Tonight, NAACP and BET honored Black excellence in music, television and film across 90 categories at the “55th NAACP Image Awards.” Hosted by GRAMMY® award-winning recording artist, critically acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actor and producer Queen Latifah (series star/executive producer of The Equalizer, CBS), the legendary show aired live at 8 pm ET / PT on BET, CBS and additional Paramount Networks live from the Shrine Auditorium. Colman Domingo, Fantasia Barrino, Mike Epps, Quinta Brunson, The Color Purple, Usher and more took top honors. Special awards recipients delivered moving speeches, including Amanda Gorman, New Edition, and Usher. Watch an encore of the “55th NAACP Image Awards” Monday, March 18 at 7 PM ET/PT on BET.
Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the “55th NAACP Image Awards” continues its tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to these values.
- Blue Bloods (CBS) star and New Kids on the Block singer Donnie Wahlberg inducted New Edition into the NAACP Hall of Fame.
- Keke Palmer and Lil Rel Howery presented Quinta Brunson with her award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Abbott Elementary (ABC) and Mike Epps for his award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in The Upshaws (Netflix).
- For host Queen Latifah’s birthday, American Fiction actress and Living Single (FOX) co-star Erika Alexander directed the audience to sing Happy Birthday, led by actress Sheryl Lee Ralph.
- Colman Domingo took home the awards for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Rustin and The Color Purple, respectively.
- Chairman’s Award recipient Amanda Gorman delivered a powerful poetic speech while accepting her award, presented by NAACP Chairman Leon Russell.
- Fantasia Barrino took the stage to accept her award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, presented by Idris and Sabrina Elba.
- President’s Awards recipient Usher honored his mom and the Black community during his speech after being honored by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.
- The Color Purple cast graced the stage to accept their award for Outstanding Motion Picture, presented by UnPrisoned (Hulu) stars Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo.
- To close out the night, Usher took home his award for Entertainer of the Year, presented by Oprah Winfrey in a surprise appearance.
“55th NAACP Image Awards” was simulcast on BET Her, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, Pop, Smithsonian Channel™, TV Land, and streaming live on the CBS network feed available on Paramount+.
NAACP also recognized winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually March 11-13 on www.naacpimageawards.net and at the Awards Dinner on March 14. For information and updates, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.
The “55th NAACP Image Awards” is supported by the following sponsors, Wells Fargo (presenting sponsor), Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Procter & Gamble, Diageo, Denny’s, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines. Our partners include: Bacardi, CVS Health, Entergy, Hyatt, Intuit, L’Oréal, Lyft, Planned Parenthood, SheaMoisture, Uncle Nearest, SPILL and Variety Magazine.
One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years’ attendees and winners include Angela Bassett, Zendaya, Will Smith, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle Union, Tems, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Silk Sonic, Rihanna, Quavo, Takeoff, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks, and many more
