President Derrick Johnson
Prepared Remarks
New York, New York
September 25, 2018
In January of this year, we announced a partnership with the Africa -America Institute to help work with our members in the African-American community along with the African Diaspora to share a curriculum of Africa’s great civilizations and to further awareness and understanding of African history.
It is an honor to be here today with honorable leadership from Mozambique, South Africa, with tonight’s honorees and with all of the distinguished guests gathered here today.
I would be remiss if I did not recognize three individuals –
The Chairman of our National Board of Directors, Mr. Leon W. Russell if you would please stand.
The Vice-Chair of our National Board of Directors, Ms. Karen Boykin-Towns, please stand.
And a legend in the Civil Rights struggle, Rev. Dr. Jessie Louis Jackson, would you please stand.
Next year will mark the 110th anniversary of the NAACP. It will also mark the 50th anniversary of the Image Awards.
The Image Awards was created now 49 years ago to ensure that images that were portrayed in the entertainment industry of individuals of African descent would be positive images to show our humanity and to show that we can achieve against all odds
To mark this milestone we intend to celebrate The 50th anniversary for the entirety of 2019. It is our goal to do so by identifying A place on the continent where we can share in the celebration of promoting positive images of the African Diaspora moving forward. Look forward to extending such partnership, brotherhood, and sisterhood throughout the continent of Africa and the African Diaspora.
