‘Empire‘s Jussie Smollett is to be honoured by the NAACP Image Awards for his contributions to society.

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Smollett’s efforts to raise awareness for and fight HIV and AIDS as well as his critically acclaimed portrayal as the gay Jamal in the aforementioned series have earned him the NAACP Chairman’s Award which he will share with eight other recipients.

Roslyn Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors explains:

It is a rare privilege for me to present the NAACP Chairman’s 2016 Award to an outstanding group of trailblazing leaders all under the age of 50 who have given voice and vision to the mantra that black lives matter.The five individuals and three organizations have raised awareness of social, educational, and economic injustice from college campuses, church pulpits and the streets, and exemplify what this award symbolizes: ‘Courage Will Not Skip this Generation.

The actor will receive the award on February 5th 2016 and will see his acceptance of it aired on TV One when a two-hour edit of the awards ceremony will air.

Deadline adds:

Smollett is a longtime activist who has stood up for civil rights, HIV/AIDS awareness and more social justice causes since age 15. He volunteers with such nonprofits as the Black AIDS Institute, Artists for a New South Africa and United Negro College Fund. Recently he interrupted his performance at the BET Awards to speak out about the Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage.

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