NAACP Image Awards 2025: See the Complete Winners List

Mar. 15, 2025

Keke Palmer at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.Photo:Johnny Nunez/Getty

Johnny Nunez/Getty

The 2025NAACP Image Awardwinners are in!

In the Entertainer of the Year category, Keke Palmer beat outCynthia Erivo,Kendrick Lamar,Kevin Hartand Shannon Sharpe.

Taraji P. Hensonwent into the ceremony a two-time winner, for supporting actress in limited seriesFight Night: The Million Dollar Heistand as the author of the children’s bookYou Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book. Other previously announced winners includedSamuel L. Jackson,Marlon Wayans, Joy Ann Reid,Blue Ivy Carter, Doechii, Samara Joy andJamie Foxxfor his comedy specialWhat Had Happened Was.

The NAACP gave special honors to several trailblazers across industries:Kamala Harrisreceived the Chairman’s Award,Dave Chappelleearned the President’s Award, and theWayans familywere inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.

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See the full list of winners below:

Entertainer of the Year

Cynthia ErivoKeke Palmer - WINNERKendrick LamarKevin HartShannon Sharpe

Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year

Kai CenatKeith LeeRaeShanda LiasShirley Raines - WINNERTony Baker

Outstanding Motion Picture

Bad Boys: Ride or DieBob Marley: One LoveThe Piano LessonWickedThe Six Triple Eight - WINNER

The Piano Lesson.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

André Holland,Exhibiting ForgivenessColman Domingo,Sing SingJohn David Washington,The Piano LessonKingsley Ben-Adir,Bob Marley: One LoveMartin Lawrence,Bad Boys: Ride or Die- WINNER

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Cynthia Erivo,WickedKerry Washington,The Six Triple Eight- WINNERLashana Lynch,Bob Marley: One LoveLupita Nyong’o,A Quiet Place: Day OneRegina King,Shirley

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Brian Tyree Henry,The Fire InsideCorey Hawkins,The Piano LessonDavid Alan Grier,The American Society of Magical NegroesDenzel Washington,Gladiator II- WINNERSamuel L. Jackson,The Piano Lesson

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor,Exhibiting ForgivenessAunjanue Ellis-Taylor,Nickel BoysDanielle Deadwyler,The Piano LessonEbony Obsidian,The Six Triple Eight- WINNERLynn Whitfield,Albany Road

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

Albany RoadExhibiting ForgivenessRob PeaceSing Sing - WINNERWe Grown Now

Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin.A24

A24

Outstanding International Motion Picture

El lugar de la otraMemoir of a SnailThe Seed of the SacredThe Wall Street Boy - KipkemboiEmilia Pérez - WINNER

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Brandon Wilson,Nickel BoysClarence Maclin,Sing SingDanielle Deadwyler,The Piano LessonEbony Obsidian,The Six Triple Eight- WINNERRyan Destiny,The Fire Inside

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

Bob Marley: One LoveThe Book of ClarenceThe Piano LessonWickedThe Six Triple Eight- WINNER

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

Outstanding Character Voice–Over Performance – Motion Picture

Aaron Pierre,Mufasa: The Lion KingAnika Noni Rose,Mufasa: The Lion KingAyo Edebiri,Inside Out 2Blue Ivy Carter,Mufasa: The Lion King- WINNERLupita Nyong’o,The Wild Robot

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

Chocolate with SprinklesDefinitely Not a MonsterIf They Took Us BackMy Brother & MeSuperman Doesn’t Steal- WINNER

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

if(fy)SelfWalk in the LightNate & JohnPeanut Headz: Black History Toonz “Jackie Robinson”- WINNER

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

David Fortune,Color BookMalcolm Washington,The Piano Lesson- WINNERRaMell Ross,Nickel BoysTitus Kaphar,Exhibiting ForgivenessZoë Kravitz,Blink Twice

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in Nickel Boys.Courtesy of Orion Pictures

