You know how some award shows just feel like a long list of people thanking their agents? The NAACP Image Awards 2025 wasn't that. Honestly, walking into the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, the energy was just... higher. It’s the 56th year, but between the heavy-hitting political presence and some genuine "did that just happen?" wins, it felt like a total reset for the culture.
Deon Cole hosted, and if you've seen him in Black-ish or his stand-up, you know his vibe. He’s got this effortless way of being hilarious without trying too hard. He kept the night moving, which was needed because they actually extended the broadcast to two and a half hours this time. More time for the speeches that actually mattered.
Keke Palmer and the Big Wins of the Night
Let’s get into the meat of it. Keke Palmer took home Entertainer of the Year, and honestly, who else? She’s been everywhere—hosting, acting, being a meme, running her own network. Her speech was classic Keke: a mix of "keep going" inspiration and being authentically herself. She was up against some giants too, like Kendrick Lamar and Cynthia Erivo, but 2025 just felt like her year.
Then you had the movies. The Six Triple Eight was the big winner for Outstanding Motion Picture. It’s that Tyler Perry-directed WWII drama about the only all-Black, all-female battalion sent overseas. Kerry Washington won Outstanding Actress for her role in it, and the whole cast took home the Ensemble award. It’s one of those films that people sort of overlooked in the mainstream Oscar race, but the Image Awards made sure it got its flowers.
Speaking of flowers, Denzel Washington won for Gladiator II. It’s almost funny at this point—Denzel could probably win an award for reading a grocery list—but he really did eat in that role.
The Moments That Went Viral
If you were on Twitter (or X, whatever) that night, your feed was probably just the Wayans family. The entire crew—Marlon, Shawn, Kim, Damon, the whole legacy—got inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was emotional. Marlon gave this really beautiful shout-out to Keenen Ivory Wayans, basically saying there is no Wayans family in Hollywood without Keenen taking the first hits. It was a rare, vulnerable moment for a family that’s spent forty years making us laugh.
And then there was the "Not Like Us" factor. Kendrick Lamar didn't just have a good year; he had a historic one. He picked up Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song and Outstanding Music Video. Even months later, that song still has a grip on the culture.
A Quick Look at the Major Winners
- Entertainer of the Year: Keke Palmer
- Outstanding Motion Picture: The Six Triple Eight
- Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Martin Lawrence (Bad Boys: Ride or Die)
- Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Kerry Washington (The Six Triple Eight)
- Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary
- Outstanding Drama Series: Cross
- Outstanding Album: Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
Politics and the Chairman’s Award
It wasn't all just glitz. Former Vice President Kamala Harris showed up to accept the Chairman’s Award. This was a massive moment. She talked a lot about the "weight of history" and the need to keep pushing for justice. Whether you follow politics closely or not, seeing her on that stage after the 2024 election cycle brought a different kind of gravity to the room.
Dave Chappelle also made history as the first comedian to receive the President's Award. It’s a choice that probably sparked some debate in your group chats, but the NAACP stood by it, citing his "commitment to community and truth-telling."
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Television: The Old Guard and the New Hits
Abbott Elementary winning Outstanding Comedy Series is basically a tradition now, isn't it? Quinta Brunson and that crew just don't miss. But the Drama side saw a shift. Cross, the Amazon Prime series starring Aldis Hodge, took the top spot. It beat out some heavy hitters, proving that there’s a huge appetite for Black-led thrillers that don't always follow the standard "prestige drama" blueprint.
Also, can we talk about Michael Rainey Jr.? He won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for Power Book II: Ghost. That show has such a ride-or-die fanbase, and seeing him get recognized after literally growing up on screen was a highlight for the younger crowd watching.
Music: Queen Bey and New Blood
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter winning Outstanding Album felt like a foregone conclusion, but it was still a moment. She also won Outstanding Female Artist. On the flip side, Doechii grabbed Outstanding New Artist. If you haven't listened to her, you're missing out. She’s bringing an energy to rap that feels fresh and weird in the best way possible.
Chris Brown tied Usher’s record by winning his fourth Outstanding Male Artist trophy. Love him or hate him, the Image Awards voters clearly still show him a lot of love for the music.
Real Talk on the "Creative Honors"
A lot of the awards actually happened the night before the telecast. The "Creative Honors" are where the literary works, podcasts, and independent films get their shine.
- Samara Joy won for her jazz album Portrait.
- Joy-Ann Reid won for her biography on Medgar and Myrlie Evers.
- Sing Sing won for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture—if you haven't seen Colman Domingo in that, go find it on streaming immediately. It’s a masterpiece.
Why the 2025 Image Awards Mattered
Most award shows are struggling with ratings and relevance. People are tired of the "gatekeeping." What the NAACP Image Awards 2025 did right was balancing the massive stars (Beyoncé, Denzel) with the creators who are actually moving the needle on social media and in niche spaces. They honored Shirley Raines (Social Media Personality of the Year) alongside Vice Presidents.
It felt less like a Hollywood circle-jerk and more like a family reunion where some of the cousins happen to be incredibly famous.
Next Steps for You
If you missed the broadcast, there are still ways to catch the best parts and support the artists:
- Watch the Performances: Head over to the official NAACP or BET YouTube channels. The Ledisi-led tribute was particularly powerful and worth a re-watch.
- Stream the Winners: A lot of the big winners are on streaming right now. The Six Triple Eight and The Piano Lesson are on Netflix, and Cross is on Prime Video.
- Check the Lit List: The Literary categories are a goldmine for your 2026 reading list. Look up Grown Women by Sarai Johnson—it won for Debut Author and it’s fantastic.
- Stay Updated: The 57th awards cycle starts sooner than you think. Submissions usually open in late summer, so keep an eye on the official NAACP Image Awards site if you're a creator looking to get your work in front of the judges.
The 2025 show proved that even after five decades, this ceremony is still the gold standard for celebrating Black excellence without the "industry" filter.