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The 56th NAACP Image Awards, held this past weekend, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, was a night of celebration, recognition, and powerful messages. The evening honored outstanding achievements in film, television, music, and literature by people of color and stood out for its advocacy, support for communities in need, and bold fashion statements.
Notable Winners and Performances
Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight, directed by Tyler Perry, claimed the prestigious Outstanding Motion Picture award. Accepting her award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, Kerry Washington said, “This isn’t just a film; it’s a history lesson about bravery, sisterhood, and resilience that deserves to be remembered.”
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Keke Palmer, who won Entertainer of the Year, moved the audience with her powerful words: “This is for every young Black girl who’s ever dreamed of being seen and heard. Your voice matters, and your light shines bright.” Palmer also delivered an impromptu performance of “Defying Gravity,” paying homage to fellow nominee Cynthia Erivo.
Dave Chappelle, honored with the President’s Award, brought humor and depth to his speech: “Receiving this from the NAACP means more than any Netflix deal. Our stories matter, and our voices echo through history. My father used to say, ‘No matter how tough the road, keep walking.’ And that’s exactly what we’ll keep doing.”
Host and Performances
The night was hosted by comedian Deon Cole, whose quick wit and charm kept the audience entertained. “This isn’t just an award show—it’s a family reunion with a little bit of sparkle,” Cole joked during his opening monologue.
Musical performances lit up the stage, with Janelle Monáe delivering a commanding rendition of her latest hit, while H.E.R. performed a soulful tribute to Black musical pioneers that had the entire audience on their feet.
Support for Los Angeles Fire Victims
In response to the devastating Eaton Fire, the NAACP announced the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, in collaboration with BET Media Group, JSSK, and WME. The initiative focuses on supporting recovery efforts and preserving the rich cultural heritage of affected communities. Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “In times of crisis, we must stand together, rebuild, and honor the spirit of resilience that defines us.”
Political Messages
Political advocacy was a central theme of the night. Kamala Harris, receiving the Chairman’s Award, delivered a passionate speech: “We must organize, mobilize, and fight for our democracy. Shadows may gather, but our light will always shine brighter.” Her remarks underscored the urgency of civic engagement and community action.
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Dave Chappelle also used his platform to speak on freedom of expression and racial equality, saying, “Comedy has always been a mirror of society. If we don’t laugh at our struggles, we risk losing the joy that keeps us fighting.
Fashion and Style
The red carpet dazzled with elegance and individuality. Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a stunning appearance in a custom black LaQuan Smith suit, exuding confidence and poise. Kerry Washington shimmered in a floral-appliqué Prada ensemble, remarking, “Fashion is a form of storytelling, and tonight, I’m wearing a tribute to the incredible women of ‘The Six Triple Eight.’”
Cynthia Erivo impressed with a tailored Dolce & Gabbana suit, and Zoe Saldana brought a modern touch in a sleek Margiela gown paired with Louboutin heels. The evening’s fashion was a celebration of cultural pride and personal expression.
On the carpet, a number of BET stars spoke with Radio/TV personality Jazmyn Summers for Radio One.
Taraji Henson, who took home the prize for Outstanding Supporting Actress for Fight Night, told Summers,” NAACP Image Awards is so much more than entertainment, it’s about being seen the way we need to be. It’s about pushing the movement of our own narrative as a people. Black culture is American culture.”
Rapper and actor David Banner, who plays in Fight Night and Family Business, revealed for the first time that he was in the process of recording an upcoming album “I’m grateful that God has given me the opportunity to express myself in so many ways, ” he shared.
He noted that he recently struggled with depression and was speaking openly about it to empower others, especially Black men to deal with mental health issues.
“I’ve been going through some things personally. Coming out of the darkness I’m saying I’m not going to let anyone dim my light again. You gotta love yourself, that’s it.”
Diarra Kilpatrick, nominated for outstanding writing in a comedy series, revealed the inspiration for her unique show. Diarra in Detroit which stars Kilpatrick as a divorced schoolteacher who believes that she has been ghosted by her rebound Tinder date. Her search for the missing man pulls her into a mystery involving the Detroit underworld.