Courtesy of Orion Pictures

Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture

Anthony B. Jenkins,The DeliveranceBlake Cameron James,We Grown NowJeremiah Daniels,Color BookPercy Daggs IV,Never Let GoSkylar Aleece Smith,The Piano Lesson- WINNER

Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture

Andrés Arochi,LonglegsJomo Fray,Nickel Boys- WINNERJustin Derry,She Taught LoveLachlan Milne,Exhibiting ForgivenessRob Hardy,The Book of Clarence

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary- WINNERHow to Die AlonePoppa’s HouseThe NeighborhoodThe Upshaws

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Cedric The Entertainer,The NeighborhoodDamon Wayans,Poppa’s House- WINNERDavid Alan Grier,St. Denis MedicalDelroy Lindo,UnPrisonedMike Epps,The Upshaws

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Ayo Edebiri,The BearKerry Washington,UnPrisonedNatasha Rothwell,How to Die AloneQuinta Brunson,Abbott Elementary- WINNERTichina Arnold,The Neighborhood

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Damon Wayans Jr.,Poppa’s House- WINNERGiancarlo Esposito,The GentlemenKenan Thompson,Saturday Night LiveTyler James Williams,Abbott ElementaryWilliam Stanford Davis,Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Danielle Pinnock,Ghosts- WINNEREgo Nwodim,Saturday Night LiveJanelle James,Abbott ElementarySheryl Lee Ralph,Abbott ElementaryWanda Sykes,The Upshaws

Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams in Abbott Elementary.DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson

DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson

Outstanding Drama Series

9-1-1Bel AirFoundReasonable DoubtCross- WINNER

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Aldis Hodge,CrossDonald Glover,Mr. & Mrs. SmithHarold Perrineau,FROMJabari Banks,Bel-AirMichael Rainey Jr.,Power Book II: Ghost- WINNER

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Angela Bassett,9-1-1Emayatzy Corinealdi,Reasonable DoubtQueen Latifah,The Equalizer- WINNERShanola Hampton,FoundZoe Saldaña,Lioness

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Adrian Holmes,Bel-AirCliff “Method Man” Smith,Power Book II: Ghost- WINNERIsaiah Mustafa,CrossJacob Latimore,The ChiMorris Chestnut,Reasonable Doubt

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Adjoa Andoh,BridgertonCoco Jones,Bel-AirGolda Rosheuvel,BridgertonLorraine Toussaint,The EqualizerLynn Whitfield,The Chi- WINNER

Olly Sholotan and Jabari Banks in Bel Air.Greg Gayne/PEACOCK

Greg Gayne/PEACOCK

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist- WINNERGenius: MLK/XGriseldaRebel RidgeThe Madness

Outstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

Aaron Pierre,Rebel Ridge- WINNERColman Domingo,The MadnessKelvin Harrison Jr.,Genius: MLK/XKevin Hart,Fight Night: The Million Dollar HeistLaurence Fishburne,Clipped

Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor,The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-EatNaturi Naughton,Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie- WINNERSanaa Lathan,The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-EatSofía Vergara,GriseldaUzo Aduba,The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

Don Cheadle,Fight Night: The Million Dollar HeistLuke James, Them:The ScareRon Cephas Jones,Genius: MLK/XSamuel L. Jackson,Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist- WINNERTerrence Howard,Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

Brandy Norwood,Descendants: The Rise of RedJayme Lawson,Genius: MLK/XLoretta Devine,Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted By LoveSanaa Lathan,Young. Wild. Free.Taraji P. Henson,Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist- WINNER

Kevin Hart and Taraji P. Henson in The Million Dollar Heist.Parrish Lewis/PEACOCK

Parrish Lewis/PEACOCK

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

Outstanding Talk Series

Hart to HeartSherriTamron Hall ShowThe Shop Season 7The Jennifer Hudson Show- WINNER

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)

