The 52nd NAACP Image Awards concluded Saturday night, celebrating Black Excellence for an entire week. After a week of virtual ceremonies, the live event took place and did not disappoint. Winners throughout the week include Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Method Man, Mary J. Blige, Stephen Curry, and more. Check out the full list of winners below.
The late Boseman won the award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Boseman’s wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the award in his honor, encouraging fans to be proactive about their health and visit StandUpToCancer.org for more information about detecting the signs of colon cancer.
Image Award Outstanding Female Artist nominee Jazmine Sullivan, kicked-off the music portion with an electrifying performance of “Pick Up Your Feelings” from her latest album Heaux Tales. Additionally, Grammy Award-winning singer Maxwell took to the stage to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut album Urban Hang Suite, performing “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)”.
During the ceremony, legendary entertainer, film icon, and two-time Image Award recipient Eddie Murphy was inducted into the acclaimed NAACP Image Awards Hall Of Fame. The Hall of Fame Award was presented by Murphy’s collaborator and long-time friend Arsenio Hall.
Additional guest appearances included Alicia Keys, Andra Day, Cynthia Erivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michelle Obama, Misty Copeland, Regina King, Samuel L. Jackson, the cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas, Swizz Beatz, and Tracy Morgan. MC Lyte served as the night’s Voice Over announcer.
LIVE SHOW CATEGORIES
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series – Regé-Jean Page – “Bridgerton”
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series – Viola Davis – “How To Get Away With Murder”
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Issa Rae – “Insecure”
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture – Viola Davis – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture – Chadwick Boseman – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Outstanding Motion Picture – “Bad Boys For Life”
Chairman’s Award – Rev. D. James Lawson
President’s Award – LeBron James
Hall of Fame Award – Eddie Murphy
Entertainer of the Year – D-Nice
Social Justice Impact – Stacey Abrams
NON-TELEVISED AWARDS
Outstanding Social Media Personality – Tabitha Brown
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction:
“The Awkward Black Man” – Walter Mosley
Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction: “A Promised Land” – Barack Obama
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author: “We’re Better Than This” – Elijah Cummings
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography: “The Dead Are Arising” – Les Payne, Tamara Payne
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional: “Vegetable Kingdom” – Bryant Terry
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry: “The Age of Phillis” – Honorée Jeffers
Outstanding Literary Work – Children: “She Was the First!: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm” – Katheryn Russell-Brown, Eric Velasquez
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens: “Before the Ever After” – Jacqueline Woodson
Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
Keith McQuirter – “By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem”
Outstanding Writing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture) – Melissa Haizlip – “Mr. SOUL!”
Outstanding Documentary (Film) – “John Lewis: Good Trouble”
Outstanding Documentary (Television – Series or Special) – “The Last Dance”
Special Award – Youth Activist of the Year – Madison Potts
Special Award – Activist of the Year – Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series – Michaela Coel – “I May Destroy You” – Ep. 112 “Ego Death”
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Attica Locke – “Little Fires Everywhere” – Ep. 104 “The Spider Web”
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special – Geri Cole – “The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special”
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – Radha Blank – “The Forty-Year-Old Version”
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series – Anya Adams – “black-ish” – Ep. 611 “Hair Day”
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series – Hanelle Culpepper – “Star Trek: Picard” – Ep. 101 “Remembrance”
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special – Eugene Ashe – “Sylvie’s Love”
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – Gina Prince-Bythewood – “The Old Guard”
Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama – “#FreeRayshawn“
Outstanding Performance in a Short Form – Laurence Fishburne – “#FreeRayshawn”
Outstanding Short Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction – “Between The Scenes” – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Outstanding Short-Film (Live Action) – “Black Boy Joy”
Outstanding Short-Film (Animated) – “Canvas”
Special Award – Spingarn Medal – Misty Copeland
Outstanding Talk Series – Red Table Talk
Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition or Game Show – Celebrity Family Feud
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special) – VERZUZ
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special) – The New York Times Presents “The Killing of Breonna Taylor”
Outstanding Children’s Program – Family Reunion
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series): Marsai Martin – “Black-ish”
Outstanding Animated Series – Doc McStuffins
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture – Soul
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television): Laya DeLeon Hayes – “Doc McStuffins”
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture: Jamie Foxx – “Soul”
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Trevor Noah – “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah”
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Steve Harvey – “Celebrity Family Feud”
Outstanding Guest Performance – Comedy or Drama Series: Loretta Devine- “P-Valley”
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television): Raynelle Swilling – “Cherish the Day”
Special Award – Founder’s: Toni Vaz
Outstanding Comedy Series – “Insecure”
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Anthony Anderson – “black-ish”
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Deon Cole – “black-ish”
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Marsai Martin – “black-ish”
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Chadwick Boseman – “Da 5 Bloods”
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Phylicia Rashad – “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture – Madalen Mills – “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture): Nadia Hallgren – “Becoming”
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture – “The Banker”
Outstanding International Motion Picture – “NIGHT OF THE KINGS”
Outstanding Drama Series – “Power Book II: Ghost”
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Clifford “Method Man” Smith – “Power Book II: Ghost”
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Mary J. Blige – “Power Book II: Ghost”
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker”
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: Blair Underwood – “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker”
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: Octavia Spencer – “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker”
Key of Life Award – Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
Jackie Robinson Sports Award – Stephen Curry
Outstanding New Artist: Doja Cat – “Say So”
Outstanding Male Artist: Drake – “Laugh Now, Cry Later”
Outstanding Female Artist: Beyoncé – “Black Parade”
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song: “Do It” – Chloe x Halle
Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song: “Savage Remix” – Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional): Chloe x Halle – “Wonder What She Thinks Of Me”
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary): Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé – “Savage Remix”
Outstanding Album: “Chilombo” – Jhené Aiko
Outstanding Producer of the Year – Hit-Boy
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album: “Brown Skin Girl” – Beyonce’ feat WizKid, SAINt JHN, Blue Ivy Carter
Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental: “Music From and Inspired By Soul” – Jon Batiste
Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal: “Holy Room – Live at Alte Oper” – Somi
Outstanding International Song: “Lockdown” – Original Koffee
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album: “Soul” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste and Tom MacDougall
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song: “Touch from you” – Tamela Mann
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album: “The Return” – The Clark Sisters
Special Award – Sports Award II: WNBA Player’s Association (Nneka Ogqumike accepting on behalf of WNBAPA)