“I grew up cuddling with my grandmother and we would watch Matlock , Murder She Wrote, Perry Mason and I always wanted to see that kind of show with a Black woman at the center. My friends are out here dating and so many men are trash and I hear a lot about ghosting. I felt like it would be ‘let me find this dude, where have you been, what was your issue and why would you ever consider ghosting me? I just wanted to blend that all together with a real exploration of Black womanhood mystery and comedy, all the genres I love. For Diarra, if he ghosted her, he’s either dead, hurt or needs help.”
She teased season two, “It’s another mystery and the trouble from the first season follows them into the second She put a lot of work into finding her man but after you find your man, then what?”, mused the married creator of the series and while she lost to Crystal Jenkins for No Good Deed, “Letters of Intent” she feels like she won seeing the Vice President.
“She should have been our president and I hate that we are going to regret it so deeply. I almost cried. I’m proud of Black women. We supported her. We raised money for her. We came out to the polls. We understood the assignment. It’s really tragic that other people didn’t.”
Ed Quinn, star of the popular BET series the Oval, addressed being one of the few lead white characters in the show, “ I’m from Berkely, California. I’m the only white guy that started on my football team. I finally found home here in Atlanta at Tyler Perry studios. It’s an honor and a pleasure and the success of the marriage between BET and Tyler Perry is a blessing because no one has been on more canceled shows than me.”
Co-star Kron Moore said working with Tyler is “a ton of pressure. You have to do a ton of work. I love it. I consider us Olympians, we have to be nimble. We have to move very very fast, We are like athletes. We have to trust each other. It’s been a challenge but it’s a welcome one.”
Lynn Whitfield, the winner of the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the Chi reflected on the importance of the NAACP Image awards,
“I’m so grateful. It is a special honor to be celebrated by this important civil rights organization for the Chi which is a powerful story of our people, our triumph, overcoming challenges, and Black love. It’s always so great when we get together to celebrate each other.”
The Wayans Brothers were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame
To accept the award, family members including Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., and Kim Wayans took the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech that detailed the origins of their family’s start in comedy.
Marlon recalled watching his brother, Keenen, start his career in comedy thinking “Not only can you dream but you can make your dreams come true.”
We would not be here standing here if it wasn’t for our big brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans,” said Marlon.
Marlon, who also took home the trophy for Outstanding Guest Appearance for Bel Air, remarked “We do our own thing individually but then we are together like Voltron and that’s a testimony to my grandparents who raised us as a team.”
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Yolanda Adams shared that she will be getting back to Kingdom Business and going on tour in Africa and Asia.
Reflecting on the political moment we are in; she exhorted people to “hold on and make sure you are bombarding your senators and representatives with calls. Tell them I’ve supported you. Now stand up for me. I’ve seen these people crying on Instagram because they didn’t know what Trump was going to do. People’s hate will make them destroy an entire nation just because they want to hurt one type of people. That’s crazy. If love is not your basis, then you’re not a Christian. Jesus is never found stepping on people. He is lifting people up.”
Following the ceremony, Dave Chapelle held a private party and jam session with the Robert Glasper jazz ensemble until way after 2am. Juicy J, Marlon Wayans and will.i.am joined the spontaneous performance. Chapelle even freestyled some hip-hop. Deon Cole, Don Cheadle, and Roland Martin were among the folks who stopped by to celebrate.
The 56th NAACP Image Awards was not just a celebration of Black artistic excellence, it was a night of empowerment, unity, and reflection. With heartfelt speeches, unforgettable performances, and support for those affected by tragedy, the event underscored the enduring power of community and the importance of telling stories that inspire change.
Check out some fun tidbits from the red carpet on Jazmyn Summers youtube.
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Article by Jazmyn Summers. You can hear Jazmyn every morning on “Jazmyn in the Morning “on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown Folk Jamz . Subscribe to Jazmyn Summers’ YouTube. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.