Kamala Harris at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards

[{"selector":"#anim-1c54462c-8fe7-4e99-983d-43727d111839 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.386255750543523%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a powerful speech, accepting the Chairman's Award for public service

[{"selector":"#anim-4bc9f32c-875e-4419-9059-9e3c80702710 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.26204111609081%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Harris reflects on the special meaning of the Chairman’s Award, citing the NAACP’s influence on her life

[{"selector":"#anim-bc7368cc-a08a-477b-825b-76cd53012f84 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.803977101634903%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] She emphasizes the importance of the NAACP’s founders and the sense of urgency they brought

[{"selector":"#anim-596d6136-cc3f-4647-9109-671edd2a1046 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.61429773655437%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Harris acknowledges the weight of history and the growing challenges facing democracy

[{"selector":"#anim-f49b844c-ac80-41f1-b3b5-1eb36383dc45 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-10.746402639508535%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] “We refuse to surrender to cynicism and destruction,” Harris declares

[{"selector":"#anim-a56fdc07-5c9c-4693-9a9e-6ba5b6b01bab [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.84374984735285%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Harris highlights the strength that comes from faith—faith in God, each other, and the refusal to give up

[{"selector":"#anim-71f760b3-1ba9-40be-b074-229776bb36e7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.78222642161545%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Harris speaks on how this chapter of American history will not be defined by politicians or the wealthy

[{"selector":"#anim-cbb88271-f3e7-41fd-b52c-331b01401818 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-20.730932025786267%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Harris received a standing ovation as she accepted the award, honoring her dedication

[{"selector":"#anim-1583fc78-db3b-47c3-97b8-469562255075 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.045611876019507%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] NAACP board chair Leon W. Russell praised Harris for inspiring future generations and acknowledged her impactful 2024

[{"selector":"#anim-c25bca19-96d7-428e-9b41-24220d18e471 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.803977101634903%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Russell described Harris' 2024 campaign as a “force of nature” that was accomplished against all odds

[{"selector":"#anim-b4123dc9-0f66-43b6-88dd-acd902de7946 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.386255750543523%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Past recipients of the Chairman’s Award include influential figures like Barack Obama, Maxine Waters, Samuel L. Jackson