The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has given the hip-hop star Russell Simmons its 'Vanguard Award' in part for his work as chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. "Russell is deserving of this prestigious award because he has used the power of hip-hop to reach and inspire our nation's youth," said Clayola Brown, the civil rights group's Image Awards chairwoman. "Combined with his ongoing commitment to strengthening relations between ethnic communities and his generous charitable spirit, Russell was a natural choice to receive this honor."
Simmons chairs the foundation and Rabbi Marc Schneier, head of the WJC United States and vice-president of the World Jewish Congress is its founder and president. In recent years, the group has also tried to reach out to Muslim groups. Vanguard Awards are presented to "a person whose groundbreaking work increases our understanding and awareness of racial and social issues." Simmons received the award on 12 February during a live broadcast of the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. Previous honorees include Prince, Steven Spielberg and Aretha Franklin.