Celebrity Family Feud- WINNERPasswordRhythm + FlowThe Real Housewives of PotomacTia Mowry: My Next Act

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)

BET Awards 2024Deon Cole: Ok, MisterKatt Williams: Woke FokeSaturday Night LiveJamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… - WINNER

Jamie Foxx.Parrish Lewis/Netflix

Parrish Lewis/Netflix

Outstanding Children’s Program

Craig of the CreekDescendants: The Rise of RedSesame StreetSnoopy Presents: Welcome Home, FranklinGracie’s Corner - WINNER

Caleb Elijah,CrossGraceyn Hollingsworth,Gracie’s CornerLeah Sava’ Jeffries,Percy Jackson and the Olympians- WINNERMelody Hurd,CrossTJ Mixson,The Madness

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Alfonso Ribeiro,Dancing with the StarsKeke Palmer,Password- WINNERNick Cannon,The Masked SingerSteve Harvey,Celebrity Family FeudTaraji P. Henson,BET Awards 2024

Jimmy Fallon and Keke Palmer on Password.Evans Vestal Ward/NBC

Evans Vestal Ward/NBC

Outstanding Guest Performance

Ayo Edebiri,Saturday Night LiveCree Summer,Abbott ElementaryKeegan-Michael Key,Abbott ElementaryMarlon Wayans,Bel-Air- WINNERMaya Rudolph,Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Animated Series

Disney Jr.’s ArielEverybody Still Hates ChrisGracie’s Corner - WINNERIwájúMarvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Angela Bassett,Orion and the DarkCree Summer,Rugrats- WINNERCree Summer,The Legend of Vox MachinaDawnn Lewis,Star Trek: Lower DecksKeke Palmer,The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction /Documentary

In the MarginsNCAA Basketball on CBS SportsRoots of ResistanceSC FeaturedThe Prince of Death Row Records- WINNER

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Ayo Edebiri,The Bear- WINNERDiarra Kilpatrick,Diarra From DetroitMaurice Williams,The MadnessThembi L. Banks,Young. Wild. Free.Vince Staples,The Vince Staples Show

Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri.Chuck Hodes/ FX on Hulu/ Everett

Chuck Hodes/ FX on Hulu/ Everett

Outstanding New Artist

Doechii - WINNERMyles SmithSamohtShaboozeyTyla

Outstanding Male Artist

Chris Brown - WINNERJ. ColeKendrick LamarOctober LondonUsher

Outstanding Female Artist

Beyoncé - WINNERCoco JonesDoechiiGloRillaH.E.R.

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

Heart of a Human, DOELive Breathe Fight, Tamela Mann - WINNERStill Karen, Karen Clark SheardSunny Days, Yolanda AdamsThe Maverick Way Reimagined, Maverick City Music

Outstanding International Song

“Close,” Skip Marley“Hmmm," Chris Brown feat. Davido - WINNER“Jump," Tyla“Love Me JeJe," Tems“Piece of My Heart," Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

“Alright," Victoria Monét“Alter Ego (ALTERnate Version)," Doechii, JT“Boy Bye," Chloe Bailey“Not Like Us," Kendrick Lamar - WINNER“Yeah Glo!," GloRilla

Outstanding Album

Alligator Bites Never Heal, DoechiiCape Town to Cairo, PJ MortonComing Home, UsherCowboy Carter, Beyoncé - WINNERGlorious, GloRilla

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

Bob Marley: One Love (Soundtrack)Genius: MLK/X (Songs from the Original Series)Reasonable Doubt (Season 2) (Original Soundtrack)The Book of Clarence (The Motion Picture Soundtrack)Wicked: The Soundtrack- WINNER

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

“Church Doors," Yolanda Adams“Do It Anyway," Tasha Cobbs Leonard“God Problems (Not By Power)," Maverick City Music feat. Miles Minnick“I Prayed for You (Said a Prayer)," MAJOR.“Working for Me," Tamela Mann - WINNER

