Published on January 15th, 2025 | by Jessica Williams

Nominees Announced For The 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards

The NAACP announced the full list of “56th NAACP Image Awards” nominees, with Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Hart, and Shannon Sharpe nominated for Entertainer of the Year. The winners will be revealed Friday, February 21, 2025, at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors Ceremonies on naacpimageawards.net and during the two-hour LIVE TV special, airing Saturday, February 22, 2025, from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, at 8 PM ET/ 8 PM PT on BET and CBS. This year’s theme is “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence.”

The Piano Lesson leads in motion picture categories with 14 nods, followed by The Book of Clarence with six nominations. Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist leads across the television categories with nine nominations. Netflix also leads with an impressive 62 nominations.

Ayo Edebiri is leading the television and streaming categories with four nominations – three for her role in The Bear and one for Saturday Night Live. Keke Palmer earned four total nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, recognition for her role in Password, performance in The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, and podcast Baby, This is Keke Palmer.

GloRilla received the most nominations in the music recording categories, earning six, followed closely by Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and Usher, who earned four nods, respectively. RCA Records received an impressive 11 nominations, the most across record labels. Penguin Random House leads nominations across literary categories with four, followed by HarperCollins Amistad and William Morrow, tied with three nominations.

Nominations were announced today live on CBS Mornings by singer and actress Chloe Bailey and NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and on YouTube by actress Novi Brown, a musician and star of Grownish Trevor Jackson.

“We look forward to celebrating the brilliance of Black talent and creativity whose stories shape culture, ignite change, and inspire generations,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Through film, music, literature, and more, their voices weave a rich tapestry that honors our heritage, celebrates our identity, and proves that storytelling is a powerful force for driving true progress.”

“The NAACP Image Awards stand as a testament to the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Black creatives, innovators, and changemakers,” said Scott Mills, President and CEO of BET Media Group. “BET is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP to celebrate Black excellence in all forms. Together, we shine a light on the stories, voices, and artistry that shape culture and drive progress.”

By visiting www.naacpimageawards.net, the public can vote to determine the winners of the “56th NAACP Image Awards” in select categories. Voting closes on February 7, 2025, at 12:00 midnight (ET.) Winners will be revealed during the “56th NAACP Image Awards” telecast on Saturday, February 22, live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on BET and CBS. NAACP will also recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors Ceremonies on Friday, February 21. For information and updates, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.

Globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural awards shows, the “56th NAACP Image Awards” will continue a tradition of excellence. It will elevate values that inspire equality, justice, and progressive change and highlight artists committed to that purpose.

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws Hollywood’s biggest and brightest stars. Previous years’ attendees and winners include Ava DuVernay, Gabrielle Union, Dwayne Wade, Courtney B. Vance, Sherri Shepherd, Colman Domingo, Mike Epps, Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Usher, Tyler Perry, Angela Bassett, Damson Idris, Michelle ButeauVictoria Monét, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks, and many more.

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Tags: 56th NAACP Image Awards, NAACP, NAACP Image Award