Georgia Democrat and civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his autobiography, “Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change.”

This marks the first time Lewis has been recognized by the organization for an artistic endeavor. He was honored with the Spingarn Medal — the NAACP’s annual outstanding achievement award — in 2002; Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., received the Spingarn Medal in 2007.

Lewis faces stiff competition for the literary prize in biography/autobiography, squaring off against authors Tom Reiss (“The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo”), Will Allen (“The Good Food Revolution: Growing Healthy Food, People, and Communities”), RJ Smith (“The One: The Life and Music of James Brown”) and former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan (“Interventions: A Life in War and Peace”).

A Lewis aide told HOH the pol remained noncommittal about attending the 44th annual Image Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Feb. 1.