The Spingarn Medal is awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for outstanding achievement by an African American. It was established in 1914 by Joel Elias Spingarn, a white Jewish civil rights activist who was a chairman of the NAACP board of directors. The medal is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards for African Americans in the United States.

Over the years, the Spingarn Medal has been awarded to a diverse group of individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including civil rights, literature, science, and the arts. Recipients have included prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Maya Angelou, and Toni Morrison.

The Spingarn Medal is named in honor of Joel Elias Spingarn, who was a prominent scholar, educator, and advocate for civil rights. The medal serves as a symbol of recognition and appreciation for the achievements of African Americans and their ongoing struggle for equality and justice.