The President’s Award, selected by the NAACP President and CEO Kweisi Mfume, is presented to individuals exemplifying high standards of character, conviction and achievement.

"Bishop T.D. Jakes has been called the ‘Shepard to the shattered,’ as he reaches out to the poor and the rich, the young and old; those behind bars, those in the classroom, people in the inner-city and people in the suburbs, “ said Mfume. “From The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, he preaches to people of all colors and ethnicity. Time magazine said: `The only thing more exhilarating than the style of T.D. Jakes’ sermons is their rigor and compassion.' “ “But he is more than a preacher. He is a community advocate, humanitarian, author, songwriter, playwright, conference speaker and broadcaster,” Mfume said. “I can think of no one who more epitomizes what the NAACP Image Awards represents and who is more deserving of receiving this year’s President’s Award.”

Bishop Thomas D. Jakes, Sr., pastor, community advocate, humanitarian, author, songwriter, playwright, conference speaker and broadcaster, credits his parents, who were charitable benefactors in their South Charleston, West Virginia community for his own integrity, discipline and self-reliance. From a young age, he was devoted to the gospel and in 1979 began fulfilling his call to the ministry by founding and serving as pastor of Greater Emmanuel Temple of Faith, a 10-member storefront church in Montgomery, West Virginia.

Twenty-five years later, Bishop Jakes pastors what Christianity Today calls, “one of America’s fastest growing mega-churches.” Named The Potter’s House, this multiracial, nondenominational church with 56 ministries has dominated church growth records since 1996. In only five years since relocating the church from West Virginia to Dallas, The Potter’s House has grown from 50 families to more than 28,000 members. Through its many programs, The Potter’s House has made great strides in Dallas to help turn around the lives of the homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, single mothers and others in life-threatening circumstances.

Bishop Jakes also is a renowned religious author with 27 books to his credit. He created Touchdown Concepts, a theatre production company that has produced two number one gospel plays in the U.S.. The first effort of his music label, Dexterity Sounds, resulted in “The Storm Is Over” debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel chart, and received a Grammy nomination.

Previous NAACP President’s Award recipients include tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in 2003, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, performing artist Lauryn Hill, former President Bill Clinton, radio network celebrities Tom Joyner and Tavis Smiley and former Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman.

Sponsors of the 35th NAACP Image Awards include American Airlines, Bank of America, Blockbuster, General Motors and Nationwide Insurance and Financial Services.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premiere advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

source: The Caraway Group / Kevin Trigg / kevin@TheCarawayGroup.com / or Dion Warrick / 202.965.2810, EURweb.com