Exemplifying Excellence at the NAACP Image Awards- Karen Boykin-Towns
With planning and submissions for the 55th NAACP Image Awards well underway (to be held in 2024), we are looking back at the 54th NAACP Image Awards, which were nothing short of record-breaking. With close to 3 million viewers and a whopping 72% increase in viewership from the previous year, it was a resounding success. Further, there was a 55% increase in media impressions and social interactions were up 1,658%. One of the leaders heavily involved with the event was Karen Boykin-Towns, Chair of the NAACP Image Awards Committee and an Executive Producer of the live broadcast.
Karen Boykin-Towns is no stranger to excellence and visionary leadership. Before her current role at the NAACP, she had an award-winning career at Pfizer, a Fortune 50 global biopharmaceutical company.
In a conversation with Kevin McNeir and NJ Urban News, Karen expressed her privilege and sense of responsibility in being part of an organization that has a significant impact on securing equal rights for all Americans. She emphasized her work is a team effort with Chairman of the Board Leon Russell, NAACP President/CEO Derrick Johnson, their national board of directors, and staff recognizing the strength of the Association lies with the leaders and members who make up the 2,200 branches across the country.
Karen’s involvement in the NAACP Image Awards goes beyond just executive producing. She takes immense pride in discussing the evolution of the awards ceremony, which has expanded into more than 80 categories, including film, television, streaming music, literature, podcasts, and, for the first time, costume design, make-up, and hairstyling. The Image Awards serve as a platform to celebrate Black excellence and uplift projects and artists that create positive and diverse work.
Karen’s dedication to the NAACP’s mission, coupled with her visionary leadership, has contributed significantly to the organization’s growth and impact. The NAACP’s Hollywood Bureau, celebrating 20 years, has been instrumental in advocating for a more inclusive industry and reflective content.
As the 55th NAACP Image Awards planning commences, Karen’s influence and guidance will undoubtedly ensure another groundbreaking event that celebrates Black excellence and continues to make strides in the fight for social justice.
Recognized as the nation’s premier multicultural awards show from an African-American perspective, submissions are now open for the 55th NAACP Image Awards show through November 3rd www.naacpimageawards.net
This article celebrates Karen Boykin-Towns’ remarkable contributions to the NAACP and highlights the importance of the NAACP Image Awards in promoting Black excellence and social justice.
Karen Boykin-Towns is a distinguished strategist who has forged a reputation as a global business and civic leader. Being solution-oriented, she focuses on creating strategies to tackle the problem at hand. Karen also serves as vice-chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors and committee chair of the Image Awards.
