On Monday, the NAACP kicked-off night one of the 53rd NAACP Image Awards announcing the first round of winners in the non-televised award categories, which included literary, podcast, and youth activist of the year awards. The awards were announced tonight during the NAACP Image Awards’ Virtual Experience presented by Wells Fargo and hosted by actor and comedian Affion Crockett at naacpimageawards.net.
Tonight’s winners included Nikole Hannah-Jones for Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction category, Will Smith for Outstanding Literary Work – Autobiography, Blindspot: Tulsa Burning for Outstanding Podcast (News & Information), Sherri Shepherd and Kym Whitley for Outstanding Podcast, and as previously announced, Channing Hill, NAACP Chapter President of Howard University, for Youth Activist of The Year.
The night additionally featured appearances from presenters including Asiahn Bryant, Lauren Wesley Wilson, Wisdom Cole and Luke Lawal Jr.
The week-long 53rd NAACP Image Awards Virtual Experience from February 21-25, will invite fans to join in a celebration of the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color across more than 80 competitive categories.
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
“Long Division” – Kiese Laymon
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
“The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” – Nikole Hannah-Jones
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
“Just As I Am” – Cicely Tyson
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography
“Will”- Will Smith
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
“Feeding the Soul (Because It’s My Business)” – Tabitha Brown
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
“Perfect Black”- Crystal Wilkinson
Outstanding Literary Work – Children
“Stacey’s Extraordinary Words” – Stacey Abrams, Kitt Thomas
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
“Ace of Spades”- Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Outstanding Podcast – News and Information
Blindspot: “Tulsa Burning”
Outstanding Podcast – Arts and Entertainment
“Jemele Hill is Unbothered”
Outstanding Podcast – Society and Culture
“Jemele Hill is Unbothered”
Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle / Self-Help
“Two Funny Mamas” – Sherri Shepherd & Kym Whitley
Special Award: Youth Activist of The Year
Channing Hill
Be sure to tune into the 53rd NAACP Awards Virtual Experience this week on naacpimageawards.net and YouTube, including:
Ari Lennox gifted fans on her birthday with her new track "Soft Girl Era," then…
After a long-awaited hiatus, Amerie is making her highly anticipated return to the music scene…
In a world where music serves as both an escape and a source of healing,…
From Ryan Coogler, the acclaimed director of Black Panther and Creed, comes Sinners, a gripping…
A Friendship Built by a Blue Wall: After years of interviews and hard work, The…
Kevin Ross is set to tour across the U.S. starting this Saturday in St. Louis,…