Kamala Harris speaks on ‘shadows gathering over our democracy’ at NAACP Image Awards

Former Vice President Kamala Harris urged viewers not to “surrender to cynicism and destruction” on Saturday as she was honored at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards.

Harris attended the ceremony celebrating Black excellence and received the chairman’s award, which is given to “individuals who excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.” She said the honor is special to her because she grew up “inspired” by the work of the NAACP, and the group is “part of the reason I chose a life of public service.”

She continued that Americans must have the same “sense of urgency” today that the NAACP’s founders did, “knowing, as the saying goes, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

“Some look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history,” Harris said. “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. We use our power. We organize, we mobilize, we educate and we advocate.”

The former vice president went on to add, “Our strength flows from our faith: Faith in God, faith in each other, and our refusal to surrender to cynicism and destruction, not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. Not because victory is guaranteed, but because the fight is worth it.”

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Harris never directly mentioned President Donald Trump, her 2024 election opponent, but said that “this chapter in our American story” will be “written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office, nor by the wealthiest among us,” but by “we the people.”

Harris received a standing ovation as she came on stage to accept the award. In introductory remarks, NAACP board of directors chair Leon W. Russell said she “will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come,” and he praised her 2024 presidential campaign.

“Against impossible odds, she gave America a campaign that was a force of nature,” Russell said. “No one else could have accomplished what she did, and no one else is more deserving of our gratitude.”

Past recipients of the chairman’s award include politicians like former President Barack Obama and California Rep. Maxine Waters as well as entertainers like Samuel L. Jackson and Forest Whitaker.

Dave Chappelle, Keke Palmer, ‘The Six Triple Eight’ honored at NAACP Image Awards

Saturday’s ceremony also honored Dave Chappelle with the president’s award, which recognizes “outstanding achievements and distinguished public service.” The comedian described it as “probably the most special award I’ve ever gotten.”

The “Chappelle’s Show” star said the NAACP is now “sadly more relevant than it’s been in a long time,” but it “feels good to know that we’re not in it alone.” He also quipped that now that “all my Netflix checks cleared,” every time he appears “I’m only up there because I want to be.”

Kerry Washington, Tyler Perry’s ‘Six Triple Eight’ movie tells true story of Black women in WWII

Meanwhile, Keke Palmer won the award for entertainer of the year. The “One of Them Days” star expressed her shock that she received the honor, particularly over fellow nominee Cynthia Erivo — and she even did an impression of Erivo singing “Defying Gravity” in “Wicked.”

“It’s so important that we all come here together and celebrate one another with one another,” Palmer said, adding that “nobody has uplifted me more than you all, the people in this room.”

It was a big night for Tyler Perry’s “The Six Triple Eight,” which tells the true story of Black women in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. It won best picture, best actress for Kerry Washington, best supporting actress and breakthrough performance for Ebony Obsidian, and best ensemble cast.

Washington said the evening was “about all of us being called into our greatness” and encouraged the audience to “remember your greatness, because that’s what the fight is for.”

Contributing: Anika Reed, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NAACP Image Awards: Kamala Harris, Keke Palmer, Dave Chappelle honored