Spingarn, << SPIHN gahrn, >> Medal is an annual award established by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1914 and first given in 1915. The award was named for Joel Elias Spingarn, chair of the NAACP board of directors. A gold medal goes each year to an African American for high achievement in his or her field in the previous year or over a period of time. See also National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Spingarn, Joel E.
