Harry Belafonte

Singer, Songwriter, Activist & Actor 2013 Recipient of the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal

Harry Belafonte’s life and work reflect so much of The Action Lab’s values, and his tireless work for social justice, liberation, and progress continues to inspire us. The huge life he led was one of integrity, fearlessness, and solidarity. Over his 96 years, Harry Belafonte was honored by countless leading progressive organizations, governments, and artists, including the American Jewish Congress, the NAACP, City of Hope, Fight for Sight, the Urban League, the National Conference of Black Mayors, the ACLU, the State Department, Boy Scouts of America, Hadassah International, and the Peace Corps. He received the Albert Einstein Award from Yeshiva University, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize, the Acorn Award from Bronx Community College, and the Kennedy Center Honors for excellence in the performing arts. He was the first recipient of the Nelson Mandela Courage Award and was honored with the 1994 National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. He was awarded a number of honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Humane Letters from Columbia and in 2013 he received of the Spingarn Medal, the most prestigious award bestowed by the NAACP.