Open Society Foundations President Patrick Gaspard will receive the NAACP’s prestigious Spingarn award at the Baltimore-based organization’s national convention in Detroit on July 24th. The Spingarn, established in 1914 by NAACP Board Chairman Joel E. Spingarn, is awarded “for the highest or noblest achievement by a living African American during the preceding year or years.”
“Patrick Gaspard is a global champion for civil and human rights. His contributions to campaigns to end police brutality, improve access to affordable health care, and increase dignity for working families is unparalleled,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a release. “For over 100 years, we have honored leaders who have served as pillars in the fight for justice and this year’s selection of the Patrick Gaspard is no exception.”
Last October, Gaspard was the keynote speaker at the final event in OSI-Baltimore’s 20th Anniversary Speaker Series (pictured).