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Nominations To Be Announced Wednesday,
January 7
The 40TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will broadcast live from Los Angeles'
historic Shrine Auditorium Thursday, Feb. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
on FOX. The star-studded broadcast, which coincides with the
NAACP's 100th anniversary, is executive-produced by Vicangelo
Bulluck and will kick off the organization's year-long centennial
celebration.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Former Vice President Al Gore and Dr.
Wangari Muta Maathai will be awarded the NAACP Chairman's Award
during the special. The Chairman's Award, chosen by NAACP Board
Chairman Julian Bond, is bestowed in recognition of special
achievement and distinguished public service.
"I am very proud to recognize Former Vice President Gore and Dr.
Maathai for their substantial efforts in environmental awareness,
sustainable development and peace," said Bond. "Their courageous
and historic accomplishments have benefited not only current but
future generations, and they clearly reflect the values that we
have so valiantly fought for over the past century."
"The NAACP has served as a beacon, advancing civil rights for the
benefit of all Americans," commented Former Vice President Gore. "I
am so honored to be a part of this historic centennial celebration.
The IMAGE AWARDS are made all the more special because I am joined
by my friend and colleague, Dr. Wangari Maathai."
"I am deeply honored and privileged to share this award with Former
Vice President Al Gore, my friend and colleague in environmental
work," stated Dr. Maathai. "I am especially honored to be receiving
this award from the NAACP, an organization that has been working
tirelessly for the dignity and humanity of ethnic minorities,
focusing especially on social and economic equality. The election
of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of
America is a testament to your mission. As I receive this award, I
congratulate and thank you for your vision and commitment to the
cause of human dignity."
"The NAACP marks a historic milestone on February 12, 2009," added
IMAGE AWARDS chair Clayola Brown. "For 100 years to the day, the
NAACP has fought to ensure the political, educational, social and
economic equality of all citizens. The 40TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS and
subsequent events will provide important looks back and ahead at
the organization, and will recognize the extraordinary talents and
accomplishments of the many supporters who have worked to advance
our cause."
Nominations for the annual award show that recognizes the artistic
achievements of people of color and honors projects and individuals
that promote diversity in the arts will be announced Wednesday,
Jan. 7 in Los Angeles. Hosts, performers and presenters of the 40TH
NAACP IMAGE AWARDS will be announced shortly.
Former Vice President Al Gore is chairman of Current TV, an Emmy
Award-winning, independently owned cable-and-satellite nonfiction
television network for young people based on viewer-created content
and citizen journalism. He also serves as chairman of Generation
Investment Management, a firm focused on a new approach to
sustainable investing. He is the author of bestselling titles
"Earth in the Balance" and "An Inconvenient Truth," and is the
subject of an Academy Award-winning documentary. Gore is the
co-winner, along with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for "informing the world of
the dangers posed by climate change." He and his wife, Tipper, live
in Nashville, TN. They have four children and three
grandchildren.
Professor Wangari Muta Maathai is internationally recognized for
her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and
environmental conservation. She has addressed the United Nations on
several occasions, and has spoken on behalf of women at special
sessions of the General Assembly during the five-year review of the
Earth Summit. Dr. Maathai served on the commission for Global
Governance and the Commission on the Future. She and the Green Belt
Movement have received numerous awards, most notably the 2004 Nobel
Peace Prize.
Dr. Maathai serves on the boards of organizations including Green
Belt Movement International, World Learning for International
Development, Green Cross International, Worldwide Network of Women
in Environmental Work, Democracy Coalition Project, Global Crop
Diversity Trust and Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. She also
serves as patron to three global campaigns: Congo Basin Forest
Fund, Billion Tree Campaign and Mottainai Campaign in Japan.
From 2005-2008, Maathai served as the Presiding Officer of the
Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African
Union based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ECOSOCC was formed to advise
the African Union on issues related to African civil society. Dr.
Maathai was honored with an appointment as Goodwill Ambassador to
the Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem, and was later named co-chair of
the Congo Basin Forest Fund, where she serves in an advocacy role
for the region's conservation and protection.
Additional festivities planned for the NAACP's centennial year
include televised specials highlighting the most influential films,
music and people from 1909-2009, a commemorative music CD and a
photo book. Details about these and other projects will be
announced by the NAACP in the coming months.
Returning event sponsors for the 40th NAACP Image Awards include
American Airlines, FedEx and the Ford Motor Company.
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