After the nominees were announced for the 53rd NAACP Image Awards, the star-studded presenters will go hand in hand gracing the stage, along with the iconic Mary J. Blige.
Presenters for the LIVE show include Issa Rae, Kerry Washington, LL Cool J, Michael Strahan, Morgan Freeman, Paula Patton, Questlove, Simu Liu, Tiffany Haddish, Zendaya, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, and NAACP Board Chairman Leon W. Russell.
As previously announced, actor Samuel L. Jackson will be presented with the NAACP Chairman’s Award and Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project, will be presented with the Social Justice Impact Award.
The 53rd NAACP Image Awards, hosted by seven-time NAACP Image Awards winner Anthony Anderson, airs Saturday, Feb. 26 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET.
Members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas House Democratic Caucus, and Texas Legislative Black Caucus will receive the Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award.
Non-televised award categories will be announced Feb. 21-25 at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on naacpimageawards.net and the NAACP Image Awards YouTube channel.
The virtual show will be hosted nightly by actor and comedian Affion Crockett and presenters include Aida Rodriquez, Asiahn Bryant, Clint Coley, Cory Hardrict, Courtney Nichole, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Derrick Johnson, Karen Boykin-Towns, Khleo Thomas, Lauren Wesley Wilson, Leon W. Russell, Lori Harvey, Luke Lawal, Jr., Marcel Spears, Matt Cedeno, Melissa L. Williams, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Wisdom Cole.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21
- Inside the Industry (Virtual) – 7:00 PM (ET) / 4:00 PM (PT)
- Awards Show Night 1 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)
- Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
- Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
- Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
- Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography
- Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
- Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
- Outstanding Literary Work – Children
- Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
- Outstanding Podcast – News and Information
- Outstanding Podcast – Arts and Entertainment
- Outstanding Podcast – Society and Culture
- Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle / Self-Help
- Special Award: NAACP Youth Activist of the Year
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
- Inside the Industry: A Conversation – The Diaspora Prospective: Part 1 (Virtual)– 7:00 PM (ET) / 4:00 PM (PT)
- Awards Show Night 2 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)
- Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama
- Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction
- Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)
- Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)
- Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
- Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
- Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
- Outstanding Directing in a Documentary
- Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
- Special Award: NAACP Activist of the Year
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23
- Inside the Industry: A Conversation – The Diaspora Prospective: Part 2 (Virtual) – 7:00 PM (ET) / 4:00 PM (PT)
- Awards Show Night 3 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)
- Outstanding Talk Series
- Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
- Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series
- Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
- Outstanding Variety or Game Show (Series or Special)
- Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
- Outstanding Documentary (Television)
- Outstanding Children’s Program
- Outstanding Animated Series
- Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
- Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture
- Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
- Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
- Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
- Outstanding International Motion Picture
- Outstanding Guest Performance
- Special Award: Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24
- 17th Annual NAACP Hollywood Bureau Symposium: A Report – Industry Executives of Color (Virtual) – 7:00 PM (ET) / 4:00 PM (PT)
- Awards Show Night 4 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)
- Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental
- Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal
- Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
- Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
- Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
- Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
- Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
- Outstanding International Song
- Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
- Outstanding New Artist
- Outstanding Male Artist
- Outstanding Female Artist
- Outstanding Soul/R&B Song
- Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song
- Outstanding Album
- Special Award: NAACP Humanitarian of the Year
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25
- Inside the Industry (Virtual) – 7:00 PM (ET) / 4:00 PM (PT)
- Awards Show Night 5 (Virtual) – 8:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (PT)
- Outstanding Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited–series)
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
- Outstanding Documentary (Film)
- Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
- Outstanding Animated Motion Picture