolade, as James took home the prestigious President’s Award during the 52nd Annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday March 27. It was originally announced on Thursday during a non televised ceremony.
“Thank you to the NAACP Image Awards you guys are unbelievable. It’s such a great honor to be recognized by such a great organization,” James said in a recorded acceptance speech message. “To be recognized by such a great organization that continues to celebrate Black excellence, this award is much than myself.
“Most importantly, it gives me an opportunity to give out jobs to some of the greatest creators and greatest minds we can find. I’m happy to provide that with the Spring Hill company.“
James also thanked fans and supporters who continue to wish him well through his injury.
The President’s Award is presented in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service, with previous recipients including Rihanna, Jay-Z, Jesse Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Soledad O’Brien, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and the late Muhammad Ali, amongst many others.
Beyond being one of the best basketball players on the planet, James used his platform and voice for various causes that include social injustice, voter suppression, and building a better education program for his community in the for of the I-Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He continues to elevate many through his Lebron James Family Foundation, and his More Than A Vote campaign to ensure that everyone in communities of color have access to voting.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes of his generation, and through his work both on and off the court, has transcended beyond sports to become a cultural icon,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, who will present the award to James during the live broadcast. “This is nowhere more evident than over the past year, where LeBron has used his platform to speak out on issues that were directly affecting the Black community including voting initiatives, police brutality, and racial inequality. LeBron epitomizes the type of leadership, sportsmanship, and commitment to social justice that we seek to highlight with our President’s Award.”
James and his business partner Maverick Carter have created a media empire with The Spring Hill Company that includes platforms like UNINTERRUPTED, and various philanthropy efforts. Recently James along with Carter became the first Black owners of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox with the Fenway Sports Group.
The 52nd Annual NAACP Image Awards will be televised live on Saturday March 27 at 8PM on the ViacomCBS Networks (CBS, BET, MTV, VH1, Paramount Network).
