The NAACP and BET honoured Black excellence in music, television, and film across 90 categories at the “55th NAACP Image Awards”. The “Me & U” hitmaker, Tems, bagged the “Outstanding International Song” award, marking her fourth NAACP Image Awards win. More Nigerians earned awards as Davido and Lojay won the category for “Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)” with their track “Sensational” from their collaboration with Chris Brown.

In the Literary Category, Aleema Omotoni emerged as the winner of the “Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens” award with her novel “Everyone’s Thinking It”. The novel tells the story of two Nigerian cousins, Iyanu and Kitan, who are thrown into the middle of a schoolwide conspiracy when everyone’s juicy relationship secrets are released the week before the annual Valentine’s Day Ball.

British-Nigerian actor, Damson Idris, also won in the “Television + Streaming Category” for “Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series” for his phenomenal role as Franklin Saint in the American crime drama television series, “Snowfall”. Rising star, Ayo Edebiri also makes her third win into the NAACP Image Awards with the “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series” for playing the role of Sydney Adamu in “The Bear”.

Hosted by GRAMMY® award-winning recording artist, critically acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actor and producer Queen Latifah (series star/executive producer of The Equalizer, CBS), the legendary show aired live on Sunday, 17 March at 19:00 WAT on BET Africa (DStv channel 129 & GOtv channel 21) from the Shrine Auditorium. Colman Domingo, Fantasia Barrino, Mike Epps, Quinta Brunson, The Color Purple, Usher and more took top honors. Special awards recipients delivered moving speeches, including Amanda Gorman, New Edition, and Usher.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the “55th NAACP Image Awards” continues its tradition of excellence, uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to these values.

Speaking on the African award winners, Senior Vice President of Paramount Africa and Peer Lead, BET International, Monde Twala, said, “We are immensely proud to illuminate the outstanding achievements of African talent being recognized on a global stage like the NAACP Image Awards. This year’s wins by Tems, Davido, Ayo Edebiri, Lojay, Aleema Omotoni, and Damson Idris are a testament to the incredible artistry and storytelling that emanates from Africa, and at BET, we are fully committed to championing authentic African stories and talents to the global audience.”

The “55th Image Awards” Show Highlights Include:

• Blue Bloods (CBS) star and New Kids on the Block singer Donnie Wahlberg inducted New Edition into the NAACP Hall of Fame.
• Keke Palmer and Lil Rel Howery presented Quinta Brunson with her award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Abbott Elementary (ABC) and Mike Epps for his award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in The Upshaws (Netflix).
• Damson Idris accepted his award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series with a heartfelt and humourous speech.
• For host Queen Latifah’s birthday, American Fiction actress and Living Single (FOX)  co-star Erika Alexanderdirected the audience to sing Happy Birthday, led by actress Sheryl Lee Ralph.
• Colman Domingo took home the awards for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Rustin and The Color Purple, respectively.
• Chairman’s Award recipient Amanda Gorman delivered a powerful poetic speech while accepting her award, presented by NAACP Chairman Leon Russell.
• Fantasia Barrino took the stage to accept her award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, presented by Idris and Sabrina Elba.
• President’s Awards recipient Usher honored his mom and the Black community during his speech after being honored by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.
• The Color Purple cast graced the stage to accept their award for Outstanding Motion Picture, presented by UnPrisoned (Hulu) stars Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo.
• To close out the night, Usher took home his award for Entertainer of the Year, presented by Oprah Winfrey in a surprise appearance.

NAACP also recognized winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually March 11-13 on www.naacpimageawards.net and at the Awards Dinner on March 14. For information and updates, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.

The “55th NAACP Image Awards” is supported by the following sponsors, Wells Fargo (presenting sponsor), Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Procter & Gamble, Diageo, Denny’s, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines. Our partners include: Bacardi, CVS Health, Entergy, Hyatt, Intuit, L’Oréal, Lyft, Planned Parenthood, SheaMoisture, Uncle Nearest, SPILL and Variety Magazine.

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 Tems, Wizkid, Trevor Noah, Angela Bassett, Zendaya, Will Smith, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle Union, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Silk Sonic, Rihanna, Quavo, Takeoff, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Was

The complete list of winners for the “55th NAACP Image Awards” are:

RECORDING CATEGORIES

Outstanding International Song

“Me & U” – Tems

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

“Sensational” – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay

Outstanding Jazz Album

“Brand New Life” – Brandee Younger

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard feat. Anthony Brown

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

“Father’s Day” – Kirk Franklin

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

“How We Roll” – Ciara feat. Chris Brown

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

“The Color Purple – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – Various Producers

Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film

“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” – Jongnic Bontemps

Outstanding Male Artist

“Good Good” – USHER with 21 Savage x Summer Walker

Outstanding Female Artist

“The Journey” – H.E.R.

