the spingarn medal is awarded annually by the national association for the advancement of colored people (naacp) for outstanding achievement by an african american. the award was created in 1914 by joel elias spingarn, chairman of the board of directors of the naacp. it was first awarded to biologist ernest e. just in 1915. the gold medal is valued at $100, and spingarn left $20,000 in his will for the naacp to continue giving it indefinitely.