Black excellence<\/a>, with awards distributed across 90 categories (film, television, media, literature, music, streaming, podcast). Including the organization\u2019s special awards: Chairman\u2019s Award, President\u2019s Award, and Hall of Fame Awards. The special honors were happily presented to veteran actress Viola Davis, noted actor Colman Domingo, and legendary hip-hop performers Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella. Samuel L. Jackson also led a powerful tribute to the late Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson.<\/p>\nHowever, honoring women was a central focus of this year’s ceremony. <\/p>\n
Viola Davis, EGOT winner and the recipient of this year\u2019s Chairman\u2019s Award, inspired the audience with a rousing speech: \u201cI always feel like I\u2019m going to step into feeling like I deserve it. I like this quote, that the definition of hell is on your last day on Earth, the person you became meets the person that you could have become,\u201d she continued. \u201cI say that about our nation, I say that about myself; that there is no becoming until you face the depth and the darkness of your own soul. There is no becoming without healing and without a radical acceptance of one\u2019s truth. I know that about myself growing up in poverty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davis took a moment to reflect on her upbringing and the challenges she faced as a child. \u201cLittle chocolate girl with thick lips and a wide nose in Rhode Island in 1965. I didn\u2019t see hope. I didn\u2019t see dreams. I just wanted to be somebody. I wanted success because I thought it was significant. And no one can describe the journey of going from the little chocolate girl searching for hope, searching for God, and the girl living a transcendent life.\u201d<\/p>\n
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: Viola Davis accepts the Chairman’s Award, presented By Capital One, onstage during the 57th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 28, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin\/Getty Images for BET)<\/p>\n
Getty Images for BET<\/p>\n
She continued, \u201cThat is a hero\u2019s journey, and we have only to follow the thread of a hero\u2019s path. And where we had thought we would find an abomination, we shall find a God. And where we thought that we could slay the other, we will slay ourselves. And where we had thought to journey outwards, we shall come to the center of our own existence,\u201d Davis added. \u201cAnd where we had thought to be alone, we shall come to be with all the world. There is no soul of a nation without the soul of its people. And the soul of its people is not just who is represented in the breathing and alive people in this room, but by all those who are no longer here. We either move forward together or not at all. No man behind the curtain has control over your life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur crown has already been bought and paid for,\u201d she said. \u201cAll we have to do is wear it.\u201d<\/p>\n
See the winners’ list below.<\/p>\n
Chairman\u2019s Award honoree: Viola Davis <\/p>\n
Hall of Fame honorees: Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella <\/p>\n
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture<\/p>\n
Cynthia Erivo \u2013 \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson \u2013 \u201cAbbott Elementary\u201d (ABC)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Angela Bassett \u2013 \u201c9-1-1\u201d (ABC)<\/p>\n
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: (L-R) Cheryl James aka Salt, DJ Spinderella and Sandra Denton aka Pepa of Salt-N-Pepa, winners of the Hall Of Fame Award, presented By Tide pose in the Trophy Lounge during the 57th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 28, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett\/Getty Images for NAACP)<\/p>\n
Getty Images for NAACP<\/p>\n
Creative Honors winners: February 26<\/p>\n
NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award <\/p>\n
Dr. Mary Anne Franks<\/p>\n
Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)<\/p>\n
Taraji P. Henson \u2013 \u201cStraw\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Talk Series<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Jennifer Hudson Show\u201d (Syndicated)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series<\/p>\n
Aisha Hinds \u2013 \u201c9-1-1\u201d (ABC)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture<\/p>\n
Naya Desir-Johnson \u2013 \u201cSarah\u2019s Oil\u201d (Amazon MGM Studios)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)<\/p>\n
Leah Sava Jeffries \u2013 \u201cPercy Jackson and the Olympians\u201d (Disney+)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series<\/p>\n
Janelle James \u2013 \u201cAbbott Elementary\u201d (ABC)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture<\/p>\n
Wunmi Mosaku \u2013 \u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros. Pictures)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Drama Series<\/p>\n
\u201cReasonable Doubt\u201d (Hulu)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Digital Creator- Art\/Comedy<\/p>\n
Tee Sanders \u2013 @teesanderscomedy<\/p>\n
Outstanding Digital Creator- Political\/Culture<\/p>\n
Lynae Vanee \u2013 @lynaevanee<\/p>\n
