Celebrating 5 Years of the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award

At the 57th Annual NAACP Image Awards, Archewell Philanthropies joined the NAACP in celebrating visionaries who use their voices, their platforms, and their expertise to create a more just and compassionate world. During the evening, we were honored to present the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award to legal scholar and advocate Dr. Mary Anne Franks, recognizing her extraordinary leadership in advancing equality and safety in the digital space.

Now in its fifth year, the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award honors those championing civil and human rights online; individuals confronting harassment, disinformation, and inequity, and reimagining technology as a tool for empowerment and accountability. Since its creation, every recipient of this award has been a woman whose courage and vision have helped reshape the digital landscape for the better.

This year’s honoree, Dr. Mary Anne Franks, is a nationally recognized legal scholar, author, and advocate whose work explores how technology can both protect and endanger fundamental rights. Dr. Franks is the president of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative and the author of the book Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment. She is a steadfast voice for equality; she has led efforts to combat online abuse and gender-based harassment, helping craft policies and legislation that center dignity, justice, and safety for all. 

Her recognition at this year’s Image Awards reflects a growing truth of our time: that protecting civil rights in the digital age is essential to protecting them everywhere. Archewell Philanthropies is honored to stand alongside partners and leaders who continue to ensure that both our online and offline communities reflect the same values of equity, compassion, and respect.