Today, the NAACP announced that Viola Davis will be honored with the Chairman’s Award at the “57th NAACP Image Awards” airing live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, February 28, at 8:00 PM ET on BET and CBS. Davis is also nominated for a NAACP Image Award for her role in G20. 

The Chairman's Award honors individuals who excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change. This recognition celebrates the distinguished and highly regarded impact Viola Davis has left across the entertainment industry, and uplifts her tireless efforts towards social justice issues. Past honorees of the Chairman's Award include Vice President Kamala Harris, Amanda Gorman, Samuel L. Jackson, the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, Ruby Dee, Danny Glover, Rev. James Lawson, Tyler Perry, then-Senator Barack Obama, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. 

“Viola Davis is a generational talent who has commanded audiences with her powerful and transcending performances, at this year’s NAACP Image Awards, we are humbled to present her with the Chairman’s Award, shining a light on her deeply impactful commitment to driving change,” said Leon W. Russell, Chair, NAACP National Board of Directors. “Through a career defined by excellence and courage, she has used her platform to work towards opportunity and equity, crafting an undeniable legacy for generations to come. We look forward to celebrating her and the trailblazing path she has created for herself, and others to follow.” 

“Viola Davis exemplifies what it means to use one’s platform in service of others,” said Connie Orlando, Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “She has paired extraordinary artistic achievement with meaningful action — from advocating for equity to helping address childhood hunger and uplifting underserved communities. Honoring her with the Chairman’s Award recognizes a legacy defined not only by excellence in entertainment, but by an enduring commitment to public service.” 

Viola Davis is a critically revered artist, activist, producer, philanthropist, and New York Times best-selling author. Davis has earned EGOT status through her Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and multi-Tony Award wins. She was honored in 2017 by TIME 100 as one of the world’s most influential people and, in 2022, was honored with the Public Counsel’s William O Douglas Award for her commitment to social justice causes. Davis has partnered with multiple programs to eradicate childhood hunger in the United States and recently launched the Davis-Tennon Foundation. A graduate of The Julliard School, Davis received an Honorary Doctorate during its 109th Commencement Ceremony and she also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree from her alma mater, Rhode Island College, and an Honorary Doctorate from the American Film Institute. Davis received the Cecil B. DeMille honor at the 2025 Golden Globes and, this last summer, was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. 

By visiting www.naacpimageawards.net, the public can vote to determine the winners of the “57th NAACP Image Awards'' in select categories. Voting closes on February 13, 2026, at 12:00 midnight (ET.) Winners will be revealed during the “57th NAACP Image Awards'' telecast on Saturday, February 28 live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, on BET and will simulcast on the CBS Television Network. NAACP will also recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories at the “57th NAACP Image Awards” Creative Honors Thursday, February 26 and virtually on YouTube/NAACPPlus Monday, February 23-Wednesday, February 25.