Last night (March 1), BET and NAACP celebrated the best in Black culture at the “57th NAACP Image Awards,” hosted by comedian, actor, and multi-NAACP Image Award winner Deon Cole. The evening was a powerful tribute to Black excellence, honoring leaders, visionaries, and creatives making a remarkable impact across entertainment, advocacy, and culture.
In a night rooted in pride, community, and culture, Colman Domingo was presented with the President’s Award in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. Legendary group Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella were inducted into the prestigious NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, which celebrates trailblazers whose enduring influence continues to shape the music industry for generations. Viola Davis received the Chairman’s Award, which honors individuals who excel in public service and use their platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.
Photo Credit: (Getty Images)
In a moving tribute led by Samuel L. Jackson, the “57th NAACP Image Awards” honored a life defined by legacy, service, and an unwavering commitment to others, commemorating the remarkable impact of Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose tireless advocacy changed the world. Members of the Jackson family were also in attendance during tonight’s ceremony.
Presenters for the evening included Chase Infiniti, Delroy Lindo, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, Halle Bailey, Janelle James, NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell, Lionel Richie, MC Lyte, Miles Caton, Nicole Beharie, Regé-Jean Page, Regina Hall, Ryan Coogler, Ryan Michelle Bathé, Sterling K. Brown, And The Cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas.
MC Lyte was the voice of the evening, returning as the in-show announcer.
The full list of “57th NAACP Image Award” winners includes:
President’s Award
Colman Domingo
Chairman’s Award
Viola Davis
Hall of Fame Award
Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella
Entertainer of the Year
Michael B. Jordan
Outstanding Motion Picture
“Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Actor in Motion Picture
Michael B. Jordan – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Miles Caton – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Angela Bassett – “9-1-1” (ABC)
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown – “Paradise” (ABC)
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Cynthia Erivo – “Wicked: For Good” (Universal Pictures)
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song
“It Depends” – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Motion Picture)
Ruth E. Carter – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Hair Styling (Television or Motion Picture)
Deaundra Metzger, Jerome Allen, Jessica Geiger, Jason Simmons – “Reasonable Doubt” (Hulu)
Outstanding Make-up (Television or Motion Picture)
Alyssa Hudson, Camille Evans, Brittany Turpen, Schuron Womack – “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fashion/Beauty
Wisdom Kaye – @wisdm
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Ryan Coogler – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Ryan Coogler – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
Reginald Hudlin, Shola Lynch – “Number One on the Call Sheet” (Apple TV)
Outstanding Documentary (Television)
“Number One On the Call Sheet” (Apple TV)
Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)
Taraji P. Henson – “Straw” (Netflix)
Outstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)
Tyler Lepley – “Ruth & Boaz” (Netflix)
Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie)
“Straw” (Netflix)
Outstanding Talk Series
“The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Syndicated)
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Don Lemon – “The Don Lemon Show” (YouTube)
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
“The Don Lemon Show” (YouTube)
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
“Zootopia 2” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Aisha Hinds – “9-1-1” (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Caleb McLaughlin – “Stranger Things” (Netflix)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture
Naya Desir-Johnson – “Sarah’s Oil” (Amazon MGM Studios)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)
Leah Sava Jeffries – “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” (Disney+)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Janelle James – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
William Stanford Davis – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Outstanding Comedy Series
“Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Delroy Lindo – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Wunmi Mosaku – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Drama Series
“Reasonable Doubt” (Hulu)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Cedric The Entertainer – “The Neighborhood” (CBS)
Outstanding Digital Creator- Art/Comedy
Tee Sanders – @teesanderscomedy
Outstanding Digital Creator- Political/Culture
Lynae Vanee – @lynaevanee
Outstanding Children’s Program
“Gracie’s Corner” (Youtube TV)
Outstanding Animated Series
“Gracie’s Corner” (Youtube TV)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Kyla Pratt – “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” (Disney+)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)
Quinta Brunson – “Zootopia 2” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (Television or Motion Picture)
“Sinners” – Andy Gill (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
“Love, Brooklyn” (Greenwich Entertainment)
Outstanding International Motion Picture
“Souleymane’s Story” (Kino Lorber)
Outstanding Documentary (Film)
“Being Eddie” (Netflix)
Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture
Autumn Durald Arkapaw – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special
Deanna Nowell – “Ironheart” (Disney+)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Cassandra Mann – “Unexpected Christmas” (3 Diamonds Entertainment LLC)
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Buddy Guy, Delroy Lindo, Peter Dreimanis, Lola Kirke, Li Jun Li, Saul Williams, Yao – “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)
