NAACP Image Awards | Thursday February 12, 2009
Did You Know?
- 1909
On February 12th, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded by a multiracial group of activists, who answered "The Call," in New York, New York. They initially called themselves the National Negro Committee. - 1913
In April, Dr. Joel E. Spingarn instituted the Spingarn Medal, a gold medal that was to be awarded annually to an American Negro of łhighest achievement˛ for the proceeding year or years. - 1939
On April 9th, after the Daughters of the American Revolution barred Marian Anderson from performing at their Constitutional Hall in Washington DC, the NAACP successfully moved to have her appear at the Lincoln Memorial that Easter Sunday where more than seventy five thousand people attended the open air concert broadcast nationally by radio. - 1942
The Association worked with studio executives and politicians to establish an ad hoc committee with the major film studios to monitor the image and portrayal of African Americans on the silver screen. - 1960
Senator John F. Kennedy addressed an audience of seven thousand at the NAACP Civil Rights Rally at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, just four days before he secured the Democratic Presidential Nomination. - 1975
On August 6, President Ford signed H.R. 6219, amending and extending certain provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, culminating a two-year effort by the Washington Bureau and cooperating organizations. The 1974 Act extended protection of the right to register and vote to non-English speaking groups, especially Hispanics. - 1987
On the 25th anniversary of the use of federal troops to enforce integration of the Little Rockąs Central High, the NAACP reunited the Little Rock Nine and NAACP leader Daisy Bates at ceremonies at the Arkansas Capital. - 1991
Following the victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary by former Klansman and neo-Nazi David Duke, the NAACP Louisiana State Conference launched a voter registration and Get-Out-The-Vote campaign resulting in Dukeąs defeat. - 2006
As part of our on-going efforts to the diversity of emerging talent in Hollywood, the NAACP united with several networks to create Master Degree Writing Fellowships. - 2009
On February 12th, the 40th NAACP Image Awards aired live celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP to the day.
NAACP Membership Information
Presented annually, the NAACP Image Awards is the nation’s premier event celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts (motion picture, television, recording, and literature), as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.
If you would like to be part of next year’s process and vote on the nominees for the 41st NAACP Image Awards – it’s easy, just become a member of the NAACP! Only NAACP members are eligible to vote.
In addition to voting for the Image Awards’ winners, there are also five additional reasons to become a member:
1. The fight for freedom is not free! Your membership will help fund initiatives and programs to support our mission of racial equality and equal justice;
2. A membership in the NAACP is your opportunity to give back to the organization that has done more to change this country for the betterment of people of color, women, and the disenfranchised than any other in the nation's history;
3. Your membership in the NAACP makes you a part of a force of 300,000 people who stand for the freedoms guaranteed in our nation's constitution;
4. Your membership in the NAACP makes a direct and positive impact in your community when you join your local unit; and
5. Your membership in the NAACP will give you access to our upcoming benefits program that provides discounts on products and services across the country.
