Singer/songwriter John Legend will receive the a special award at the NAACP Image Awards next week.
The NAACP said Tuesday that the “All of Me” singer will receive the NAACP President’s Award in honor of his philanthropic work to combat poverty around the world. Other recipients of the award include Muhammad Ali, President Bill Clinton, Soledad O’Brien, Kerry Washington and Spike Lee.
Legend, who won an Oscar earlier this year for co-writing the song “Glory” from Selma, helps run the Show Me Campaign, which began in 2007 to help people achieve their dreams and succeed. Legend also launched LRNG in 2014 with the MacArthur Foundation and The National Writing Project. His most recent effort is #FREEAMERICA, which hopes to use culture to help end mass incarceration in the U.S.
“John Legend is a passionate champion for both social justice and quality education for all,” Cornell William Brooks, the President and CEO of the NAACP said in a statement. “His contributions to music and artistic creativity have been recognized by peers and fans worldwide, and he is greatly admired for his humanitarian efforts through his Show Me Campaign. Legend remains a true inspiration through his philanthropic work, and I am truly proud to honor his altruistic efforts both domestically and internationally by bestowing upon him this year’s NAACP President’s Award.”
The NAACP Image Awards are on Feb. 5 and will air live on TV One.