(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Brooklyn stand up! Jay-Z has been named the recipient to receive the President’s Award at this year’s NAACP Image Awards. According to the organization, this award recognizes “special achievement and distinguished public service.”
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP made a statement about the Brooklyn born rapper receiving this award. “Shawn Carter has been committed to shedding light on the issues that plague the black community including systematic racism and unjust treatment under the law, utilizing his global platform to create everlasting change.” He continued, “There is no better time than now, as we celebrate our 50th year, to honor him with this award.”
Jay-Z joins the list of previous recipients such as Lauryn Hill, Rev. Jesse Jackson, former Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.