“Ali Siddiq: My Two Sons” (YouTube/Moment PPV)
Outstanding Guest Performance
Malcolm-Jamal Warner – “Murder in a Small Town” (FOX)
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Aisha Muharrar – “Hacks” – “Clickable Face” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Cynthia Adarkwa – “The Pitt” -“12:00 P.M.” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
Aireka Muse – “Friends & Lovers” (Lifetime Movie Network)
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Tyler James Williams – “Abbott Elementary” – “The Science Fair” (ABC)
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
Mario Van Peebles – “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” – “Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself” (STARZ)
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
Olatunde Osunsanmi – “Star Trek: Section 31” (Paramount+)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
Chinaka Hodge – “Ironheart” (Disney+)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Teyana Taylor – “Straw” (Netflix)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Glynn Turman – “Straw” (Netflix)
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) –
Individual or Ensemble
Steve Harvey – “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)
Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)
“Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
“luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA (pgLang under exclusive license to Interscope Records)
Outstanding New Artist
Monaleo – “Who Did the Body?” (Columbia Records)
Outstanding Female Artist
Cardi B – (Atlantic Records)
Outstanding Male Artist
Kendrick Lamar – (pgLang under exclusive license to Interscope Records)
Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song
“ErrTime” – Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
“Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” (Proximity Media LLC, under exclusive license to Masterworks, a label of Sony Music Entertainment)
Outstanding International Song
“Is It” – Tyla (Epic Records)
Outstanding Jazz Album
“We Insist! 2025” – Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell (Candid Records)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
“Do it Again” – Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Recordings/Tribl Records)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
“Tasha” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
803Fresh feat. Fantasia – “Boots on the Ground Remix” (Snake Eyez Music Group/Artist Partner Group)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher – “It Depends (Remix)” (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film
“Sinners (Original Motion Picture Score)” (Proximity Media LLC, under exclusive license to Sony Classical, a label of Sony Music Entertainment)
Outstanding Album
“Am I The Drama?” – Cardi B (Atlantic Records)
Outstanding Podcast – Scripted/Limited Series/Short Form
“Interesting Things with JC” (Jim Connors LLC)
Outstanding Podcast – News and Information
“The Don Lemon Show” (Lemon Media Network)
Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle/Self-Help
“IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson” (Higher Ground)
Outstanding Podcast – Arts, Sports and Entertainment
“IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson” (Higher Ground)
Outstanding Podcast – Society and Culture
“The Don Lemon Show” (Lemon Media Network)
Outstanding Short-Form Documentary (Film)
“The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health” (Ya Momz House)
Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)
“Ella” (Proof of Concept)
Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)
“Wednesdays with Gramps” (DreamWorks Animation)
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography
“The Look” – Michelle Obama (Crown)
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
“A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm & Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics” – Juanita Tolliver (Legacy Lit/Hachette Book Group)
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
“Who Better Than You?” – Will Packer (Penguin Random House)
Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism
“On Borrowed Time” – Anissa Durham (Online)
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
Charles B. Fancher – “Red Clay” (Blackstone Publishing)
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
“Death of the Author” – Nnedi Okorafor (William Morrow)
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
“The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems” – Patricia Smith (Scribner)
Outstanding Literary Work – Children
“Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark” – Allen R. Wells; Illustrated by DeAndra Hodge (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers/Macmillan)
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
“Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi” – Angie Thomas (HarperCollins/Clarion Books)
Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel
“Parable of the Talents: A Graphic Novel Adaptation” – Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damien Duffy, Illustrated by John Jennings and David Brame (Abrams ComicArts)
Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary
The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar – (FOX)
Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Gaming/Tech
Berlin Edmond Jr. – @Berleezy
Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fitness/Wellness/Food
Keith Lee – @keith_lee125
Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural awards shows, the “57th NAACP Image Awards” will continue a tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to that purpose.
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 Kamala Harris, Dave Chapelle, Keke Palmer, The Wayans Family, Don Cheadle, Laverne Cox, Ava DuVernay, Gabrielle Union, Dwayne Wade, Courtney B. Vance, Sherri Shepherd, Colman Domingo, Mike Epps, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Usher, Tyler Perry, Angela Bassett, Damson Idris, Michelle Buteau, Victoria Monét, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, 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.
