Academy Award-nominated actor and producer Samuel L. Jackson was presented with the "Chairman’s Award" presented by Capital One during the 53rd NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night. The prestigious honor, awarded in recognition of exemplary public service, might have been well overdue for the film icon. 

For nearly three decades, Jackson, who has starred in over 150 movies, has used his platform to advocate for social change. Tonight, he received his flowers. Jackson's activism dates back to his time at Morehouse College, where he got expelled in 1969 for leading a protest. 

Jackson's award was presented to him by Leon W. Russell, Chairman of the Board of the NAACP. During his acceptance speech, Jackson quoted Marian Wright Edelman, "Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time," he said.

And it wouldn't be like Jackson not to speak out about a political issue we're currently facing.

"We still have things we need to do. The most important thing being the Voting Rights Act. I know we can't change that, but we can put our legs, our bodies and voices to work to make sure that people do get out to vote," Jackson said.