The Spingarn Medal is awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to honor outstanding achievements by African Americans. It was established in 1914 by the NAACP's chairman of the board, Joel Elias Spingarn, and was initially intended to recognize achievements in the field of literature or the arts.

Over the years, the criteria for the Spingarn Medal expanded to include all areas of excellence, including science, politics, civil rights activism, and sports. Some notable recipients of the Spingarn Medal include Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks.

The Spingarn Medal is considered one of the most prestigious awards for African Americans and has recognized the significant contributions and accomplishments of black individuals in various fields.