LOS ANGELES - eTradeWire -- Link to Photos: HERE
Photo Credit: Play Golf Designs Inc., PGD Global

A time when many voices are being silenced, the NAACP delivered a powerful message through the 57th NAACP Image Awards Golf Invitational: We see you.

Held at El Caballero Country Club, the invitation-only event brought together NAACP Image Awards nominees, sports icons, entertainers, industry leaders and influential guests for a day centered on recognition, resilience and inclusiveness. As the official opening event of NAACP Image Awards Week, the invitational underscored the NAACP's mission to ensure excellence in all communities is seen, celebrated and supported across all spaces, including golf.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson welcomed Malinda Williams to the Clubhouse main stage for an opening breakfast conversation on the future of  economic power highlighting what it takes to transform resistance into momentum and culture into impact.

Before tee time, guests and media gathered with hosts Matt Barnes, professional basketball player and NBA Champion, and Seema Sadekar, professional golfer, personality and vice president of PGD Global. The duo welcomed attendees and acknowledged the collective resilience of the Los Angeles community, while reinforcing the purpose of the day, to see, honor and uplift those who continue to move culture forward.

Taking the putting green stage, President and CEO Derrick Johnson recognized the event's sponsors and celebrity participants, emphasizing the deeper meaning behind this year's theme.

"Today is about more than golf," Johnson said. "It's about visibility. It's about recognizing the people who continue to advocate, lead and push forward, often without acknowledgment. At a time when so many feel unseen, the NAACP is proud to say, we see you. We honor our history, affirm our present and remain committed to building a future where opportunity and access  are undeniable."

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Johnson also welcomed Kristy Fercho, head of Financial Inclusion and Opportunity at Wells Fargo, who highlighted the shared commitment between the organizations.

"We are proud of our partnership with the NAACP and honored to champion their longstanding mission," Fercho said. "Wells Fargo proudly supports the NAACP's commitment to economic empowerment and focus on driving meaningful change in the communities we serve everyday." This year's NAACP Nominee On-Course Awards Museum featured 18 NAACP Image Awards nominees, with each hole spotlighting a different honoree, creating moments for reflection, conversation and celebration throughout the course.

A featured experience, NAACP Icon Row, honored Black trailblazers whose contributions to business, culture and social justice have shaped generations, reinforcing the event's central message of recognition and remembrance.

The 2026 Golf Invitational featured 20 five-player teams, each led by a Celebrity Captain, competing in an 18-hole scramble format that blended friendly competition with community, culture and purpose.

Once all groups completed their rounds and scores were posted, clubhouse lounge guests and golfers joined sponsors in the grand dining room, where the stage was set for the much-anticipated winner announcements.

The "Sadekar Sisters" Seema Sadekar, alongside Nisha Sadekar, CEO and event producer of PGD Global, took the main stage to announce the winners in style. They also thanked NAACP Image Awards Week platinum partner and tournament sponsor Wells Fargo, along with Amazon, the scoreboard sponsor, and American Airlines, the clubhouse lounge and long-drive sponsor.

The closing ceremonies featured a lavish dinner and lively awards presentation, celebrating the day's top performers with walk up music and crowd cheers. The winners were:

Individual Winners
Daphnique Springs – Ladies Longest Drive
James Reese – Men's Longest Drive
Chris Sloan – Men's Closest to Pin
Pamela Smith – Women's Closest to Pin

1st Place Champions
Johnny Gill
Brian Courtney Wilson
Daphnique Springs
Patrick Jenkins
Keith Harper

2nd Place
Anthony Anderson
Jeremy Willis
James Reese
Kai Cunningham
Charles Brooks

3rd Place
Matt Barnes
Damien "Big Percy" Roderick

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DFL
Jazmin Erving
Harold Kim
Robert Sausedo
Brent Trotter
Prophet Walker

For more information, please contact:

Nisha Sadekar
CEO & Event Producer, PGD Global
(310) 926-4075
nisha@pgdglobal.com

Eileen Lopez
Media & Public Relations
Event Management & Advocacy Division
(562) 685-5744
eileen@pgdglobal.com

NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis | NAACPImageAwards@ssmandl.com
Ariana Drummond | ImagePublicist@naacpnet.org

About PGD Global
Play Golf Designs, Inc. (PGD Global) is the future of golf entertainment meets golf entry. An innovative golf-focused firm, directing and producing luxury and purposeful events and content for some of the world's most legendary athletes, brands, entertainers and organizations. PGD creates the most innovative golf tournaments and experiences with a focus on elevating and celebrating belonging within the game. In 2020 PGD Global announced "Project Fairway", a movement dedicated to growing the game of golf for young girls and women by connecting them with golf. PGD Global operates golf-lifestyle events and experiences all around the country, welcoming new golfers and businesses to the game with creativity, purpose and inspiration.

For more information please visit: http://pgdglobal.com/

About El Caballero Country Club
El Caballero Country Club (El Cab) is a private member-owned club in Tarzana, California offering members and their guests a world class golf and country club experience. Founded in 1957, the club features exceptional and personalized service, superb dining and social opportunities, and extensive recreational options. The El Cab membership principle is based on non-discrimination, the club evaluates prospective members on their honorable reputation, community service, and philanthropy, building a congenial and welcoming community.

El Cab's 18-hole championship golf course was originally designed by William Johnson. Robert Trent Jones Sr. redesigned the course in 1963 and, in 2021, his son Rees Jones completed a restoration to improve playability and sustainability. The resulting drastic 33% water usage reduction earned El Cab the Metropolitan Water District's Leadership in Conservation award and aligns with El Cab's compassionate core values and demonstrates the commitment to being a good environmental steward of a limited natural resource.

For more information please visit https://www.elcaballerocc.com/