Entertainer of the year, a hall of fame induction for the Wayans family and a special honor for former Vice President Kamala Harris promise to be the highlights at Saturday’s NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
Now in its 56th year, the NAACP Image Awards are focused on “celebrating Black excellence and resilience,” according to an event release provided by BET, which is airing the ceremony living beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The network also is airing a red-carpet pre-how at 7 p.m. ET. Athletes, actors, musicians and writers of color have been honored by the NAACP since the Image Awards were first presented in August 1967.
Among the stars nominated this year: Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Hart and Shannon Sharpe are vying for entertainer of the year. The comedic juggernaut that is the Wayans family will be inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame, with Keenan Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., Marlon Wayans and Kim Wayans among the individuals to be recognized.
Among the acting awards, Erivo also has been nominated for outstanding actress in a motion picture for Wicked, alongside Kerry Washington for The Six Triple Eight, Lashana Lynch for Bob Marley: One Love, Lupita Nyong’o for A Quiet Place: Day One and Regina King for Shirley.
Former Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Harris is being honored with the evening’s Chairman’s Award, which in the past has been presented to the late Rep. John Lewis, the late actor Ruby Dee, former President Barack Obama and actor Samuel L. Jackson. NAACP board of directors chair Leon W. Russell called Harris “more than a leader — she is a force of change, driven by an unwavering passion to shape a brighter, more equitable future.”
Not unlike the Television Academy’s Emmy Awards, the NAACP Image Awards are presented over multiple evenings due to the quantity of categories. Earlier in the week, winners included Beyoncé, who took home awards for both outstanding female artist and outstanding album, for Country Carter, while her 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter won outstanding character voiceover performance for a motion picture, for her work in Mufasa: The Lion King.
Here’s a look at the arrivals at Saturday’s NAACP Image Awards.