The Spingarn Medal is an annual award presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to honor outstanding achievements by African Americans. It was established in 1914 by Joel Elias Spingarn, a white scholar and civil rights activist, who wanted to recognize the accomplishments of African Americans in various fields, including academics, arts, literature, science, and athletics.

The Spingarn Medal has been awarded to notable individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Barack Obama. The medal is considered one of the most prestigious honors in African American history and has played a significant role in highlighting the contributions of Black Americans to society.