The 56th NAACP Image Awards are on the horizon, celebrating Black excellence across film, television, music, and literature.
With the theme “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence,” the prestigious awards will honor groundbreaking talent and creativity on February 22, 2025, at the Pasadena Civic Center.
The two-hour ceremony will be broadcast live on BET and CBS.
This year’s Entertainer of the Year nominees spotlight incredible talent:
- Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked”)
- Keke Palmer
- Kendrick Lamar
- Kevin Hart
- Shannon Sharpe
Here are more highlights from this year’s top categories and nominees.
Motion Picture
Leading the pack in the film categories is Netflix’s “The Piano Lesson” with 14 nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture.
Competing alongside it are:
- “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” (Sony)
- “Bob Marley: One Love” (Paramount)
- “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)
- “Wicked” (Universal)
Top Nominees:
- John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, Corey Hawkins, and Skylar Aleece Smith for “The Piano Lesson”
Television & Streaming
Hulu’s “The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri dominates the TV categories with five nominations.
The top-nominated television project is “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” with nine nods, including recognition for:
- Kevin Hart
- Don Cheadle
- Taraji P. Henson
- Terrence Howard
- Samuel L. Jackson
Outstanding Drama Series Nominees:
- “9-1-1” (ABC)
- “The Madness” (Netflix)
- “Sing Sing” (HBO)
- “UnPrisoned” (Hulu)
- “A Quiet Place: Day One” (Paramount+)
Outstanding Comedy Series Nominees:
- “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- “The American Society of Magical Negroes” (HBO Max)
- “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Amazon)
- “Young. Wild. Free” (Netflix)
- “St. Denis Medical” (Peacock)
Music
Rapper GloRilla shines in the music categories with six nominations, including Outstanding New Artist.
Close behind are:
- Doechii
- Kendrick Lamar
- Usher
Top Music Nominees:
- Beyoncé for her album “Cowboy Carter” (3 nominations)
- Chlöe Bailey for “Boy Bye” (Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album nominee)
Literature
The literary categories honor storytelling across genres.
Notable nominees include:
- Taraji P. Henson for her children’s book “You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!)”
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor for her work on “Nickel Boys” and “Exhibiting Forgiveness”
Voiceover Performances
- Keke Palmer for “The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy”
- Angela Bassett for “Orion and the Dark”
- Cree Summer for her work in “Rugrats” and “The Legend of Vox Machina”
Special Recognitions
The NAACP will also honor winners in non-televised categories during the Creative Honors Ceremonies on February 21, streaming on naacpimageawards.net.
See Full List of NAACP Image Award Nominees & Cast Your Vote
Why This Year Matters
NAACP President Derrick Johnson emphasized the awards’ mission: “Through film, music, literature, and more, these voices weave a rich tapestry that honors our heritage and celebrates our identity.”
Scott Mills, CEO of BET Media Group, added, “Together, we shine a light on the stories, voices, and artistry that shape culture and drive progress.”
Be sure to tune in on February 22 to celebrate Black excellence and see who takes home the night’s top honors.
Which nominee are you rooting for?
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