54th NAACP Image Awards – ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ ‘Abbott Elementary’ win big; Angela Bassett named Entertainer of the Year

Black Panther: Wakanda was named Outstanding Motion Picture at the 54th NAACP Image Awards tonight, with stars Angela Bassett and Tenoch Huerta Mejía winning Outstanding Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for the film.

Viola Davis (The Woman King) and Will Smith (Emancipation) took the lead acting motion picture awards.

Bassett was named Entertainer of the Year as well as earned a win for leading actress in a drama series for 9-1-1.

Queen Latifah hosted the ceremony from Pasadena Civic Auditorium and opened the show with a tribute to Black women, highlighting several women in the audience, including Serena Williams (who received the Jackie Robinson Sports Award), Bassett, and new EOGT winner Davis. Later in the ceremony, Latifah welcomed Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was detained for 294 days in Russia, to the stage for a brief appearance with her wife, Cherelle Griner.

“I want to thank everyone,” Griner said. “Let’s fight to bring home every American detained oversees.”

Abbott Elementary swept the NAACP Image Awards with wins for Comedy Series, Actress (Quinta Brunson), Supporting Actor (Tyler James Williams) and Supporting Actress (Janelle James). Cedric the Entertainer won the lead actor comedy award for The Neighborhood.

P-Valley was the big winner in drama, with wins for drama series, lead actor (Nicco Annan) and supporting actress (Loretta DeVine).

The Best Man: The Final Chapters was a double winner in the limited series categories, winning Outstanding Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special and lead actor for Morris Chesnut. Niecy Nash earned a lead actress win for Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson received the Chairman’s Award for his work chairing the January 6 Committee that investigated the attack on the U.S. Capitol Building in 2021, and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump accepted the Social Justice Impact Award. Crump received a standing ovation during his acceptance speech where he delivered a passionate defense of the teaching of Black American history in public schools.

“Black history is American history and all of our children must know that their culture contributed to the progress and history of the United States of America,” Crump said. “We have to be prepared to fight for our children’s future until hell freezes over, and then we have to be ready to fight on the ice.”

Here is the list of winners from tonight’s 54th NAACP Image Awards.

Entertainer of the Year

Angela Bassett

Film

Outstanding Motion Picture: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: Gina Prince-Bythewood, The Woman King

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Will Smith, Emancipation
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Viola Davis, The Woman King
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Tenoch Huerta, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture: The Inspection
Outstanding Documentary (Film): Civil
Outstanding International Motion Picture: Bantú Mama

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture: Jalyn Hall, Till

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture: Wendell & Wild
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture: Keke Palmer, Lightyear
Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action): Dear Mama…
Outstanding Short-Form (Animated): More Than I Want To Remember

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture): Ericka Nicole Malone, Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture): Reginald Hudlin, Sidney
Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film): Ruth E. Carter, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film): Camille Friend, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By (Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan)

Television

Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Cedric The Entertainer, The Neighborhood
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: Brittani Nichols, Abbott Elementary – “Student Transfer”
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series: Angela Barnes, Atlanta – “The Homeliest Little Horse”

Outstanding Drama Series: P-Valley
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: Nicco Annan, P-Valley
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Angela Bassett, 9-1-1
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Power Book II: Ghost
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Loretta Devine, P-Valley
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Marissa Jo Cerar, Women of the Movement – “Episode 101”
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul – “Axe and Grind”

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: Morris Chestnut, The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: Niecy Nash-Betts, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: Keith David, From Scratch
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: Nia Long, The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special: Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams, Entergalactic
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special: Anton Cropper, Fantasy Football

Outstanding Documentary (Television): Everything’s Gonna be All White
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special): ABC News 20/20 Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry, A Conversation with Robin Roberts
Outstanding Talk Series: Sherri
Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series): Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special): The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Outstanding Children’s Program: Tab Time
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series): Ja’Siah Young, Raising Dion
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Tabitha Brown, Tab Time

Outstanding Guest Performance: Glynn Turman, Queen Sugar

Outstanding Animated Series: The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television): Kyla Pratt, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama: Between The Scenes – The Daily Show
Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction: Daring Simone Biles

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television): Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film): Debi Young, Sandra Linn, Ngozi Olandu Young, Gina Bateman – We Own This City

Special awards

President’s Award: Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
Jackie Robinson Sports Award: Serena Williams
Chairman’s Award: Congressman Bennie G. Thompson
Social Justice Impact Award: Benjamin Crump