Outstanding New Artist

“Jaguar II” – Victoria Monét

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song

“Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion

Outstanding Album

“Jaguar II” – Victoria Monét

TELEVISION + STREAMING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Damson Idris – Snowfall

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Ayo Edebiri – The Bear

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

India Ria Amarteifio – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Mike Epps – The Upshaws

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Chloe Bailey – Praise This

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Keith Powers – The Perfect Find

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Swarm

Outstanding Talk Series

The Jennifer Hudson Show

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Sherri Shepherd – Sherri

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Gail Bean – Snowfall

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Adrian Holmes – Bel-Air

Outstanding Drama Series

Queen Charlotte:  A Bridgeton Story

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special

Phylicia Rashad – Heaven Down Here

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special

Don Cheadle – Secret Invasion

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)

Leah Sava Jeffries – “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”

Outstanding Animated Series

“The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder S2”

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Michelle Buteau – “Survival of the Thickest”

Outstanding Guest Performance

Michael B. Jordan – “Saturday Night Live”

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)

“A Black Lady Sketch Show”

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

DC Young Fly – “Celebrity Squares”

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)

“Wild ‘N Out”

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

“20/20” – Kerry Washington: Thicker Than Water – A Conversation with Robin Roberts

Outstanding Children’s Program

“Gracie’s Corner”

Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series

Leslie Jones – “The Daily Show After The Cut”

Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama

“Doggyland”

Outstanding Short Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction

“I Was A Soul Train Dancer”

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Kyla Pratt – “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder”

LITERARY CATEGORIES

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

“Everyone’s Thinking It” – Aleema Omotoni

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

“Family Lore” – Elizabeth Acevedo

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction

“The New Brownies’ Book” – Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

“Rootless” – Krystle Zara Appiah

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography

“Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement” – Dr. Tanisha C. Ford

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

“Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’” – Jarett Hill, Tre’vell Anderson

Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel

“The Talk” – Darrin Bell

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

“Suddenly We” – Evie Shockley

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

“CROWNED: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora” – Kahran Bethencourt

COSTUME DESIGN, MAKE-UP & HAIRSTYLING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film)

The Color Purple – Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham, Ngozi Olandu Young, Manny Davila, Milene Melendez

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film)

The Color Purple – Francine Jamison-Tanchuck

Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film)

The Color Purple – Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace, Andrea Mona Bowen, Angela Renae Dyson, Jorge Benitez Villalobos

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Usher

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY

Angel Laketa Moore

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Motion Picture

The Color Purple

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Fantasia Barrino – The Color Purple

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Colman Domingo – Rustin

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Colman Domingo – The Color Purple

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Taraji P. Henson – The Color Purple

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Phylicia Pearl Mpasi – The Color Purple

Outstanding Youth Performance (Motion Picture)

Mila Davis-Kent – Creed III

Outstanding International Motion Picture

Brother

Outstanding Cinematography in a Feature Film

Eric K. Yue – “A Thousand and One”

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Blitz Bazawule – “The Color Purple”

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

“Brother”

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

“The Color Purple”

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film) 

“Creed III”

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

“The After”

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

“Lil’ Ruby”

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)

Issa Rae – “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

“High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America”

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

“Invisible Beauty”

Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film) 

“Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games”

WRITING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

Cord Jefferson – American Fiction

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Norman Vance Jr. – “Saturdays”

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Carla Banks-Waddles – “Bel-Air”

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

Dwayne Johnson-Cochran – “Heist 88”

DIRECTING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

Ava DuVernay – Origin

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

neema barnette – “GRAND CREW”

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Dawn Wilkinson – “Power Book II: Ghost”

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

Chris Robinson – “Shooting Stars”

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)

Allen Hughes – “Dear Mama”

PODCAST CATEGORIES

Outstanding News and Information Podcast

“Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams”

Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form

“Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast”

Outstanding Podcast – Scripted Series 

“Yes We Cannabis”

Outstanding Arts, Sports and Entertainment Podcast

“Here’s The Thing”

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast

“The 85 South Show with Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean”

Outstanding Lifestyle / Self-Help Podcast

“Black Money Tree”