Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union will receive the President’s Award at the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 8 p.m. EST on BET. The award is presented to those in honor of their “special achievement and distinguished public service.” Previous recipients include Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Muhammad Ali and Wade’s former teammate, LeBron James.
“We’re thrilled to present this award to Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade who together have consistently utilized their platforms to advance social justice and raise awareness to the inequalities existing in our country,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson said.
“We’re proud to recognize the couple’s tireless humanitarian work as they continue to advocate for equality and acceptance for all.”
Wade and Union have been extremely active in their respective philanthropic endeavors over the years. Union has offered financial support to a number of organizations, including Van Ness Recovery House, Leap for Ladies, Out Nebraska, Deborah’s Place, Harvest House, and Baltimore Safe Haven. She has also spearheaded the Lift As We Climb initiative, a year-round mission to uplift small Black businesses across the country. Meanwhile, Wade co-founded Social Change Fund United, an initiative designed to empower and uplift marginalized communities of color. Additionally, he launched the Spotlight On initiative, a nonprofit aimed at providing resources for youth in communities impacted by gun violence.
“Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade are exemplary in their purpose-driven leadership and use of their collective platforms for good,” BET CEO Scott Mills said.
“This year’s recipients of the NAACP President’s Award are not just a timely signifier of the issues that matter most to the community; they are a testament to what is possible when one commits themselves to advancement in those areas.”
