What are NAACP Image Awards? Top winners of the night explored

You must have heard about several popular award shows like the Academy Awards, Emmy, Golden Globes, MTV Music Video Awards, and many more, but have you heard about the NAACP Image Awards? Well, if you haven't, you're at the right place. In this article, you'll learn everything about the NAACP Image Awards.

It wouldn't be completely wrong to call the NAACP Image Awards an underrated one. Indeed, they are not as popular or globally known as the ones mentioned above, but they are a huge deal in America. And to win one is certainly something to be proud of. However, we'll also talk about all the top winners of the 2025 NAACP Image Awards.

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Image Awards is an annual ceremony, but it is slightly different from the other awards as it primarily focuses on artists of color. Also, its non-profit status separates it from other award ceremonies. Unlike many other award shows, the NAACP Image Awards recognizes activists and people who promote social justice. Having said that, you probably have an idea about the NAACP Image Awards, let's move ahead.

Who are the top winners of the NAACP Image Awards?

The format of the NAACP Image Awards is a bit different from most award shows. It is divided into segments. For example, last Tuesday, 18 February 2025, a bunch of winners were declared in a non-televised ceremony. In the same way, several other winners will be declared on 22 February 2025, and this time, the show will take place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and will be live-streamed on the CBS and BET network at 8 pm.

Yes, you must be curious to find out about the winners. Toni Vaz, the first African American stuntwoman in Hollywood, who died last year in October at the age of 101, came up with the idea for the award ceremony. It was practically her brainchild.

During one of the NAACP branch meetings in 1967, Vaz shared the idea with the branch president, who, interestingly, liked the idea. But when she tried to make it happen in reality, not many people came forward to help. Eventually, she took help from some of the top African American personalities,s including Sammy Davis Jr., Sydney Poitier, and a few others.

After Vaz managed to get sponsors, she chose the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the ceremony. Finally, after a long struggle, the first-ever NAACP Image Awards ceremony was held on August 13, 1967. This year is the 56th season of the award show.

Interestingly, not many people are aware of this, but the African American community considers the NAACP Image Awards to be the black people's Oscars, Emmy, and Grammy. Nonetheless, let's move on and find out who won the NAACP Image Awards on Tuesday, 18 February 2025.

Here's the list:

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)

• Jamie Fox - What Had Happened Was (Netflix)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

• Ayo Ediberi - The Bear (FX/Hulu)

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

• Samuel L. Jackson - Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (Peacock)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

• Tiffany Johnson - How To Die Alone - "Trust No One" (Hulu)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

• Tina Mabry - The Supremes At Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (Hulu)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

• Rapman - Supacell - "Supacell" (Netflix)

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

• Taraji P. Henson - Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (Peacock)

Outstanding Guest Performance

• Marlon Wayans - "Bel-Air" (Peacock)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

• Crystal Jenkins - "No Good Deed - Letters of Intent" (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

• Ben Watkins - Cross "Hero Complex" (Prime Video)

Kamala Harris to be honored at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards

As mentioned earlier, the NAACP Image Awards is not only for talented artists but anyone who tries to make a difference and fights for something positive that benefits society. At the 56th NAACP Image Awards, former Vice-President Kamala Harris will be honored with the Prestigious Chairman's Award.

Harris was the 49th vice president of America and was also once a senator who represented California in 2017. The 60-year-old former VP will grace the NAACP Image Awards with her presence on February 22, 2025.

The chairman of the NAACP's board of directors, in a statement on Monday, said:

"Vice President Kamala Harris is more than a leader — she is a force of change, driven by an unwavering passion to shape a brighter, more equitable future. It is with great honor that we present her with the Chairman’s Award at this year’s NAACP Image Awards, celebrating her relentless dedication to justice, equality, and the betterment of our society".