PASADENA, CA — Former Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the NAACP Image Awards in one of her few public appearances since losing the 2024 presidential election and wasted little time addressing concerns about the political climate in the U.S.

Harris was honored with the NAACP Chairman’s Award on Saturday for her advocacy and activism.

To receive this award has very special meaning for me. As everyone here may know, I grew up inspired by the work of the NAACP. Inspired by all those who took up the fight for justice, for equality, and for opportunity. Their example is part of the reason I chose a life of public service, seeking to always live by the words of a distinguished NAACP founder W.E.B. Dubois when he said ‘It is today, that our best work can be done, and not some future day, or future year. And this sense of urgency, is what we must have today. Knowing, as the saying goes eternal vigilance is the price of liberty… the price of liberty. To stay alert, to seek the truth, and to actively participate in the fight for America’s future.

During her speech, without naming anyone, Harris seemed to be taking aim at President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter in our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the oval office nor by the wealthiest among us.

Past recipients of the NAACP Chairman’s Award include former President Barack Obama, Congressman John Lewis and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

More on the 2025 NAACP Image Awards and this year’s honorees.