‘Black Excellence’: A look inside 55th NAACP Image Awards Gala Dinner
The 55th NAACP Image Awards Gala was the whole vibe—an example of African American excellence perpetually in motion. There is an undeniable crackle and a palpable energy that runs through a room when “fam” gathers because they know that everyone in the room has done the work and continues to move the collective us forward.
Hosted by Sherri Shepherd, the Emmy and NAACP Image Award-winning talk show host, actress, and comedian, the 55th NAACP Image Awards Gala event recognized talented individuals nominated in 20 categories.
The evening started with an invocation by Dr. Thema Bryant and was followed with welcome speeches from NAACP Chair Leon W. Russell and NAACP Vice Chair Karen Boykin-Towns.
The ceremony saw a diverse range of talent take home awards. Chloe Bailey won Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series, or Dramatic Special for “Praise This,” while Ayo Edebiri emerged victorious as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “The Bear.” William Stanford Davis and Keith Powers were recognized for Outstanding Performance in a Comedy Series, and “The Jennifer Hudson Show” received the award for Outstanding Talk Series.
Winners delivered impassioned speeches about the importance of representation, including Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, who received an Image Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture for her role as Young Celie in “The Color Purple.”
When Shepherd tearfully accepted her award for Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) for “Serri,” she reflected about the studio executives who dismissed her, refusing to watch her sizzle reel when she tried to pitch her talk show idea.
“It took me 23-plus years to get to the place,” Shepherd said. “Sometimes you have to mature into the dream that you’ve been dreaming about.”
Kyle Bowser, NAACP Hollywood Bureau senior vice president, announced a groundbreaking book publishing partnership with Amistad, a longstanding commercial African American publisher and an imprint of HarperCollins. This partnership signifies a commitment to amplifying diverse voices and ensuring Black narratives have a prominent place in the literary landscape. Through the initiative, HarperCollins and Amistad will publish two original books and a reprint of an existing, highly regarded self-published work nominated for the NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Literary categories. The chosen book, selected by an independent group of judges, will be given a wider platform.
“We realize that we are in a season of censorship and book banning,” said Bowser. “This partnership gives us an opportunity to encourage you to continue to tell our stories in a very forthright way.”
Building on the night’s celebration of Black excellence, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson called on the star-studded audience to use their influence to mobilize voters before the presidential election.
“We cannot take our freedoms for granted. We must continue to fight for them, and to protect them, with everything we have,” said Johnson. “The NAACP was founded for this fight. We are committed now and forever, but we cannot fight alone. We need your commitment. Alone, we cannot win. Together, we cannot lose.”
The Awards Gala also featured a powerful moment when Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, was honored with the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award, presented virtually by Prince William and Meghan Markle. Buolamwini’s work in ensuring fairness in artificial intelligence algorithms embodies the spirit of this award, which recognizes those creating change at the intersection of social justice and technology.
Singer-songwriter Shanice delivered a nostalgic performance of her 1991 hit “I Love Your Smile,” followed by NAACP Award-winning singer Kenny Lattimore serenading the audience with his 1997 hit “For You.” Music legend Frankie Beverly received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Adding a touch of glamor, the gala featured appearances from presenters Aisha Hinds, Aja Naomi King, Coco Jones, and Courtney B. Vance, along with other notable figures from the entertainment industry.
The room exploded when The room exploded when Luke James performed several of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly’s hits, with many guests taking to the floor to dance. The legendary entertainer, Frankie Beverly, himself was in attendance, and the room erupted when he was introduced. Several guests remarked that it felt like a family reunion and the sentiment echoed throughout the night.
James performed several Maze/Frankie Beverly hits, with many guests taking to the floor to dance. Beverly himself was in attendance, and the room erupted when he was introduced. Several guests remarked that it felt like a family reunion, a sentiment that echoed throughout the night.
The event culminated in a lively tribute performance by Lalah Hathaway, Kenyon Dixon, Lattimore, and James, who belted out Maze/Beverly favorites like “Golden Time of Day,” “We Are One,” and “Joy and Pain.” The evening closed with a rousing rendition of “Before I Let Go.”
The full list of winners from the gala is:
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Cord Jefferson, “American Fiction”
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Ava DuVernay, “Origin”
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 Animated Motion Picture
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
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 Actress in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
William Stanford Davis, “Abbott Elementary”
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, “The Color Purple”
Outstanding Comedy Series
“Abbott Elementary”
Outstanding Youth Performance (Motion Picture)
Mila Davis-Kent, “Creed III”
Outstanding Social Media Personality
Angel Laketa Moore
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 International Motion Picture
“Brother”
Winners of the 55th NAACP Image Awards were revealed via telecast on March 16, 2024, on BET and CBS. The NAACP also recognized winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually from March 11–13 on www.naacpimageawards.net.
For information and updates, follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.
The 55th NAACP Image Awards are supported by sponsors Wells Fargo (presenting sponsor), Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Procter & Gamble, Diageo, Denny’s, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines. Partners include Bacardi, CVS Health, Entergy, Hyatt, Intuit, L’Oréal, Lyft, Planned Parenthood, SheaMoisture, Uncle Nearest, Spill, and Variety Magazine.
Note: The Legal Defense Fund, also referred to as the NAACP–LDF, was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.
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