On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Vice President Kamala Harris attended the 2025 NAACP Image Awards, where she was honored with the Chairman’s Prize. During the event, she delivered remarks highlighting the resilience, hard work, and optimism that define the legacy of the NAACP.

Vice President Harris was introduced by Devin Freeman, a senior Political Science major at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Freeman, who transferred to NCCU in 2021 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, has built a strong academic and leadership record focused on the intersections of law and public policy. His experience includes internships with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the NC Chamber, among others.

Freeman is a Spring 2023 initiate of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Kappa Chapter, NCCU) and has served in several leadership roles on campus, including Class President, NAACP President, and a Democratic National Convention Delegate. His achievements include receiving the Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Law and Public Policy Fellowship, the ‘Next Gen Leader’ White House Historical Association Fellowship, and other recognitions.

Beyond his leadership and policy work, Freeman is also an author. His children’s book, Building a Better Block with Brandon, is designed to empower children to be self-aware and solution-oriented.

Looking ahead, Freeman plans to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and will begin a Master’s in Public Administration at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy on a full-tuition scholarship in the fall of 2025. His long-term aspirations include earning a Juris Doctorate and continuing his path in public service.

The evening marked a moment of recognition not only for Vice President Harris but also for young leaders like Freeman, who represent the next generation of public servants and changemakers.