Kamala Harris Makes First Post-Election TV Appearance At NAACP Awards
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Kamala Harris roared back into public consciousness over the weekend, making her first post-election TV appearance at the 56th annual NAACP Image Awards to be honored by the civil rights organization.
Harris received the Chairman’s Award, which recognizes those who “excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.” The former vice president, the first Black and Southeast Asian woman to be elected to the office, has kept a low profile since unsuccessfully running for president, ultimately losing to Donald Trump.
The truncated campaign began when Joe Biden decided not to seek reelection in July. Harris generated a lot of support and a billion-dollar war chest with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Since the election, Harris has been seen with her husband, Doug Emhoff, at a grocery store and a Lakers game but hasn’t said anything publicly or posted about any of the increasingly unhinged moves by the Trump administration.
Dressed in a Black tailored satin pantsuit, Harris was introduced by NAACP chairman Leon W. Russell. She accepted the award to rousing applause, referencing how her “lifelong” membership in the organization influenced her decision to enter public service.
“This organization came into being at a moment when our country struggled with greed, bitterness, and hatred. And those who forged the NAACP, those who carried its legacy forward, had no illusions about the forces they were up against — no illusions about how stony the road would be,” Harris said from the stage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where the awards were held.
“But some look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history. Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy, and ask, ‘What do we do now?’ But we know exactly what to do because we have done it before, and we will do it again.”
Harris’ message was well-received by the largely Black crowd that included not just entertainment figures but politicians, writers, artists and other NAACP Image Award nominees in multiple categories. Deon Cole hosted the show, which aired on CBS and BET on Saturday.
Dave Chappelle was honored with the President’s Award, which honored his work in entertainment. He said that among the awards he’s achieved, this one meant the most as it come from “his own people.” Keke Palmer received the Entertainer of the Year Award saying she was genuinely surprised to win in a category that included Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, Shannon Sharpe and Kendrick Lamar.
Previous Chairman Awards winners include former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. Glover, Amanda Gorman, Samuel L. Jackson, Rev. James Lawson, John Lewis, Ruby Dee, Tyler Perry, Barack Obama, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson and Rep. Maxine Waters.
