Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), will present Tyler Perry with the President’s Award at the upcoming Keepers of the Dream Awards on April 12. Perry will receive the award for his contributions to the entertainment industry and his humanitarian efforts.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Perry stepped up and helped those who were struggling. He purchased groceries for the elderly in Georgia and Louisiana, donated to the legal defence fund of Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, paid for the funeral expenses of Rayshard Brooks and Secoriea Turner, and covered travel expenses for George Floyd’s family. Perry’s support for NAN started almost two decades ago when he participated in a march in Louisiana in favour of the Jena Six.
Rev. Sharpton praised Perry for embodying the American Dream, stating that he is a “Black man who took his gift with the pen and turned it into a commercial empire the likes of which we’ve never seen before.” Perry has also used his success to elevate other Black people and their stories, both in front of and behind the camera, and has been a vocal advocate for social justice.
The Keepers of the Dream Awards are presented annually on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination to celebrate individuals who have advanced civil rights. This year’s event will take place on the first night of the NAN Convention in New York City from April 12 to April 15. Perry will be presented with the award by Rev. Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, and Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman of the NAN.
Perry’s dedication to uplifting his community and using his platform for good is truly admirable. His generosity during the pandemic and support for social justice issues have not gone unnoticed, and it is fitting that he is receiving this honour from NAN. The President’s Award is a well-deserved recognition of Perry’s achievements, and we can only imagine what he will accomplish in the future.
