As frontman of Irish super group U2 and advocate for African relief efforts, Bono has inspired people across the world to unite through his music and humanitarian efforts. During his musical career with U2, his band has sold over 130 million albums and won numerous awards for their music, including 22 Grammys. Bono is also a passionate advocate in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa.

"Bono has been an inspiration to many people around the world through his music and humanitarian efforts," said NAACP Board Chairman, Julian Bond. "We are delighted to honor him with this award in recognition of the differences he has made and to acknowledge his ongoing campaigning to actively engage Americans from all walks of life in the fight against extreme poverty and the global AIDS pandemic."

Bono's interest in Africa was ignited after he and his wife, Ali, spent a month working at a feeding camp in Ethiopia in 1985. In 1986, U2 headlined the Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope Tour. In 1998, Bono became involved in the Jubilee campaign to "Drop the Debt" of the world's poorest nations. Four years later, he and Bobby Shriver created a new advocacy organization called DATA (Debt, AIDS,Trade in Africa).

In 2004, with leaders from 90 other anti-poverty organizations, Bono helped launch ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History, which today, includes 2.4 million members united in the fight against extreme poverty.

And in 2006, Bono and Bobby Shriver joined with international corporate leaders to launch Product (RED), a new organization that is raising awareness about the AIDS crisis in Africa and driving millions of dollars into the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

For his music and activism, Bono was awarded the Legion D'Honneur (2003) and jointly named Time magazine's Person of the Year (2005), along with Bill and Melinda Gates. In December 2006, it was announced that Bono will also be awarded an honorary British knighthood.