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Lucas to receive NAACP Vanguard Award

George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson arrive on the red carpet before the screening of the film "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" during the 63rd annual Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 14, 2010. UPI/David Silpa
George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson arrive on the red carpet before the screening of the film "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" during the 63rd annual Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 14, 2010. UPI/David Silpa | License Photo

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Writer-director-producer George Lucas is to receive the Vanguard Award at the 43rd NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, organizers said Monday.

The event is to take place at the Shrine Auditorium Feb. 17 and will air on NBC.

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Confirmed presenters for the ceremony include Samuel L. Jackson, LL Cool J, Vanessa Williams, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Archie Panjabi and Hill Harper.

Lenny Kravitz and Jill Scott are to perform during the 2-hour live special.

The Vanguard Award is presented to a person whose groundbreaking work increases understanding and awareness of racial and social issues, the organization said.

Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones film franchises, most recently produced "Red Tails," a movie inspired by the heroic exploits of America's first all-black aerial combat unit.

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