NAACP Image Awards
The 56th NAACP Image Awards will take place on Feb. 22, 2025, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., where the show has been held 15 times since 1992. The ceremony will air live on BET.
Submissions for nominations consideration will open Monday, Aug. 26. All entries must be received by Friday, Nov. 8 at the NCAACP Image Awards’ website. Nominations will be announced on Jan. 7, 2025.
The 2024 NAACP Image Awards were held on March 16. Usher received the President’s Award and also won entertainer of the year and outstanding male artist. Among music stars, Victoria Monét and Chris Brown also won multiple awards. Monét won outstanding album for Jaguar II and outstanding new artist. Brown won three awards, including two (outstanding music video/visual album and outstanding duo, group or collaboration, contemporary) for “Sensational,” featuring Davido & Lojay.
Queen Latifah hosted the show the last two years. Anthony Anderson, star of the long-running blackish, hosted the eight years before that.
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The NAACP Image Awards, which originated in 1967, celebrates excellence in the categories of motion pictures, television + streaming, recordings, literature, and podcasts. A release says the show is committed to “uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to these values.”
Following are key dates and deadlines for the 56th NAACP Image Awards:
Monday, Aug. 26
Submissions open
Friday, Oct. 11
Early-bird submissions close
Friday, Nov. 8
Submissions close
Monday, Dec. 2
Nominating committee voting begins
Friday, Dec. 13
Nominating committee voting ends
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025
Nomination announcement; public voting begins
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025
56th NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, Calif.
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The 55th NAACP Image Awards concluded over the weekend and the stars were there in all their revelry as expected. Usher, Colman Domingo, and Fantasia Barrino were among the winners, which featured several nods for The Color Purple.
The NAACP Image Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Calif. last Saturday (March 16) and was hosted expertly by Queen Latifah. For those unaware, the ceremony highlights entertainers and performers across several genres which include television, film, music, and also podcasting.
Usher was named the Entertainer Of The Year and gave a moving acceptance speech that looked back over his three decades as a performer and how he’s grown with his fans. The singer also mentioned his recent marriage, how his mother was instrumental in his rise, and also his popular Las Vegas residency gig. Oprah Winfrey announced the award, which was a surprise for attendees.
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Speaking of Winfrey, The Color Purple earned several awards throughout the night as Fantasia Barrino took home the Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in the musical. Winfrey, cleverly decked out in purple, was the executive producer for the 2023 film alongside Steven Spielberg. The Outstanding Motion Picture award also went to The Color Purple.
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Taraji P. Henson, who has been outspoken about pay inequity for women in Hollywood, took home the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award for her role in The Color Purple. The film also took home the Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture award.
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Colman Domingo was a two-award winner, taking home the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in Rustin, and the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for The Color Purple. Domingo was also nominated for Entertainer Of The Year.
See the full list of the 55th NAACP Image Awards winners here.
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Photo: Getty
Usher was named entertainer of the year at the 55th annual NAACP Awards on Saturday night (March 16), which highlighted works by entertainers and writers of color.
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After Usher accepted his award at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the superstar R&B singer spoke about being thankful about the journey of his successful career that has lasted three decades.
He reeled off several of his recent big moments including his sold-out residency in Las Vegas, getting married, releasing his ninth studio album Coming Home and his Super Bowl halftime performance, which became the most-watched in the game’s history.
Usher beat out Colman Domingo, Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey and Keke Palmer.
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“I don’t know how many people do that much stuff in one setting,” said the multi-Grammy winner, who was presented the award by Oprah Winfrey. After being surprised by Winfrey’s presence, he thanked those who have supported him throughout the years.
“This is for you, you, my number ones,” the singer said as the audience repeated his words back to him. The final words of his speech were recited lyrics from his popular song “Superstar” from his 2024 album Confessions, which has sold more than 10 million units in the U.S.
Earlier in the ceremony, Usher was honored with the President’s Award for the singer’s public service achievements through his New Look Foundation. He thanked the strong women in his life, including his mother and wife Jenn Goicoechea, whom he married after his Super Bowl halftime performance last month.
“The say behind or beside or with every strong man is a stronger woman,” he said.
Queen Latifah hosted the awards ceremony aired live on BET.
The Color Purple was awarded best motion picture. The musical film featured star-studded cast including Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Domingo, H.E.R., Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins and Bailey.
Barrino, who starred as Celie in the film, won for best actress in a motion picture.
“I didn’t prepare a speech, because I didn’t think I was going to win,” the singer-actor said. “I was afraid to play Celie, but I’m glad I did. Because I kept saying ‘If I don’t win an award, the awards that I will win will come from the people who watched Color Purple and the women who will relate to her and feel like Oscars when they walk out.’”
