The NAACP Image Awards have always celebrated our culture, celebrating Black excellence in film, television, music, and beyond, especially when other mainstream awards weren’t always paying attention. This year’s nominations are giving legacy and several new categories that will make this night feel more like a family reunion than an awards ceremony. Here are five fun facts about the annual recognition presentation that will make you the most knowledgeable in your group chat this week, as it leads up to the live 57th NAACP Image Awards broadcast on February 28.
The First Ceremony
The first NAACP Image Awards ceremony was held on August 13, 1967, as a response to the many award shows that rarely honored Black talent. Founded by Toni Vaz, a Black female stuntwoman pioneer, it was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The inaugural event honored figures like Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and the Black Stuntmen’s Association for breaking racial barriers in Hollywood.
Leading the Pack
Sinners leads the motion picture categories with 18 nominations, while Bel-Air tops the television categories with seven nominations. Tied with six are Kendrick Lamar in the music category and Teyana Taylor, whose nominations span film, TV and music. Both are nominated for Entertainer of the Year.
The Year’s Superlatives
This year’s youngest nominee is 10-year-old breakout Estella Kahiha, who received an NAACP Image Awards nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture for her role as Annie in the psychological thriller Woman in the Yard. The most seasoned nominee is Delroy Lindo, who has been getting props for his stellar role as bluesman Delta Slim in Sinners. He’s been recognized in the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture category.
Awards Expansion
The NAACP Image Awards added two new categories this year: one for Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism, recognizing impactful national journalism focusing on equity and the Black community. The second is Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special, to honor excellence in post-production, storytelling, and narrative. These join relatively new categories such as Breakthrough Creative, Character Voice-Over Performance, Podcast, and Social Media Personality.
And the Special Awards Go To…
This year, the NAACP Image Awards will honor four people: A$AP Rocky with the Vanguard Award for Fashion — celebrating his major impact on style and culture; Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant with the Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award for his leadership in social justic and community impact; Viola Davis with the Chairman’s Award to celebrate her artistry and activism; and Colman Domingo with the President’s Award, in recognition of distinguished achievement, leadership, and influence across entertainment, culture, and beyond.
The 57th Annual NAACP Image Awards airs live on Saturday, February 28, on BET and CBS.