Outstanding Jazz Album

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

“16 CARRIAGES," Beyoncé“Here We Go (Uh Oh)," Coco Jones“I Found You," PJ Morton“Residuals," Chris Brown - WINNER“Saturn," SZA

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song

“Mamushi," Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba“Murdergram Deux," LL Cool J feat. Eminem“Noid," Tyler, the Creator“Not Like Us," Kendrick Lamar - WINNER“Yeah Glo!," GloRilla

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

Adam Blackstone & Fantasia, “Summertime” - WINNERLeela James feat. Kenyon Dixon, “Watcha Done Now”Maverick City Music feat. Miles Minnick, “God Problems (Not By Power)”Muni Long & Mariah Carey, “Made for Me”Sounds of Blackness feat. Jamecia Bennett & Buddy McLain, “Thankful”

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

FLO & GloRilla, “In My Bag”GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard, Chandler Moore, “RAIN DOWN ON ME”USHER & Burna Boy, “Coming Home”Victoria Monét feat. Usher, “SOS” (Sex on Sight)Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz, “Piece of My Heart” - WINNER

Outstanding Original Score for Television/Motion Picture

Challengers (Original Score)Dune: Part Two (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)The American Society of Magical Negroes (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)The Book of Clarence (Original Motion Picture Score)Star Wars: The Acolyte (Original Soundtrack)- WINNER

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

DaughtersFridaKing of Kings: Chasing Edward JonesThe Greatest Night in PopLuther: Never Too Much - WINNER

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

Black Barbie: A Documentary- WINNERBlack Twitter: A People’s HistoryGospelSimone Biles RisingSprint

Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)

Camille A. Brown: Giant StepsDanielle Scott: Ancestral CallJudging JuriesSilent KillerHow to Sue the Klan- WINNER

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Ashley Nicole Black —Shrinking, “Changing Patterns"Brittani Nichols —Abbott Elementary, “Breakup"Crystal Jenkins —No Good Deed, “Letters of Intent” - WINNERDiarra Kilpatrick —Diarra From Detroit, “Chasing Ghosts"Jordan Temple —Abbott Elementary, “Smoking” (ABC)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Azia Squire —Bridgerton, “Tick Tock"Ben Watkins —Cross, “Hero Complex” - WINNERFrancesca Sloane, Donald Glover —Mr. & Mrs. Smith, “First Date"Geetika Lizardi —Bridgerton, “Joining of Hands"Lauren Gamble —Bridgerton, “Old Friends”

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

Brandon Espy, Carl Reid —Mr. CrocketBree West, Chazitear,A Wesley South African ChristmasJuel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Thembi L. Banks, —Young. Wild. Free.- WINNERRudy Mancuso, Dan Lagana —MúsicaTina Mabry, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Cee Marcellus —The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

Barry Jenkins —The Fire InsideRaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes —Nickel Boys- WINNERSteve McQueen —BlitzTitus Kaphar —Exhibiting ForgivenessVirgil Williams, Malcolm Washington —The Piano Lesson

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Ayo Edebiri —The Bear, “Napkins"Bentley Kyle Evans —Mind Your Business, “The Reunion"Robbie Countryman —The Upshaws, “Ain’t Broke"Tiffany Johnson —How to Die Alone, “Trust No One” - WINNERWilliam Smith —The Vince Staples Show, “Brown Family”

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Carl Franklin —Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, “Blame It on the Rain"Marta Cunningham —Genius: MLK/X, “Protect Us"Marta Cunningham —Genius: MLK/X, “Who We Are"Paris Barclay —Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?“Rapman —Supacell, “Supacell” - WINNER

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary, or Special

Kelley Kali —KembaMarcelo Gama —BET Awards 2024Shanta Fripp —Black Men’s SummitThembi L. Banks —Young. Wild. FreeTina Mabry —The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can Eat- WINNER