New Edition was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. The induction is bestowed on individuals who are viewed as pioneers in their respective fields and whose influence shaped their profession.
“We stand here in brotherhood,” said Michael Bivins while his group members behind him. The Grammy-nominated group includes Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe and Ricky Bell.
“You’ve seen our story. You know what we’ve been through,” said Bivins, who spoke about the group overcoming conflict and tension in their earlier years to now holding a residency in Las Vegas.
“But we call each other every day,” he continued. “We text each other every day. We check on our families. You watched us grow up. We’re still growing.”
Damson Idris won best actor in a drama television series for his role in Snowfall. Henson and Domingo took home best supporting roles in The Color Purple. Domingo also won best actor in a motion picture for his role in Rustin.
Usher will receive the President’s Award at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, to be held on Saturday, March 16, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. This award dates to 1987 and has been presented to a mix of musicians, political figures, film stars, athletes and others.
Previous music stars to receive the honor – which is presented “in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service” – are Ella Fitzgerald (the inaugural winner, 1987), Lauryn Hill (1999), John Legend (2016), Jay-Z (2019) and Rihanna (2020).
Usher has already won two 2024 NAACP Image Awards in pre-telecast presentations. He won outstanding male artist and outstanding soul/R&B song for “Good Good,” his hit collaboration with Summer Walker and 21 Savage. And Usher is nominated for the top prize, entertainer of the year, which will be presented on the live telecast. In that category, he is competing with Colman Domingo, Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey and Keke Palmer.
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The show will air live on Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET, CBS, BET Her, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, Pop, Smithsonian Channel, TV Land. The show will also stream live on the CBS network feed available on Paramount+.
Usher headlined Apple Music’s halftime show for Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, just days after the release of his ninth album, Coming Home, which marked his debut as an independent artist. Usher has won eight Grammy Awards and has landed nine No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200.
Usher is the founding chairman of Usher’s New Look, which has served more than 55,000 youth worldwide through education and mentorship. His commitment to philanthropy and social activism has earned him the NAACP’s 2010 Ford Freedom Award Scholar and Morehouse College’s 2014 Candle Award.
“We are honored to present this year’s President’s Award to Usher for his unparalleled talent and remarkable contributions as an artist and advocate for our community,” Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said in a statement. “Beyond his vocal talent and stage presence, Usher has empowered thousands of under-resourced youth to pursue their dreams through college readiness programs, financial literacy, and career planning. His dedication to creating positive change in the world has touched countless lives, redefining the boundaries of creativity and compassion.”
“Usher stands as a distinguished multihyphenate performer, consistently setting new standards for Black Excellence,” BET president and CEO Scott Mills, said in a statement. “With a career spanning over three decades, Usher has earned his place as one of the foremost performers of our era and a beacon for social change in our community. It is a profound honor to recognize his extraordinary impact and lasting legacy.”
Andra Day will be the only performer on the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, which will be hosted by Queen Latifah. Presenters include Donnie Wahlberg, Idris Elba, Jeffrey Wright, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, Leslie Jones, Sterling K. Brown and Taraji P. Henson.
Previously announced honorees include poet laureate Amanda Gorman, who will be honored with the Chairman’s Award, and R&B supergroup New Edition, who will receive the Hall of Fame Award.
For the first time, BET and the NAACP will broaden access by providing audio descriptions for the live telecast. This ensures that blind and visually impaired viewers will be able to take in all the action occurring on the screen. VITAC and Audio Eyes will provide the audio description on the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) channel.
The night kicks off live at 7 p.m. ET on BET, BET Her and VH1 with the 55th NAACP Image Awards Red Carpet Live! hosted by Terrence J, Naturi Naughton, and Novi Brown.
NAACP will also recognize winners during a Fashion Show on March 15.
Andra Day is set to perform at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, which will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16. Day, who received an Oscar nomination three years ago for her lead performance in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, will be the only performer on the show.
Presenters include Donnie Wahlberg, Idris Elba, Jeffrey Wright, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, Leslie Jones, Sterling K. Brown and Taraji P. Henson.
Queen Latifah is set to host the show for the second year in a row. Poet laureate Amanda Gorman will be honored with the Chairman’s Award. R&B supergroup New Edition will receive the Hall of Fame Award.
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The show will air live on Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET, CBS, BET Her, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, Pop, Smithsonian Channel, TV Land. The show will also stream live on the CBS network feed available on Paramount+.
For the first time, BET and the NAACP will broaden access by providing audio descriptions for the live telecast. This ensures that blind and visually impaired viewers will be able to take in all the action occurring on the screen. VITAC and Audio Eyes will provide the audio description on the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) channel.
