By Edelia J. Carthan, Ed.D.,
Contributing Writer,
The 56th NAACP Image Awards lit up the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Saturday, Feb. 22, honoring Black excellence in entertainment, music and activism. The event, which aired on BET and was simulcast across multiple networks – including CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV, MTV2, Pop, TV Land, Logo, Comedy Central, and Smithsonian – highlighted the achievements of Black artists and leaders.
One of the night’s biggest moments was Keke Palmer winning Entertainer of the Year, a category many expected Cynthia Erivo to take. Palmer, who also won Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show, or Variety Series for Password, was visibly emotional in her acceptance speech.
“I’ve been in this business my whole life, and to receive this honor tonight means the world to me,” Palmer said. “Black women deserve to take up space, and I’m grateful to be here standing on the shoulders of those who paved the way.”
Music Winners: Beyoncé, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar Dominate
The night’s music categories were filled with powerhouse winners:
● Beyoncé won Outstanding Album for Cowboy Carter, tying Whitney Houston for the most wins in the category with four. She also took home Outstanding Female Artist for the eighth time, the most in the show’s history.
● Chris Brown won Outstanding Male Artist for the fourth time, tying Usher for second place behind Luther Vandross. He also won Outstanding Soul/R&B Song for Residuals and Outstanding International Song for Hmmm, featuring Davido.
● Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us – which swept the Grammys with five wins – continued its streak, taking home Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song and Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album.
● Doechii was named Outstanding New Artist, marking the sixth consecutive year that the NAACP Image Award winner in this category was also Grammy-nominated for Best New Artist.
Several Next-Generation Stars Made Their Mark:
● Blue Ivy Carter, daughter of Beyoncé, won Outstanding Character Voice Performance, Motion Picture for Mufasa: The Lion King.
● Malcolm Washington, son of Denzel Washington, won Outstanding Breakthrough Creative, Motion Picture for The Piano Lesson, while his father, Denzel Washington, won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Gladiator II.
● Damon Wayans, Jr. won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Poppa’s House, while his father, Damon Wayans, Sr. won Outstanding Lead Actor for the same show.
Kamala Harris Calls for Action
Former Vice President Kamala Harris was honored with the Chairman’s Award, recognizing her contributions to public service and advocacy. In a stirring speech, she urged viewers to remain vigilant in the fight for justice.
“Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy, and ask, ‘What do we do now?’ But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before, and we will do it again,” Harris said. “We organize, we mobilize, we educate and we advocate. The fight is worth it.”
Harris credited the NAACP as a major influence in her career, saying, “Our strength flows from our faith: Faith in God, faith in each other, and our refusal to surrender to cynicism and destruction – not because it is easy, but because it is necessary.”
The Wayans family was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame while Comedian Dave Chappelle, recipient of the President’s Award, used his moment on stage to reflect on the struggles facing the Black community and the importance of unity.
“I hope all of us who work in this industry feel strong and inspired and not discouraged, especially because this is a very difficult time right now,” Chappelle said. “And (the NAACP) is, sadly, more relevant than it’s been in a long time. We got a lot of work to do. But it feels good to know that we’re not in it alone. Community is everything.”
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson praised Chappelle’s impact on culture, stating, “Through his unique ability to transform complex political issues into thought-provoking humor, Dave has solidified his place as one of the most impactful voices of our time. His work sparks conversations that compel people to examine their own beliefs, proving comedy can be both a powerful truth-teller and a driver of progress.”
From Palmer’s unexpected win to Harris’s passionate call for action and Chappelle’s reflection on the power of community, the NAACP Image Awards was a night of celebration, resilience and purpose. The ceremony reaffirmed that Black voices matter, Black stories deserve to be told, and Black excellence will always shine.
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