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

Jeymes Samuel —The Book of ClarenceMalcolm Washington —The Piano LessonRaMell Ross —Nickel Boys- WINNERReinaldo Marcus Green —Bob Marley: One LoveSteve McQueen —Blitz

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)

Bao Nguyen —The Greatest Night in PopDawn Porter —Luther: Never Too Much- WINNERDeborah Riley Draper —James Brown: Say It LoudJason Pollard, Sam Pollard —Ol' Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two DirtysNneka Onuorah —Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde— Tia WilliamsGrown Woman— Sarai JohnsonNeighbors and Other Stories— Diane Oliver, Tayari Jones (Foreword)One of Us Knows: A Thriller— Alyssa Cole - WINNERWhat You Leave Behind— Wanda M. Morris

Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction

A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune— Noliwe RooksLove & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest— Fawn Weaver - WINNERPicturing Black History: Photographs and Stories that Changed the World— Daniela Edmeier, Damarius Johnson, Nicholas B. Breyfogle and Steven ConnThe 1619 Project: A Visual Experience— Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times MagazineThe Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America— Larry Tye

A Kind of Madness— Uche OkonkwoAfroCentric Style: A Celebration of Blackness & Identity in Pop Culture— Shirley NealGrown Woman— Sarai Johnson - WINNERMasquerade— O.O. SangoyomiSwift River— Essie Chambers

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography

Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me— Whoopi GoldbergBy the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie’s Smile and Mental Illness ― Her Story in Her Own Words— Cheslie Kryst and April SimpkinsDo It Anyway: Don’t Give Up Before It Gets Good— Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Sarah Jakes Roberts (Foreword)Lovely One: A Memoir— Ketanji Brown JacksonMedgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America— Joy-Ann Reid - WINNER

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

Bluff: Poems— Danez SmithGood Dress— Brittany RogersLoad in Nine Times: Poems— Frank X WalkerSong of My Softening— Omotara JamesThis Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets— Kwame Alexander - WINNER

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

Outstanding Graphic Novel

Big Jim and the White Boy: An American Classic Reimagined— David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame AndersonBlack Defender: The Awakening— Dr. David Washington, Mr. Zhengis Tasbolatov (Illustrator), Mr. Billy Blanks (Foreword)Gamerville— Johnnie ChristmasGhost Roast— Shawneé Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs, Emily Cannon (Illustrator)Punk Rock Karaoke— Bianca Xunise - WINNER

Outstanding News and Information Podcast

#SundayCivicsAfter the UprisingInto America: Uncounted MillionsThe Assignment with Audie CornishNative Land Pod- WINNER

Outstanding Lifestyle/Self–Help Podcast

Balanced Black GirlIs This Going to Cause An ArgumentThe R Spot with IyanlaTherapy for Black GirlsWe Don’t Always Agree with Ryan & Sterling- WINNER

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast

Outstanding Sports, Arts and Entertainment Podcast

Naked Sports with Cari ChampionNightcapQuestlove SupremeR&B Money PodcastTwo Funny Mamas- WINNER

Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form

About the JourneySqueezed with Yvette Nicole BrownThe Wonder of StevieWhen We Win wih Maya RupertStranded- WINNER

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film)

Ernesto Martinez —Fight Night: The Million Dollar HeistMegan Coates —ShirleyGersha Phillips —The Big CigarFrancine Jamison-Tanchuck —The Piano LessonPaul Tazewell —Wicked

Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film)

Carol Rasheed —Fight Night: The Million Dollar HeistDebi Young —Shirley- WINNERRebecca Lee —ShōgunMatiki Anoff —The Book of ClarencePara Malden —The Piano Lesson

Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film)

Terry Hunt —Bel-AirLawrence Davis —Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist- WINNERNakoya Yancey —ShirleyBrian Badie —The PenguinAndrea Mona Bowman —The Piano Lesson

CrossGrotesquerieRed OneThem: The ScareRebel Ridge- WINNER

source: people.com