The 54th NAACP Image Awards, with the support of Wells Fargo, is proud to acknowledge Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss) with the prestigious Chairman’s Award for his grassroots political activism and dedication to civil rights.

As the longest-serving Black elected official in Mississippi and the lone Democrat in the state's congressional delegation, Thompson is honored with an award that recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary public service and use their platforms to create agents of change. Past honorees include actor/producer/director Tyler Perry, the late Rep. John Lewis, and the late actress/activist Ruby Dee.

“Congressman Bennie Thompson is a voting rights icon with a remarkable career in politics spanning over three decades,” said Leon W. Russell, chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors.

Thompson, the son of Will and Annie (Lauris) Thompson was born 1948 in Bolton, Miss. He attended public schools in Hinds County and completed Hinds County Agricultural High School. His grassroots activism began shortly after while attending Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss. Today, the institution has over 1,150 works of art, some of which are more than 500 years old, on display at the Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center.

Thompson became an HBCU legend because of his commitment to advancing the principles of equality and justice in his work. It started during his undergraduate years. Thompson organized voter registration campaigns for Black voters on behalf of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) throughout the Mississippi Delta. With a passion for helping the youth and underserved and he was inspired after graduation to run for public office.

Thompson served as an alderman in Bolton before helming the city’s mayoral seat from 1973 to 1980. As mayor, he supervised the construction of city hall and the reassessment of the town's real estate. He also paved roads, fixed the water and sewer systems, and repaired and renovated dilapidated homes. As a founding member of the Mississippi Association of Black Mayors, he established policies and offered services that benefited disadvantaged Bolton residents.

Following Hurricane Katrina's devastation of Mississippi in 2005, Thompson vigorously pushed for reforms in disaster relief across government agencies and provided supervision to make sure that federal money was properly distributed for Gulf Coast recovery.

Thompson takes his obligation as a civil servant seriously, but no one would have ever expected him to risk his life on Jan. 6, 2021, to defend his fellow Americans during the U.S. Capitol insurrection. He resisted when Capitol Police told him and other lawmakers to crouch down for safety and remove their congressional lapel buttons — which he had worn for 13 terms — so they wouldn't become targets for the intruders.

“But our work must do much more than just look backward. Because our democracy remains in danger,” Thompson shared in a statement while investigating the insurrection. “The conspiracy to thwart the will of the people is not over. There are those in this country who thirst for power but have no love or respect for what makes America great: devotion to the Constitution, allegiance to the rule of law, our shared journey to build a more perfect Union.”

“As the chairman of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attacks, Thompson has worked tirelessly to protect and serve our country,” Russell said. “His continued public service and advocacy for social change make him an excellent recipient of the Chairman’s Award.”

When Thompson is not working in his office in Washington D.C., he spends his free time driving around Bolton in his truck. He also enjoys fishing and loves to bring a big catch home to London Johnson, his wife of more than 50 years. The couple has a daughter, BendaLonne Thompson-Griffith, and two grandchildren: Thomas Gordonand Jeanna Gordon.

Celebrating Thompson is just one of the many ways Wells Fargo has shown its commitment to HBCUs. A new collection of debit cards featuring artwork that represents HBCUs is now available where customers can proudly represent as students, graduates, faculty, and staff. Wells Fargo has dedicated more than $30 million to HBCUs through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). In addition to being the official sponsor of the NAACP Chairman's Award, Wells Fargo recently announced a $50 million grant to the NAACP.

“We value our long-standing relationship with the NAACP, and this grant is meant to strengthen the work we already do together to close economic gaps that have existed for far too long in our country,” said Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf in a press release statement. The financial institution has pledged a $50 million grant, which will be used towards the creation of NAACP’s new national headquarters building in Washington D.C. and further support the nation’s largest civil rights and social justice organization’s continued efforts to advance racial equity in America.

The NAACP and Wells Fargo congratulate Mississippi’s own Rep. Bennie G. Thompson with this year’s Chairman’s Award honor.

WATCH REP. BENNIE G. THOMPSON RECEIVE THE 2023 CHAIRMAN’S AWARD, SPONSORED BY WELLS FARGO, ON THE 54TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS LIVE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH AT 8:00 PM ET/PT ON BET.