The mood was cheerful and lively at the 51st annual NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 22. Stars such as Yara Shahidi, Tracee Ellis Ross, Michael B. Jordan, and Janelle Monáe hit up the Los Angeles event to celebrate some of the trailblazing people of color in television, film, music, and literature. The program included performances by H.E.R. and Jill Scott, as well as a tribute to late NBA star Kobe Bryant.
Lizzo earned one of the biggest honours of the night, taking home the entertainer of the year award. “Every last one of you, you are the award,” she said while accepting the trophy. “We are so special. We are such a beautiful people. This is just a reminder of all the incredible things that we can do. God bless you, and keep on being an award.”
Another notable recipient was Rihanna, who received the President’s Award that recognizes special achievement and distinguished public service. In a powerful acceptance speech, the mogul called for social action and unity. “If there’s anything that I’ve learned, we can only fix this world together,” she said. “We can’t do it divided. I cannot emphasize that enough. We cannot let the desensitivity seep in. The, ‘If it’s your problem, then it’s not mine’ . . . When we’re marching and protesting and posting about the Michael Brown Jr.’s and the Atatiana Jefferson’s of the world, tell your friends to pull up . . . We have been denied opportunities since the beginning of time, and still we prevail. Imagine what we could do together.”
The NAACP also honored early award recipients at a non-televised dinner on Feb. 21. One of the big winners from that gathering was Marsai Martin, whose role on Black-ish earned her the awards for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding performance by a youth. She also snagged the honor of outstanding breakthrough performance in a motion picture for her role in Little. After her wins, the 15-year-old star took to Instagram to share her gratitude. “I’m shook. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she captioned a sweet snap of her with the trophies.
Beyoncé, who skipped the red carpet on both nights, was another major honoree as she took home seven awards: outstanding female artist, outstanding album (Homecoming: The Live Album), outstanding traditional song (“Spirit”), outstanding contemporary song (“Before I Let Go”), outstanding soundtrack/compilation album (The Lion King: The Gift), outstanding series or special variety (Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé), and outstanding duo, group, or collaboration (“Brown Skin Girl”), which was also awarded to Bey’s daughter, Blue Ivy. Look ahead to see the star-studded photos from the NAACP Image Awards weekend celebration!
Getty / Paras Griffin
Yara Shahidi and Marsai Martin at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Michael B. Jordan at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Rich Fury
Lizzo and Janelle Monáe at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Skip Marley and H.E.R. at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Rich Fury
Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Marsai Martin at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Elaine Welteroth at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
Getty / Rich Fury
Jamie Foxx at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Rich Fury
Jill Scott at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Storm Reid and Marsai Martin at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Marsai Martin at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
Getty / Leon Bennett
Lena Waithe at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Rich Fury
Lizzo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Janelle Monáe at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Paras Griffin
Michael B. Jordan at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Cynthia Erivo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Amanda Seales, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Adrienne Houghton, and Jeannie Mai at NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Diggy Simmons at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Michael B. Jordan and Lizzo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Cynthia Erivo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Marcus Scribner at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Lexi Underwood at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Tichina Arnold at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Kiki Layne at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Michael B. Jordan and Janelle Monáe at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Angela Bassett at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Asher Goldstein, Brie Larson, Michael B. Jordan, and Bryan Stevenson at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Tracee Ellis Ross at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Tracee Ellis Ross at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Tichina Arnold at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Diggy Simmons at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Janelle Monáe at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Parker Curry at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Emily Arlook at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Cynthia Erivo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Brie Larson at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Erica Campbell at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Jamie Foxx, Brie Larson, and Michael B. Jordan at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Erica Ash at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Asante Blackk at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Lizzo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Miles Brown at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Niecy Nash at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Melina Matsoukas at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Chloe Bailey at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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T.I. at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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H.E.R. at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Francia Raisa at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Tamron Hall at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Lena Waithe, Tichina Arnold, and Elijah Kelley at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Kiki Layne at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Paras Griffin
Elaine Welteroth at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Paras Griffin
Michael B. Jordan at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Matt Winkelmeyer
Miles Brown at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
Getty / Leon Bennett
Skip Marley and H.E.R. at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Rich Fury
Storm Reid and Marsai Martin at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Anthony Anderson and Lizzo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Yvette Nicole Brown at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Ryan Michelle Bathe and Sterling K. Brown at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Lizzo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Shahadi Wright Joseph at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Logan Browning at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Angela Bassett at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Caleel Harris at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Chloe Bailey at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Luka Sabbat at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Bianca Lawson at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
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Marsai Martin at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Jill Scott at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Melina Matsoukas at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Lauren Spencer at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Caleel Harris at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Lizzo and Janelle Monáe at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Tracee Ellis Ross and Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Tracee Ellis Ross at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Rich Fury
Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Cynthia Erivo at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Rich Fury
Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Jamie Foxx at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Paras Griffin
Jill Scott and H.E.R. at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Rich Fury
Janelle Monáe at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Tiffany Haddish at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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H.E.R. at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Yara Shahidi at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Octavia Spencer at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Trevor Jackson at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
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Tiffany Haddish at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Storm Reid at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards
Getty / Leon Bennett
Shahadi Wright Joseph at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards Dinner
