ABC/Lou RoccoRihanna will receive the NAACP’s highest honor at the NAACP Image Awards.
The nine-time Grammy winner will be presented with the President’s Award, in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service, at the annual ceremony later this month.
“Rihanna has not only enjoyed a groundbreaking career as an artist and musician but has also distinguished herself as a stellar public servant,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson says in a statement. “From her business achievements through Fenty to her tremendous record as an activist and philanthropist, Rihanna epitomizes the type of character, grace, and devotion to justice that we seek to highlight in our President’s Award.”
Jay-Z, who signed the “Diamonds” singer to Def Jam Recordings, received the honor last year. Previous recipients include Rev. Jesse Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Soledad O’Brien, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and Muhammad Ali.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Rihanna’s 2005 debut album, Music of the Sun. She;s since become one of the best-selling music artists of all-time, with over 280 million records sold.
RiRi is also a trailblazing entrepreneur with the global success of her Fenty fashion and beauty brand.
In 2012, she launched the Clara Lionel Foundation named after her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. The charity funds education and emergency response programs around the world.
The 51st annual NAACP Image Awards will air live February 22 from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on BET.
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