The President's Award is presented in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. Previous recipients include Usher, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Rihanna, LeBron James, Kerry Washington, Spike Lee, Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter, and Lauryn Hill.

“The President’s Award honours an unwavering dedication to community, and throughout his distinguished career, Dave Chappelle has consistently been recognized as a powerful voice of social consciousness,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO.

“Through his unique ability to transform complex political issues into thought-provoking humour, Dave has solidified his place as one of the most impactful voices of our time. His work sparks conversations that compel people to examine their own beliefs, proving that in an age where open dialogue is increasingly rare, comedy can be both a powerful teller and a driver of progress.”

Dave Chappelle is recognised as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He is the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humour. Chappelle’s work has earned him more than 30 nominations and awards in television and film for projects that include his ground-breaking sketch comedy television series Chappelle’s Show, comedy specials, and guest appearances on Saturday Night Live. Chappelle has received five Emmy awards, including three for his comedy specials Sticks & Stones (2020) and Equanimity & The Bird Revelation (2018) and two for hosting Saturday Night Live (2017 and 2021). Chappelle has won six GRAMMY® Awards for Best Comedy Album, winning most recently in 2025 with The Dreamer.

BET and the NAACP remain committed to celebrating Black excellence and resilience through the 56th NAACP Image Awards. This support extends to the Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Pasadena communities affected by the recent wildfires. As part of these efforts, BET Media Group, NAACP, JSK and WME have partnered with LA County and in collaboration with local community organizations such as Community Aid Dena, Altadena Heritage, and Walk Good LA, to launch the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, aimed at protecting homeowners from displacement and preserving the community’s cultural heritage.

Ayo Edebiri leads the African nominees this year with five nominations, followed by other notable names including Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Tyla, Trevor Noah, Cynthia Erivo, Lupita Nyong’o, Shaboozey, Uche Okonkwo, and Omotara James.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the 56th NAACP Image Awards will continue a tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire quality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to that purpose.

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years' attendees and winners include Tems, Davido, Lojay, Damson Idris, Ayo Edebiri, Aleema Omotoni, Ava DuVernay, Gabrielle Union, Dwayne Wade, Courtney B. Vance, Sherri Shepherd, Colman Domingo, Mike Epps, Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Usher, Tyler Perry, Angela Bassett, Damson Idris, Michelle Buteau, Victoria Monét, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E.Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, tacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks, and many more.

Catch the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Sunday, 23 February 2025 — pre-show at 5pm and main awards at 6pm only on BET Africa (DStv Channel 129/ GOtv Channel 140).