Congressman John Lewis is set to receive the NAACP Chairman’s Award at the 51st NAACP Image Awards which will take place February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, CA. He will join past honoree’s such as Former President Barack Obama, Tyler Perry, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and more. This award is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service to those who use their platform to produce change, and Congressman John Lewis has surpassed these efforts and more.
Most noted as one of the Big Six Civil Rights Activist, Congressman John Lewis is receiving this honor for dedicating his life to protecting human rights, fighting for civil rights, and building, “The Beloved Community.” He was at the forefront of the memorable “Bloody Sunday,” that took place in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965 marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with hundreds of protestors in pursuit of racial equality. He took part in numerous sit-ins, sat as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and was appointed by Former President Jimmy Carter to direct more than 250,000 volunteers of ACTION, the federal volunteer agency. Congressman John Lewis has faced numerous trials and tribulations at the hands of hate in order to serve others.
Congressman John Lewis is currently serving his 17th term in the House since 1987. In recent times, he has rallied behind immigrant families in order to help them be reunited and has introduced the HELP Act for National Black HIV/Aids Awareness Day.
