LOS ANGELES — The 56th NAACP Image Awards are set to shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of influential artists, athletes, and writers of color, acknowledging their significant contributions to culture and society.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will receive the distinguished Chairman’s Award on Saturday evening in Pasadena, California. In addition, the renowned Wayans family will be celebrated with an induction into the NAACP Awards Hall of Fame.
For those interested in watching or streaming the awards, here are the key details you need to know, including the line-up of nominees for entertainer of the year and important honorees.
The NAACP Image Awards kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern, which is 5 p.m. Pacific, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. This year’s event not only honors excellence in Black entertainment and culture but also pays tribute to Altadena residents affected by recent wildfires in Los Angeles. Viewers can catch the livestream of the event on BET and CBS, with additional broadcasts on BET Her, VH1, MTV, MTV2, Pop, TV Land, Logo, Comedy Central, and Smithsonian.
Kamala Harris is being recognized for her pivotal role as a change agent through the Chairman’s Award. After facing off against Donald Trump in last year’s presidential election, Harris made history as the first woman and the first person of color to hold the vice presidency. Before this, she served as a U.S. senator from California and as the state’s attorney general. Leon W. Russell, chair of the NAACP’s national board, praised Harris for her unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and societal advancement. Past recipients of this award include Barack Obama, the late John Lewis, and Ruby Dee.
The Wayans family will be the newest inductees into the NAACP Awards Hall of Fame, recognized for their profound influence on film, television, and comedy. Family members Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Damon Wayans Jr. will all receive accolades. They are known for productions like the groundbreaking sketch series “In Living Color,” and films such as “Major Payne” and “Scary Movie.” Damon Wayans Jr., known for his work on critically lauded comedies “Happy Endings” and “New Girl,” continues to showcase his talents alongside his father in the CBS sitcom “Poppa’s House,” which is also nominated for an NAACP Award.
In the race for entertainer of the year, notable nominees include Kendrick Lamar, Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kevin Hart, and Shannon Sharpe. Lamar gained fame with his rap rivalry with Drake and has since won multiple Grammys, followed by a performance at the Super Bowl halftime show. Cynthia Erivo shone with her Oscar-nominated role in “Wicked” and is set to host the coming Tony Awards. Shannon Sharpe, a Hall of Fame NFL player, has made waves in media with his popular podcast “Club Shay Shay,” as well as “Nightcap” alongside Chad Ochocinco Johnson. Comedian Kevin Hart displayed his humor in “The Roast of Tom Brady” and took starring roles in “Lift” and “Borderlands.” Meanwhile, Keke Palmer recently starred in the box-office hit “One of Them Days” and earned an Emmy for her hosting role on NBC’s “Password.”
Expect additional highlights from the ceremony, including a special honor for comedian Dave Chappelle, who will receive the president’s award for his impactful comedic work. This makes Chappelle the first comic to achieve this distinction, joining a prestigious list of previous recipients such as Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Usher, and Rihanna. Additionally, DJ D-Nice will commemorate music icon Quincy Jones, while Grammy-winning artist Ledisi will perform alongside the Adam Blackstone Band.