Virtual award winners: <\/p>\n
Outstanding Children\u2019s Program<\/p>\n
\u201cGracie\u2019s Corner\u201d (YouTube TV)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Animated Series<\/p>\n
\u201cGracie\u2019s Corner\u201d (YouTube TV)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)<\/p>\n
Kyla Pratt \u2013 \u201cThe Proud Family: Louder and Prouder\u201d (Disney+)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)<\/p>\n
Quinta Brunson \u2013 \u201cZootopia 2\u201d (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special<\/p>\n
Deanna Nowell \u2013 \u201cIronheart\u201d (Disney+)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)<\/p>\n
Cassandra Mann \u2013 \u201cUnexpected Christmas\u201d (3 Diamonds Entertainment LLC)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series<\/p>\n
Aisha Muharrar \u2013 \u201cHacks\u201d \u2013 \u201cClickable Face\u201d (HBO Max)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series<\/p>\n
Cynthia Adarkwa \u2013 \u201cThe Pitt\u201d -\u201c12:00 P.M.\u201d (HBO Max)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special<\/p>\n
Aireka Muse \u2013 \u201cFriends & Lovers\u201d (Lifetime Movie Network)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited\u2013Series or Dramatic Special<\/p>\n
Teyana Taylor \u2013 \u201cStraw\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n
Outstanding New Artist<\/p>\n
Monaleo \u2013 \u201cWho Did the Body?\u201d (Columbia Records)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Female Artist<\/p>\n
Cardi B (Atlantic Records)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Hip-Hop\/Rap Song<\/p>\n
\u201cErrTime\u201d \u2013 Cardi B (Atlantic Records)<\/p>\n
Outstanding International Song<\/p>\n
\u201cIs It\u201d \u2013 Tyla (Epic Records)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Jazz Album<\/p>\n
\u201cWe Insist! 2025\u201d \u2013 Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell (Candid Records)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Gospel\/Christian Album<\/p>\n
\u201cTasha\u201d \u2013 Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)<\/p>\n
803Fresh feat. Fantasia \u2013 \u201cBoots on the Ground Remix\u201d (Snake Eyez Music Group\/Artist Partner Group)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Album<\/p>\n
\u201cAm I The Drama?\u201d \u2013 Cardi B (Atlantic Records)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Podcast \u2013 Lifestyle\/Self-Help<\/p>\n
\u201cIMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson\u201d (Higher Ground)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Podcast \u2013 Arts, Sports and Entertainment<\/p>\n
\u201cIMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson\u201d (Higher Ground)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Literary Work \u2013 Biography\/Autobiography<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Look\u201d \u2013 Michelle Obama (Crown)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Literary Work \u2013 Non-Fiction<\/p>\n
\u201cA More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm & Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics\u201d \u2013 Juanita Tolliver (Legacy Lit\/Hachette Book Group)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Literary Work \u2013 Journalism<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Borrowed Time\u201d \u2013 Anissa Durham (Online)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Literary Work \u2013 Fiction<\/p>\n
\u201cDeath of the Author\u201d \u2013 Nnedi Okorafor (William Morrow)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Literary Work \u2013 Poetry<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems\u201d \u2013 Patricia Smith (Scribner)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Literary Work \u2013 Children<\/p>\n
\u201cYvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark\u201d \u2013 Allen R. Wells; Illustrated by DeAndra Hodge (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers\/Macmillan)<\/p>\n
Outstanding Literary Work \u2013 Graphic Novel<\/p>\n
\u201cParable of the Talents: A Graphic Novel Adaptation\u201d \u2013 Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damien Duffy, illustrated by John Jennings and David Brame (Abrams ComicArts)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: Viola Davis, winner of the Chairman’s Award award, poses in the press room…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":315893,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[44662,157770,458,26874,146,85,46,41217,38949],"class_list":["post-315892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-celebrities","tag-angela-bassett","tag-black-hollywood","tag-celebrities","tag-cynthia-erivo","tag-entertainment","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-naacp","tag-viola-davis"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/315892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=315892"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/315892\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/315893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=315892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=315892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=315892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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