The night kicks off live at 7 p.m. ET on BET, BET Her and VH1 with the 55th NAACP Image Awards Red Carpet Live! hosted by Terrence J, Naturi Naughton, and Novi Brown.
NAACP will also recognize winners during the Awards Dinner on March 14 and Fashion Show on March 15.
Here’s the host, performer and presenters for the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.
Host
Queen Latifah
Performer
Andra Day
Presenters
Delroy Lindo
Deon Cole
Diarra Kilpatrick
Donnie Wahlberg
Erika Alexander
Idris Elba
Jeffrey Wright
Keke Palmer
Kenya Barris
Kerry Washington
Leslie Jones
Lil Rel Howery
Morris Chestnut
Ryan Michelle Bathe
Sabrina Elba
Sterling K. Brown
Taraji P. Henson
Victoria Monét and Chris Brown were each double winners on night one of the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, which were held virtually at naacpimageawards.net on Monday (March 11).
Monét won outstanding album and outstanding new artist, both for Jaguar II. Brown won outstanding duo, group or collaboration (contemporary) for his hit “Sensational (featuring Davido & Lojay, and outstanding duo, group or collaboration (traditional) for his featured role on Ciara’s “How We Roll.”
Monét won three Grammys on Feb. 4, including in two similar categories – best R&B album and best new artist.
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Usher, H.E.R., Megan Thee Stallion, Kirk Franklin and Tems were among other winners across 13 music categories.
Actor Khleo Thomas hosted Monday’s show. NAACP will continue to recognize winners in non-televised categories virtually until Wednesday March 13 on www.naacpimageawards.net, at an awards dinner and program on Thursday March 14 and the fashion show on Friday March 15. The awards dinner will be hosted by Sherri Shepherd and will honor Frankie Beverly with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The fashion show will be hosted by Brandee Evans and will honor June Ambrose with the NAACP Vanguard Award for Fashion.
The televised 55th NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Queen Latifah, will premiere live on Saturday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. New Edition will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame on the telecast.
Monday’s awards focused on music and literary categories. Here’s the full list of music winners from Monday.
Outstanding album: Jaguar II – Victoria Monét
Outstanding male artist: “Good Good” – Usher with 21 Savage x Summer Walker
Outstanding female artist: “The Journey” – H.E.R.
Outstanding duo, group or collaboration (traditional): “How We Roll” – Ciara feat. Chris Brown
Outstanding duo, group or collaboration (contemporary): “Sensational” – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay
Outstanding new artist: Jaguar II – Victoria Monét
Outstanding hip hop/rap song: “Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion
Outstanding soundtrack/compilation album: The Color Purple – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – Various Producers
Outstanding original score for TV/film: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Jongnic Bontemps
Outstanding international song: “Me & U” – Tems
Outstanding jazz album: Brand New Life – Brandee Younger
Outstanding gospel/Christian song: “All Yours” – Kierra Sheard feat. Anthony Brown
Outstanding gospel/Christian album: Father’s Day – Kirk Franklin
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Source: handout / NAACP
The upcoming NAACP Image Awards list of honorees will feature Frankie Beverly and New Edition receiving prestigious achievement awards.
Source: handout / NAACP
On Thursday (March 7), BET and the NAACP announced that New Edition will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. The iconic group from Roxbury, Massachusetts who expanded the reach of R&B, attaining superstardom in the process with hits like “Can You Stand The Rain”, will receive the honor at the upcoming 55th NAACP Image Awards. The award goes to individuals whose careers have made a generational impact on their profession. The event will be hosted by Grammy Award-winning musician and actress Queen Latifah at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on Saturday, March 16.
In addition, legendary R&B singer and songwriter Frankie Beverly will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. That award is presented to those individuals who’ve made significant contributions to the entertainment industry and to civil rights. Responsible for such timeless hits as “Joy and Pain” and the summer barbecue anthem “Before I Let Go”, Beverly will receive the award at the NAACP Image Awards Dinner which will be held on March 14. He recently received the Living Legend Award at the 2024 Urban One Honors.
“It is our distinct honor to celebrate New Edition and Frankie Beverly–two musical icons that have been instrumental in shaping our cultural landscape with their remarkable talent and enduring influence,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson in a statement announcing the honors. “We recognize the power of their artistry in showcasing the enduring power of Black excellence in the arts.”
“New Edition and Frankie Beverly’s influence has laid the foundation for modern R&B, shaping the genre’s sonic landscape and resonance in numerous ways. From the acclaimed ‘The New Edition Story’ on BET to our commemoration of Frankie Beverly at the 2012 BET Awards, we are thrilled to celebrate these musical luminaries, whose melodies are intricately woven into the very fabric of our culture,” said BET Executive Vice President of Music Programming & Music Strategy Connie Orlando in a statement.
