Dave Chappelle Named President's Award Recipient for the “56TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS”!

Today, the NAACP announced that comedy legend and cultural icon Dave Chappelle will receive the prestigious President’s Award during the “56th NAACP Image Awards” airing live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, February 22, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET and CBS. This year, the broadcast will be extended 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.

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 Ms. Lauryn Hill.

“The President’s Award honors 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 humor, 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 truth-teller and a driver of progress.”

Dave Chappelle is recognized as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He is the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Chappelle’s work has earned him more than 30 nominations and awards in television and film for projects that include his groundbreaking sketch comedy television seriesChappelle’s Show, comedy specials, and guest appearances on Saturday Night Live. Chappelle has received five Emmy awards, including three for his Netflix 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 WalkGood LA, to launch the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, aimed at protecting homeowners from displacement and preserving the community’s cultural heritage.