NEWS

NAACP TAPS "THE BOONDOCKS" CREATOR
AARON MCGRUDER FOR CHAIRMAN'S AWARD

LOS ANGELES - (Feb. 13, 2002) - Aaron McGruder, artist and writer of the comic strip "The Boondocks," will receive the Chairman's Award during the 33rd Annual NAACP Image Awards, which tapes Feb. 23 and airs Friday, March 1 (8:00 - 10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Fox. The President's Award will be presented to National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

"The two people selected for the Chairman's and President's Awards reflect individuals at the pinnacle of their respective fields who have made significant contributions to either the country, their communities or their professions," said NAACP President and Chief Executive Officer Kweisi Mfume at a recent luncheon in Los Angeles to honor the recipients. "Dr. Rice and Mr. McGruder exemplify the best spirit of Americans."

"We are very proud of Aaron McGruder and his talent and creativity, which have sparked controversy and brought change to the institution of the American comic page. From the moment we saw it, we knew that the funny pages would never be the same," says John McMeel, chairman of Universal Press Syndicate, the company that distributes "The Boondocks" worldwide to some 250 newspapers and numerous Web sites.

The Chairman's Award, chosen by NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond, is bestowed for distinguished service and dignified representation of people of color. "Aaron McGruder's sharp artist's pen combines the biting tradition of Thomas Nast with the political sensibilities and humor of Ollie Harrington; he skewers the powerful from presidents to rap stars," Bond said. "At a young age, he has joined a tiny band of social satirists who use the medium of the cartoon to make us wonder and think. The NAACP is honored to salute him."

McGruder, creator of "The Boondocks," a colorful, multi-layered comic strip that explores themes never before mentioned on the comics pages, reaches a combined circulation of more than 90 million readers every day. The comic strip has been syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate since April 1999. He voices his thoughts on the world around him through Huey and Riley, two African-American inner-city youths who have moved to the suburbs with their grandfather. The two have pointed commentary on black America's racial adversities as well as other relevant topics that face urban society.

Teaming up with filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, McGruder developed an animated version of "The Boondocks," which was recently picked up as a pilot on a major network. Born in Chicago, McGruder grew up in Columbia, Md., and went on to graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in Afro-American Studies.

Prior recipients of the NAACP Chairman's Award include recording artist and actress Janet Jackson, former Commerce Secretary and Democratic National Committee Chairman Ron Brown, social activist and author Dick Gregory, social activist and performing artist Harry Belafonte, and Bernard Shaw, who received the Chairman's Award for journalistic excellence. In previous years, the President's Award has been awarded to news anchor Bryant Gumbel, former cabinet secretary Alexis Herman, and performing artist Lauryn Hill, with former President William Jefferson Clinton receiving the award during last year's ceremony.

The NAACP Image Awards are presented each year to those who strive for the portrayal of positive images and meaningful opportunities for African Americans in motion pictures, television, literature and recording. In previous years, the NAACP Image Awards has honored such entertainment luminaries as Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, Ella Fitzgerald, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Michael Jordan, Stevie Wonder and Whoopi Goldberg.

The theme of this year's Image Awards is "People United." Multi-award-winning producer/writer Suzanne de Passe will serve as executive producer of the NAACP Image Awards for a second year. The NAACP will present two more special honors at its awards ceremony, inducting an awardee into its Hall of Fame as well as naming an Entertainer of the Year.



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