As the nation celebrated the work and legacy of Martin Luther King on January 15, the NAACP gathered to present their annual Image Awards to entertainers and artists of colour for their contributions to the arts.
Three time Image Award winner Anthony Anderson is hosting the 49th annual gala event in Pasadena for the fifth time.
The first award of the night was for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and went to Octavia Spencer for her role in “Gifted”.
The award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series went to Anthony Anderson for his role in “Black-ish”. This is Anderson’s fourth Image Award win.
The award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series went to Taraji P. Henson for her role in “Empire”.
The award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series went to Tracee Ellis Ross for her role in “Black-ish”. This is her seventh Image Award win and her fourth for “Black-ish”.
The award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series went to Omari Hardwick for his role in “Power”.
On this 49th annual NAACP Image Awards, the NAACP presents the inaugural Music Makes a Difference Honour – an award presented to an artist who uses their platform to help improve those in need. The first award goes to Charlie Wilson.
The award for Outstanding Comedy Series went to “Black-ish”.
Activist William Lucy was presented with the Chairman’s Award.
The Memphis Sanitation workers were presented the Vanguard Award.
Andra Day performs the Billy Holiday song “Strange Fruit”. Andra and Common join together for a performance of “Stand Up for Something”.
NAACP President Derek Johnson presented the President’s Award to actor and activist Danny Glover.
The award for Outstanding TV Drama Series went to “Power”.
During the In Memorium segment, the music of Boyz II Men sang “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye”.
The award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture went to Daniel Kaluuya for his role in “Get Out”.
The award for Outstanding Motion Picture went to “Girl’s Trip”.
The final award for the night was for Entertainer of the Year. Mary J Blige presented the award to Ava Duvernay. It is her first Image Award. When she went up on stage, Ava asked, “what am I doing here, I’m a director”. The Entertainer of the Year Award is a fan voted award.
Awards not presented during the live television broadcast…
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Idris Elba for his role in “Thor: Ragnarok”
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Tiffany Haddish for her role in “Girls Trip”
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture: “Detroit”
Outstanding Documentary: “STEP”
Outstanding Film Writing: Jordan Peele for “Get Out”
Outstanding Film Directing: Jordan Peele for “Get Out”
Best New Music Artist: SZA
Best Male Music Artist: Bruno Mars
Best Female Music Artist: Mary J Blige
Best Duo, Group, or Collaboration: Kendrick Lamar with Rihanna
Best Jazz Album: “Petite Afrique” by Somi
Best Gospel or Christian Album: “Greenleaf Soundtrack Volume 2” by Greenleaf Soundtrack
Best Music Video or Visual Album: “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars
Best Traditional Song: “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars
Best Album: “DAMN” by Kendrick Lamar
Best Contemporary Song: “HUMBLE” by Kendrick Lamar
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Jay Ellis for his role in “Insecure”
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Marsai Martin for her role in “Black-ish”
Outstanding Suppo
Actor in a Drama Series: Joe Morton for his role in “Scandal”
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Naturi Naughton for her role in “Power”
Outstanding TV Movie, Limited Series, or Dramatic Special: “The New Edition Story”
Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie, Limited Series, or Dramatic Special: Idris Elba for his role in “Guerrilla”
Out Actress TV Movie, Limited Series, or Dramatic Special: Queen Latifah in “Flint”
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series: Anton Cropper for “Black-ish”
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: Carl Franklin for “13 Reasons Why”
Outstanding Directing in a TV Movie, Limited Series, or Dramatic Special: Allen Hughes for “The Defiant Ones”
Outstanding News or Information Series or Special: “Unsung”
Outstanding Documentary: “The 44th President: In His Own Words”
Outstanding Talk Series: “The Real”
Outstanding Reality or Reality Competition Series: The Manns”
Outstanding Variety or Game Show Series or Special: “Lip Sync Battle”
Outstanding Children’s Program: “Doc McStuffins”
Outstanding Performance by a Youth: Caleb McLaughlin for his role in “Stranger Things”
Outstanding Talk, News, or Information Series Host: Roland Martin on “News One Now”
Outstanding Reality, Reality Comp, Game Show, or Variety Show Host: LL Cool J on “Lip Sync Battle”
Outstanding Voice Over Character Performance: Tiffany Haddish in “Legends of Chamberlain Heights”
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Janine Barrois for “Claws”
Outstanding Writing for a Dramatic Series: Gina Prince-Bythewood for “Shots Fired”
Outstanding Writing for a TV Movie or Specia: Abdul Williams for “The New Edition Story”
Best Fiction: Henry Louis Gates and Maria Tater for “The Annotated African American Folktales”
Best Non-Fiction: Dick Gregory for “Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lies”
Best Debut Author: Stephanie Powell Watts for “No One is Coming to Save Us”
Best Biography or Autobiography: Susan Burton and Cari Lynn for “Becoming Ms. Burton, From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women”
Best Instructional Work: Dr. Tererai Trent for “The Awakened Woman: Remembering & Reigniting our Sacred Dreams”
Best Work of Poetry: Patricia Smith for “Incendiary Art: Poems”
Best Children’s Book: Vashti Harrison for “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History”
Best Youth and Teens Book: Rita Williams-Garcia and Frank Morrison for “Clayton Byrd Goes Underground”