Comedian Dave Chappelle has been chosen to receive the NAACP Image Awards’ most prestigious honor this year.
The Emmy and Grammy Award winner will be recognized with the President’s Award for his “thought-provoking humor” during the civil rights organization’s 56th event later this month.
Past recipients include Muhammad Ali, LeBron James, Rihanna, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
“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,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “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.”
Johnson went on to praise Chappelle for stirring “conversations that compel people to examine their own beliefs” and proving that “comedy can be both a powerful truth-teller and a driver of progress.”
The 51-year-old “Chappelle’s Show” star previously received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019. But in recent years, he’s sparked controversy with his Netflix stand-up specials, particularly over jokes that many viewed as transphobic.
The 2025 Image Awards, to be held Feb. 22 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS.
NAACP and producers of the ceremony have partnered with other organizations to support the Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Pasadena communities affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires.