The 56th NAACP Picture Awards, held within the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, was a dedication to Again achievement and the neighboring communities affected by the L.A. Wildfires earlier this yr. EBONY was inside to catch each second on, and off-camera as MC Lyte’s clean vocals emceed us via the two.5-hour broadcast.
The evening’s largest award, Entertainer of the 12 months, offered by Shea Moisture and introduced by LL Cool J, went to eight-time NAACP winner Keke Palmer. She shouted out Cynthia Erivo in her acceptance speech and added, “It’s so necessary to return right here collectively to have a good time with each other.” She informed the group to proceed to ask for cash and make our personal place on the desk.
Kerry Washington took dwelling the award for Excellent Actress in a Movement Image for Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight. After thanking Perry—twice—Washington ecstatically returned to her seat to have a good time along with her mother Valerie. She returned to the stage with solid and artistic to just accept the Excellent Movement Image of the 12 months award for the movie, which chronicles the one all-Black feminine battalion to serve in World Conflict II. Martin Lawrence gained the Excellent Actor in a Movement Image award for Unhealthy Boys: Trip or Die.
Host Deon Cole opened the present by recognizing Altadena, California, saying that the neighborhood ravaged by the L.A. Wildfires would construct again “larger and higher.” He then led the viewers in prayer, asking to “cowl our brother Kanye West,” who’s presently dealing with a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, “and his spouse Bianca Censori,” identified for her little-to-no clothes decisions. Cole additionally joked that God wanted to deliver again conservative persona Candace Owens, cease Kirk Franklin’s twerking, and bless Shannon Sharpe with the dimensions of clothes he actually wanted, leaving the Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer in stitches within the viewers. Off-camera, California congresswoman Maxine Waters acquired a standing ovation and waved to the viewers as Cole referred to as her “the queen.”
Aldis Hodge and Edwin Hodge made historical past as the primary two brothers to current an NAACP Picture Award collectively. They thanked their mom earlier than presenting the Excellent Actress Award Drama Sequence to Queen Latifah for her work on CBS’ Equalizer.
Michael Rainey Jr., who performed Tariq St. Patrick throughout the Energy franchise, earned his first Picture Award within the Excellent Actor Award in a Drama Sequence. He stored his acceptance speech brief and candy, thanking his father and everybody who had helped him in his profession.
A particular part centered on the survivors of the LA Wildfires, who shared their tales of loss and resilience. Twenty-two residents from Altadena then took the stage as Morris Chestnut talked about how this historic Black city got here collectively to offer clothes, meals and help. NAACP, BET and others have established the Altadena Neighborhood Fund to assist these affected. Ledisi then raised the roof with a rousing gospel efficiency that had many on their toes, together with Kerry Washington, Essence Atkins and the solid of Bel Air.
Presenter Laverne Cox identified that her Clear Slate co-star/onscreen daddy, George Wallace, has by no means been nominated for an NAACP Picture Award, which wanted to be rectified in 2026 for his or her new collection. Accepting the award for Excellent Actress in a Comedy Sequence winner Quinta Brunson, Wallace exclaimed, “I acquired it!” Damon Wayans took dwelling the Excellent Actor in a Comedy Sequence award, his first out of six nominations, for Poppa’s Home.
In one in all her first appearances since her tenure as Vice President of the US, Kamala Harris accepted the Chairman’s Award. A proud lifetime member, she thanked everybody concerned with the NAACP for his or her tireless advocacy. Quoting W.E.B. Du Bois, she advocated that we will need to have a “sense of urgency” within the battle for America’s future and democracy. “Our energy has by no means come from having a straightforward path.”
In Dwelling Colour alum, David Alan Grier launched the Wayans Household, who had been inducted into the NAACP Corridor of Fame. Two generations stuffed the stage. Damon Sr. spoke of how massive brother Kenan was first impressed by Richard Pryor’s debut on the Ed Sullivan Present to pursue a profession in comedy. Whereas eldest sibling Kenan was notably absent from the awards presentation (together with brother Marlon), Damon Sr. and Shawn regaled the viewers with comical tales of Kenan’s willpower that introduced his whole household success in Hollywood.
NAACP President’s Award winner Gabrielle Union and 16-time NAACP award winner Taraji P. Henson offered the Founder’s Award to BET, which was based 45 years in the past by Bob and Sheila Johnson. Harold Perrineau launched the “In Memoriam,” which included actor James Earl Jones and Louis Gossett Jr., music artist Duke Fakir and poet Nikki Giovanni, sports activities legends Dikembe Mutombo and Willie Mays, choreographer Judith Jamison, politician Sheila Jackson Lee and lots of different performers, leaders and activists we are going to at all times keep in mind. Quincy Jones, who died in 2024 at age 91, acquired a particular memorial tribute.
Dave Chappelle acquired the 2025 President’s Award, recognizing his comedy as an activism platform, educating and galvanizing change via his phrases. Accepting the award, he said, “This one tonight might be probably the most particular I’ve ever gotten…It represents us, folks of shade.” He related the origin of the NAACP in response to the racist 1915 movie The Beginning of a Nation and the way the group has been opening doorways for performers of shade ever since.
A number of corporations reaffirmed their dedication to variety and equality with applications and commercials featured all through the published. Ally Financial institution highlighted its Thurgood Marshall School Fund for “Moguls within the Making,” which prepares HBCU college students as future enterprise leaders. Toyota offered a industrial recognizing younger Black males’s drive. P&G shared its HBCYou applications that present scholarships and types to college students. Goal, which has been criticized for rolling again its DEI initiatives, ran a grocery industrial that includes a notably Black solid. Walmart additionally highlighted Black founders in a branded section.
