The NAACP Image Awards once again honored the outstanding achievements of Black artists, storytellers, and changemakers across film, television, music, and literature.
The 56th NAACP Image Awards took place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. The ceremony was broadcast live at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET and CBS.
Hosted by comedian Deon Cole, the event honored a diverse array of talent.
Below is a list of the winners:
Entertainer of the Year
- Keke Palmer
Motion Picture Categories
- Outstanding Motion Picture: The Six Triple Eight
- Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Samuel L. Jackson for The Piano Lesson
- Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Kerry Washington for The Six Triple Eight
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Denzel Washington for Gladiator II
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Taraji P. Henson for The Book of Clarence
- Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys
- Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: Joslyn Barnes for Nickel Boys
Television Categories
- Outstanding Drama Series: Wicked
- Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: Jamie Foxx for Wicked
- Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Queen Latifah for The Equalizer
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Morris Chestnut for The Resident
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Susan Kelechi Watson for This Is Us
- Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary
- Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Anthony Anderson for Black-ish
- Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Kenan Thompson for Saturday Night Live
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Marsai Martin for Black-ish
- Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: The Piano Lesson
- Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: Laurence Fishburne for The Piano Lesson
- Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: Regina King for The Piano Lesson
Music Categories
- Outstanding Male Artist: Kendrick Lamar
- Outstanding Female Artist: Beyoncé
- Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration: Doechii featuring SZA
- Outstanding Album: Renaissance by Beyoncé
- Outstanding New Artist: Doechii
Literary Categories
- Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction: One of Us Knows: A Thriller by Alyssa Cole
- Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction: Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest by Fawn Weaver
- Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author: Grown Women by Sarai Johnson
- Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography: Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America by Joy-Ann Reid
- Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional: Wash Day: Passing on the Legacy, Rituals, and Love of Natural Hair by Tomesha Faxio
- Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry: This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets by Kwame Alexander
- Outstanding Literary Work – Children: You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book by Taraji P. Henson
Special Honors
- Chairman’s Award: Kamala Harris
- President’s Award: Dave Chappelle
- Hall of Fame Inductees: The Wayans Family
This year’s ceremony not only celebrated artistic excellence but also highlighted significant social contributions and community resilience.
