The 56th NAACP Image Awards once again honored black excellence in entertainment, activism and beyond. Held on Feb. 22, this year’s ceremony celebrated artists, creators and leaders shaping culture and today’s society.
According to the NAACP, the Image Awards were first conceived by Toni Vaz in 1967 to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans and “to promote a positive image of Black people in Hollywood.”
Decades later, this event continues to shine the spotlight on influential African Americans, ensuring their contributions don’t go unnoticed.
Hosted by comedian and actor Deon Cole, the night was packed with major wins, highlighting the talent across various industries.
The awards he presented went to some of the most celebrated individuals, TV shows and movies of the year.
One of the biggest wins of the night came from the movie “Six Triple Eight,” a true story directed by Tyler Perry on the only all-Black, all-female Women’s Army Corps unit to serve overseas during World War I.
The film won five awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture and Outstanding Ensemble Cast. Several actors were recognized for their performances, with Kerry Washington winning Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture and Ebony Obsidian taking home Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
In their acceptance speech, they paid tribute to the actual women in the Six Triple Eight unit, stating, “Thank you to the 855 women of ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ who proved to us how extraordinary black women are, how extraordinary we have always been.”
Television stars had their moment as well, with Michael Rainey Jr. winning Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his role in “Power Book II,” while Quinta Brunson continues to shine as the creator and star of “Abbott Elementary,” earning the award for Outstanding Actress in the Comedy Series.
Music was another highlight of the night, where Kendrick Lamar was recognized for the fan favorite “Not Like Us,” while Beyonce was named Outstanding Female Artist. Rising star Docheii claimed the title “Outstanding New Artist,” and the soundtrack for “Wicked” won Outstanding Soundtrack Album.
The next generation was celebrated too, with “Gracie’s Corner” being awarded for its positive impact on the youth, winning both Outstanding Animated Series and Outstanding Children’s Program.
Beyond the awards, the night served to acknowledge real-world tragedies. The NAACP used this moment to bring attention to the California wildfires, delivering an emotional tribute to the Atlanta community.
Actor Morris Chestnut led the recognition, introducing 22 residents who lost their homes.
He gave a powerful speech, reminding the survivors to stand strong.
“Homes were lost, stores destroyed, countless lives shattered, but what was not lost is the spirit of our community and our resilience. It is in times like these that we show the world our strength,” Chestnut said.
The audience gave a standing ovation, awarding these survivors with hope and courage. R&B singer Ledisi followed this with a moving performance of the Black National Anthem, uniting the crowd to support those affected by the wildfires.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris was also honored, recognizing her contributions and leadership to this country. She was inducted into the NAACP with the Chairman’s Award.
After receiving the award, she gave a speech calling the civil rights organization vital to the contributions of the black community and urging people to stay resilient.
“We organize, mobilize, educate and advocate. This chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office, nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by you, written by us, by we the people,” Harris said.
The night ended successfully with many well-deserved wins, heartfelt speeches, and unforgettable tributes.
