The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding performances and work in entertainment and the arts.
The 54th NAACP Image Awards were held on Saturday to honor outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music, and literature during the 2022 calendar year.
The awards were held in California and hosted by Queen Latifah.
Angela Bassett and Beyoncé were the top individual winners at the awards, with three awards each. Bassett took the top award — entertainer of the year.
This marked the first time all five entertainer of the year nominees were women. The other nominees were Mary J. Blige, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis and Zendaya.
Bassett also won outstanding supporting actress in a motion picture for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and outstanding actress in a drama series for 9-1-1 on FOX.
Beyoncé took outstanding album for Renaissance, outstanding soul/R&B song for “Cuff It” and outstanding female artist. Chris Brown on the other hand won outstanding male artist.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won outstanding motion picture, just as the original Black Panther did four years ago. This marks the second time in three years that a franchise film has won in this category.
Viola Davis took the best actress in a motion picture for her role in The Woman King.
President’s Award that recognizes special achievement and distinguished public service was given to Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade.
Maverick City and Kirk Franklin won outstanding Gospel Music Album. Tems took home Outstanding International Song for ‘No Woman No Cry’.
BY NKATHA WAINAINA