LOS ANGELES — Kamala Harris, the former Vice President, took the stage at the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night, delivering an inspiring address and calling the civil rights organization an essential part of the Black community. She urged attendees to remain steadfast and maintain their faith during the challenging period of the Trump administration. Harris remarked, “We may understand the challenges we face in this current chapter of American history, but it will not be dictated solely by those in power or the wealthiest citizens. This narrative will be crafted by you, by us, by we the people.”
The 56th annual Image Awards took place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Harris, who previously held the position of U.S. senator for California and served as the state’s attorney general, was the first woman and the first person of color to hold the vice presidency. Despite her previous defeat by Trump in the last presidential election, she refrained from mentioning her electoral loss or Trump’s actions during her major public appearance, even after being mocked by him earlier in the day at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
During her speech, Harris emphasized the need for continuous vigilance and commitment to liberty, expressing the urgency of staying alert, seeking the truth, and envisioning America’s future. She stated, “While some may see the challenges ahead—fires on the horizon and shadows over democracy—and ask what should we do now, we know what to do because we have done it before. We harness our power; we organize, mobilize, educate, and advocate. Our strength has never come from an easy path.”
Previous recipients of the Chairman’s Award include notable figures such as Barack Obama, the late Rep. John Lewis, and the late actress Ruby Dee. Furthermore, during the ceremony, Harris was honored alongside the Wayans family, who were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, celebrating their groundbreaking contributions to the realms of film, television, sketch comedy, and stand-up that have influenced Hollywood for decades.
The Wayans family, which includes Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, and Damon Wayans Jr., was acknowledged for their collective achievements in the entertainment industry. Marlon Wayans shared heartfelt sentiments about how Keenen Ivory Wayans inspired the family’s journey. He humorously recounted their mother’s reaction when Keenen decided to pursue comedy, stating, “Boy, I’ve known you your whole life, and you ain’t never said nothing funny. That’s the funniest thing you’ve said,” which drew laughter from the audience.
This iconic family has a rich history in the entertainment world; Keenen Ivory Wayans created the influential sketch series “In Living Color” in 1990 and directed the slasher parody “Scary Movie” in 2000, which was written by Marlon and Shawn Wayans. Damon Wayans starred prominently in the 1995 film “Major Payne,” and currently shares the screen with his son in the CBS sitcom “Poppa’s House,” both of which received nominations at the Image Awards.
Keke Palmer, who was suddenly recognized as the Winner of the Entertainment of the Year, expressed her astonishment and honored her fellow nominees, especially Cynthia Erivo for her Oscar-nominated portrayal in “Wicked.” Palmer, known for her role in the hit comedy “One of Them Days,” which topped the box office recently, also received an Emmy for her hosting on NBC’s “Password.” “It’s beautiful to see everyone celebrating together, especially during Black History Month,” she added.
Additionally, host Deon Cole paid tribute to the residents of Altadena who were affected by January’s devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Actor Morris Chestnut also addressed the loss of homes and lives resulting from the disaster, highlighting the resilience and spirit of the impacted community, with 22 Altadena residents present at the event to receive acknowledgment.
Shifting to a lighter tone, Cole delivered a comedic prayer regarding Kanye West’s wife and her attire at the Grammys, leading into the first award of the night for Queen Latifah, who won Best Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in “The Equalizer.”
Dave Chappelle received the prestigious President’s Award for his impactful humor, and in acceptance, he spoke on the NAACP’s critical efforts to combat negative representations of Black individuals in the media. He remarked, “Every chance we have, we chip away at this vast machine,” emphasizing the importance of representation. Notable past recipients of the President’s Award include icons such as Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, and John Legend.
