Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty’s business acumen is impossible to overlook. At 31, she is the highest-earning female musician and a staple in both the beauty and fashion industries.
Not only is she a nine-time Grammy award winner, executive producer, fashion designer, and actress; but she is a global advocate. In 2012, she founded The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, to support education and emergency response programs around the world.
Related: Rihanna Secures Additional $50 Million Funding for Savage X Fenty Brand
To honor her entrepreneurial and philanthropic work, today the NAACP announced that Rihanna will receive its most prestigious award, the President’s Award during the 51st NAACP Image Awards. The President’s Award is presented in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service, with previous recipients including last year’s recipient Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Jesse Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Soledad O’Brien, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and Muhammad Ali among others.
In a statement released by the organization, Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, commented on what sets Rihanna apart for the award.
“Rihanna has not only enjoyed a groundbreaking career as an artist and musician but has also distinguished herself as a stellar public servant. From her business achievements through Fenty to her tremendous record as an activist and philanthropist, Rihanna epitomizes the type of character, grace, and devotion to justice that we seek to highlight in our President’s Award.”
Johnson will present the award to Rihanna during the LIVE TV special on BET on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Pasadena, California.
Winners for the 51st NAACP Image Awards will be revealed during the LIVE TV special airing on BET on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at 8 pm/7c. Voting is still open to the public and fans are encouraged to submit their votes until February 7 online.
Furthermore, next month BLACK ENTERPRISE will acknowledge Rihanna’s global impact at our 15th annual Women of Power Summit.