The NAACP Image Awards will air on BET and be simulcast on CBS.
New Edition will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame during the 55th NAACP Image Awards, which will air live on Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. Queen Latifah is set to host the show.
New Edition is the seventh group to receive this honor, following The Four Tops, The O’Jays, The Temptations, The Dells, Earth, Wind & Fire and The Isley Brothers.
R&B singer and songwriter Frankie Beverly will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award during the NAACP Image Awards Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, March 14 in Los Angeles. The award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to civil and human rights in addition to their contributions in the entertainment industry.
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“It is our distinct honor to celebrate New Edition and Frankie Beverly – two musical icons that have been instrumental in shaping our cultural landscape with their remarkable talent and enduring influence,” NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “We recognize the power of their artistry in showcasing the enduring power of Black excellence in the arts.”
Connie Orlando, EVP specials, music programming & music strategy at BET, added: “New Edition and Frankie Beverly’s influence has laid the foundation for modern R&B, shaping the genre’s sonic landscape and resonance in numerous ways. … We are thrilled to celebrate these musical luminaries, whose melodies are intricately woven into the very fabric of our culture.”
Both acts have received Lifetime Achievement Awards on the separate BET Awards. Beverly’s group, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, received the honor in 2012. New Edition was honored five years later. In addition, BET aired the miniseries The New Edition Story (produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment), which aired over three nights in January 2017.
New Edition landed five No. 1 hits on what is now Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the 1980s and ’90s: “Candy Girl,” “Cool It Now,” “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Can You Stand the Rain” and “Hit Me Off.” In addition, group members Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant and the members of spinoff group Bell Biv DeVoe (Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe) have achieved success on their own. New Edition’s The Culture Tour was named the top R&B concert of 2022. Most recently the group has embarked on a residency at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly had a pair of No. 1 hits on what is now Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in the ’80s – “Back in Stride” and “Can’t Get Over You.” The group had 29 hits on that chart between 1977 and 1994. Remarkably, Beverly was the sole author of every single one of them. In 2019, Beyoncé covered Beverly’s 1981 hit with Maze, “Before I Let Go,” on Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé and in her corresponding album, Homecoming: The Live Album. Beyoncé was born two weeks after Maze’s record entered what is now known as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, a sign of the staying power of Beverly’s songs.
Both New Edition and Beverly have been under-recognized by the Grammy Awards. New Edition received just one Grammy nod — best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal for “If It Isn’t Love” 35 years ago. Beverly has never been nominated for a Grammy – on his own or with Maze.
NAACP will recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories from March 11-13 on its website, during the Awards Dinner on March 14 and Fashion Show on March 15.
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Source: Amy Sussman / Getty
Multi-hyphenate entertainer Queen Latifah will once again host the NAACP Image Awards, which is set to air in two weeks on BET.
On Tuesday (March 5), the NAACP along with BET and CBS announced that Queen Latifah will be back to host the esteemed 55th NAACP Image Awards. The prestigious ceremony will air live on BET and be simulcast on Saturday, March 16 at 8:00 P.M. ET. The Grammy Award-winning musician, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning actor and producer hosted the event last year and recently received the Governor’s Award in addition to kicking off the fourth season of her highly acclaimed CBS series The Equalizer which she stars in and produces.
The award-winning writer and poet Amanda Gorman, who performed at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, will be presented with the Chairman’s Award which honors those who use their platforms to effect positive change. Creative director and designer June Ambrose, who has been a creative director at PUMA in addition to being responsible for many of the significant looks in Hip-Hop culture, will also be presented with the Vanguard Award at the Image Awards’ Fashion Show on Friday, March 15. Other honorees at the awards will be recognized in a non-televised separate dinner which will take place on March 14.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with groundbreaking megastar Queen Latifah and are elated to welcome her again as this year’s host! We also look forward to honoring changemaker and poet Amanda Gorman and fashion icon June Ambrose for their tremendous impact on culture,” said BET EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy director Connie Orlando. “Queen Latifah, NAACP, and Pastis have been such incredible partners in amplifying Black culture, excellence, creativity, and ingenuity, and this year’s unforgettable show will be no different.”
“The NAACP Image Awardsis an important celebration for our community and industry every year, the group’s President and CEO Derrick Johnson said. “We get the opportunity to highlight the major accomplishments of artists, writers, entertainers, activists, and other change makers that push Black excellence forward in a powerful way.” The 55th NAACP Image Awards will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. More information can be found on their website.
Queen Latifah will return to host the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, which are set to air live on Saturday (March 16) at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. Latifah also hosted last year’s show. This year’s event will be held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, where the show took place from 2006-13. […]