NAACP Honors Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant

Reverend to receive prestigious Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award at the 57th NAACP Image Awards

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The NAACP announced that Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant will receive the prestigious Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award at the '57th NAACP Image Awards' Creative Honors on Thursday, February 26 in Los Angeles. The award celebrates individuals whose courage, advocacy, and impact continue the NAACP's legacy of advancing civil rights and building a more just society.

Why it matters

Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant is a nationally recognized faith leader, civil-rights strategist, public theologian, and community architect whose work stands at the intersection of scholarship, spirituality, social justice, economic accountability, and public policy. His leadership and advocacy have made a significant impact in advancing equity and accountability.

The details

The Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award is one of the NAACP's most prestigious honors. Previous honorees include Jotaka Eaddy, Benjamin Crump, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Stacey Abrams. Rev. Dr. Bryant's influence extends across faith communities, civic institutions, and national movements advocating for equity and accountability. He founded Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore and currently serves as Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia.

  • The '57th NAACP Image Awards' Creative Honors will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in Los Angeles.
  • Rev. Dr. Bryant will receive the Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award at the Creative Honors event.

The players

Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant

A nationally recognized faith leader, civil-rights strategist, public theologian, and community architect whose work stands at the intersection of scholarship, spirituality, social justice, economic accountability, and public policy.

Karen Boykin-Towns

Vice Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors.

Connie Orlando

Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET.

Derrick Johnson

President & CEO of the NAACP.

Mildred Bond Roxborough

The namesake of the Social Justice Impact Award, which celebrates individuals whose courage, advocacy, and impact continue the NAACP's legacy of advancing civil rights and building a more just society.

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What they’re saying

“The NAACP Image Awards is proud to honor Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, whose leadership is rooted in scholarship, action, courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice.”

— Karen Boykin-Towns, Vice Chair, NAACP National Board of Directors (praiserichmond.com)

“Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant's influence stretches across culture, economic accountability, and activism, reshaping how communities organize and demand change in real time. The NAACP honoring him with the Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award acknowledges his advocacy, vision, and courage to advance meaningful change.”

— Connie Orlando, Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET (praiserichmond.com)

What’s next

The '57th NAACP Image Awards' will air live on BET and CBS on Saturday, February 28, 2026, where additional winners will be announced.

The takeaway

Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant's recognition by the NAACP with the prestigious Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award underscores his longstanding commitment to advancing civil rights, economic justice, and community empowerment through his leadership, advocacy, and vision.