On a weekend brimming with celebration and community, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) made headlines on both coasts, shining a spotlight on achievements at the highest levels of American public life and the grassroots energy of student activism. From the red-carpeted ballrooms of Los Angeles, where Vice President Kamala Harris received the NAACP’s highest honor, to the lively lawns of Penn State University, where students donned cowboy hats and danced the afternoon away, the NAACP’s enduring influence was on full display.
On September 30, 2025, former Vice President Kamala Harris was presented with the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s most prestigious award, at a special dinner in Los Angeles, California. The event, attended by luminaries and leaders, marked a moment of recognition for Harris’s decades-long commitment to justice, equity, and public service. According to Black Enterprise, the medal was presented by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and Chairman of the Board of Directors Leon W. Russell, both of whom underscored the significance of Harris’s trailblazing career.
"I am deeply honored to receive the Spingarn Medal — an award whose legacy reflects the brilliance, sacrifice, and determination of generations who paved the way for progress," Harris said in her acceptance speech. She continued, "To be counted among its recipients is profoundly inspiring. That it comes from the NAACP, one of our nation’s oldest and greatest champions of freedom and equality, makes this honor all the more meaningful." Her words echoed the sentiments of a community that has long looked to the NAACP as a beacon of hope and progress.
Harris now joins an illustrious list of Spingarn Medal recipients, including giants such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, and W.E.B. Du Bois. The medal, established in 1914, has always been awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to justice, equity, and public service—values that Harris has championed throughout her career as a senator, attorney general, and vice president.
Derrick Johnson, the NAACP’s president and CEO, praised Harris’s unwavering commitment to justice. "It is a true privilege to recognize Vice President Kamala Harris as this year’s Spingarn Medal recipient," Johnson said. "Her trailblazing leadership and unwavering commitment to justice embody the very essence of this honor. As the first woman and the first Black American to serve as Vice President, her legacy of breaking barriers and championing equity will inspire generations to come."
The timing of the award could not have been more fitting. Just a week prior, on September 23, Harris released her latest book, 107 Days, her first publication since the widely read The Truths We Hold: An American Journey. Her literary portfolio also includes the children’s book Superheroes Are Everywhere and her first work, Smart on Crime, published a decade earlier. Harris’s recent book tour included an unannounced visit to her alma mater, Howard University, underscoring her ongoing connection to educational institutions and the next generation of leaders.
While Harris was being honored for her national impact, the NAACP’s spirit of community was alive and well on the campus of Penn State University. On October 5, 2025, the NAACP Penn State Chapter hosted its annual Block Party on the HUB Lawn at University Park, Pennsylvania. According to The Daily Collegian, this year’s theme was the Wild West, and the event drew students from across campus for an afternoon of food, music, games, and camaraderie.
The lawn was transformed into a vibrant scene, with attendees dressed in cowboy hats and boots, ready to embrace the playful spirit of the day. Mechanical bull riding and velcro axe throwing were among the activities that had students lining up for their turn, while music filled the air and dancers formed circles on the grass. The event was more than just a party; it was a celebration of student unity and the importance of creating safe spaces for students of color on campus.
Photos from the event captured the energy and joy of the afternoon: students laughing as they tried to stay atop the mechanical bull, others tossing toy axes with competitive glee, and groups gathered around tables adorned with mini cowboy hats. Even the campus dog, Azula, made an appearance, much to the delight of attendees. Performances by groups like the Eminence Modeling Troupe and BLK Elites Dance Company kept the crowd entertained and highlighted the talent within the campus community.
The Block Party wasn’t just about fun and games. It also served as a showcase for the many clubs and organizations at Penn State that work tirelessly to provide support and advocacy for students of color. From the National Council of Negro Women to Sigma Lambda Gamma, the event gave these groups a platform to connect with new students and build a sense of belonging that can be hard to find at a large university.
It’s worth pausing to consider the through line that connects these two events. Whether it’s Kamala Harris breaking barriers at the highest levels of government or students at Penn State coming together to build community, the NAACP’s mission remains the same: to advance justice, equity, and opportunity for all. The organization’s ability to operate both at the national stage and the local grassroots level is a testament to its enduring relevance.
As Harris herself noted, being recognized by the NAACP is "profoundly inspiring," not just because of the organization’s storied past, but because of its ongoing commitment to shaping the future. The NAACP’s work is never done—there are always new barriers to break, new communities to uplift, and new leaders to inspire.
For Harris, the Spingarn Medal is both a recognition of past achievements and a call to continue the work. For the students at Penn State, the Block Party is a reminder that progress is made not just in the halls of power, but in the everyday acts of coming together, supporting one another, and celebrating shared culture.
In a country often divided by politics and identity, these events offer a glimpse of what unity and progress can look like. The NAACP, whether honoring a national leader or empowering students on a college lawn, remains a vital force for good. And as the sun set on both Los Angeles and University Park, one thing was clear: the legacy of the NAACP—and the people it uplifts—is as strong and vibrant as ever.
