The NAACP Image Awards pay tribute to artists in music, literature, advocacy, business, and sports. When the Image Awards are presented this weekend, tennis star Serena Williams will be among the honourees.
The NAACP Image Awards will honour Williams with the Jackie Robinson Sports award for her success in the world of tennis, as a businesswoman, and her contributions to the community.
Previous recipients of the Jackie Robinson Sports awards include the Harlem Globetrotters, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, and Wilma Rudolph.
Speaking on Williams, president and CEO of the NAACP Derick Johnson said, “from her record-breaking wins on the tennis court to her business acumen to her philanthropic endeavors, she has set the bar for athletes everywhere.” Adding that Williams is the “quintessential example of Black excellence.”
Considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, Williams holds 23 Grand Slam singles titles including seven Wimbledon championships.
Williams served as an executive producer on the award winning biopic film about her family “King Richard”. In the field of business, she has her own venture capital firm, a fashion brand aimed at female empowerment, has written a children’s book, and is working with fellow athletes to create cruelty free pain and muscle care products.
Actress and music artist Queen Latifah will host the annual 54th annual NAACP Image Awards on February 25 in Pasadena. BET Network will carry the gala event.
Feature photo credit: Serena Williams smiling during her match with Maria Sakkari in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2020 US Open