NAACP Image Awards

NAACP Image Awards History

The NAACP Image Awards are an event organized by the U.S National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The ceremony celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the television, music, and literature. It also recognizes those people of color who promote social justice through their creative work. Nominations occur several months before the event. A committee votes first and then soon after voting becomes open to the public.

The NAACP Awards were first held in 1968 and then became televised in 1994 on the Fox Network. The event occurs annually around the first week of February.

Top 4 Facts for NAACP Image Awards in 2026

• The 56th NAACP Image Awards was held live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Los Angeles, on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
• The 2024 award for Entertainer of the Year went to Usher.
  The 2024 award for Outstanding Motion Picture went to The Color Purple.
  The 2024 award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture went to Colman Doimingo for his performance in Rustin.
  The 2024 award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture went to Fantasia Barrino for her performance in The Color Purple.
• In this season of reflection and reckoning, the 52nd NAACP Image Awards will continue a tradition of uplifting values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change, and highlighting artists committed to that purpose - Karen Boykin-Towns, Vice Chair of NAACP National Board of Directors
• The first Image Awards ceremony was held in 1967, at the Beverly Hills Hilton in California.

In the News and Trending for NAACP Image Awards

Top things to do for NAACP Image Awards

• See who won the 52nd NAACP Image Awards.
• Browse the full list of nominees and winners of the 52nd NAACP Image Awards.
• Check out the 52nd NAACP Image Awards Program Journal. Discover all the content you might have missed from the award show.