The Spingarn Medal is the highest honor awarded by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for outstanding achievement by an African American. It was established in 1914 by the NAACP to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the African American community in the United States. The medal is named after Joel Elias Spingarn, a former chairman of the NAACP's board of directors who helped establish the award.

Over the years, the Spingarn Medal has been awarded to notable individuals in various fields, including civil rights leaders, writers, musicians, and athletes. Past recipients of the Spingarn Medal include legendary figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Maya Angelou, and Muhammad Ali.

The Spingarn Medal continues to be an important symbol of recognition and encouragement for African Americans who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of their community and society as a whole.