NAACP Image Awards 2025: The Full List Of Winners And Biggest Surprises From The 56th Ceremony
The 56th NAACP Image Awards, held on February 22, 2025, cemented its status as the premier celebration of Black excellence across film, television, music, and literature, delivering a night of powerful statements and well-deserved triumphs. This year’s ceremony, hosted by the hilarious comedian and actor Deon Cole at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, was packed with memorable moments and a fresh list of winners that reflect the current landscape of groundbreaking Black artistry.
The event saw major wins for Tyler Perry's historical drama *The Six Triple Eight* and the perennial favorite sitcom *Abbott Elementary*, but the biggest buzz surrounded the night's final and most prestigious award. The 2025 winners list is a vital snapshot of the most impactful and creative content from the past year, highlighting voices and stories that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. The sheer depth of talent honored demonstrates the growing topical authority of Black creators in mainstream entertainment.
The 56th NAACP Image Awards 2025: Key Winners and Honorees
The 56th NAACP Image Awards honored achievements across more than 90 categories. Here is a breakdown of the most significant winners in the major televised and non-televised categories, including the special humanitarian recognitions.
The Night's Top Honors: Entertainer of the Year and Special Awards
The night culminated with the presentation of the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, which recognizes an individual for their outstanding body of work and public impact over the past year. This year's special honorees also made headlines, underscoring the NAACP's commitment to recognizing excellence both on and off the screen.
- Entertainer of the Year: Keke Palmer
- Chairman's Award: Former Vice President Kamala Harris
- President's Award: Dave Chappelle
- Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year: Shirley Raines
Keke Palmer’s win for Entertainer of the Year was a highlight, recognizing her multifaceted career spanning acting, hosting, and music. In her acceptance speech, the actress and media personality emphasized the support she has received from the community, noting her two decades in the industry. The recognition of Former Vice President Kamala Harris with the Chairman's Award and comedian Dave Chappelle with the President's Award further highlighted the intersection of arts, politics, and culture at the ceremony.
Outstanding Achievements in Film and Television
The film and television categories showcased a diverse range of stories, from historical dramas to contemporary comedies. The winners list for 2025 reflects a strong year for projects helmed by Black creators and featuring predominantly Black casts.
Film Winners
Tyler Perry’s *The Six Triple Eight* emerged as a major winner in the film categories. The movie, which tells the true story of the only all-Black, all-female battalion of the Women’s Army Corps to serve overseas during World War II, resonated strongly with voters.
- Outstanding Motion Picture: The Six Triple Eight
- Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Kerry Washington – The Six Triple Eight
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Colman Domingo – Rustin
- Outstanding Independent Motion Picture: Nickel Boys
- Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture: Fantasia Barrino – The Color Purple
- Outstanding Documentary (Film): Stamped from the Beginning
Kerry Washington’s win for her role in *The Six Triple Eight* was a key moment, acknowledging her powerful portrayal. The win for *Nickel Boys* in the independent category also signaled the critical success of smaller, impactful films. The success of these films underscores the demand for authentic storytelling that captures the richness of the Black experience.
Television Winners
The television categories continued to celebrate the dominance of top-tier streaming and network content, with several returning favorites and new shows taking home major awards. The comedy and drama series winners were particularly competitive, featuring some of the most talked-about performances of the year.
- Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary (ABC)
- Outstanding Drama Series: Cross
- Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Damon Wayans – Poppa's House
- Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
- Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Limited Series: Taraji P. Henson – The Color Purple
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
- Outstanding Talk Show: The Jennifer Hudson Show
The continued success of *Abbott Elementary* as the Outstanding Comedy Series, alongside Janelle James's win, proves its enduring popularity and critical acclaim. Damon Wayans’s win for his performance in *Poppa's House* marked a significant achievement for the veteran comedian. The recognition of Ayo Edebiri for *The Bear* highlights the NAACP Image Awards' scope in celebrating Black talent across all genres and platforms.
Music, Literary, and Podcast Excellence
Beyond the screen, the 56th NAACP Image Awards also recognized the impactful work being done in the music industry, literature, and the burgeoning podcast space. These wins demonstrate the breadth of Black artistic influence across all media.
Music Winners
Music categories were dominated by global superstars and celebrated a wide array of genres, from R&B to Jazz. Beyoncé was the standout winner in the major music categories, continuing her historic run of awards success.
- Outstanding Album: Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
- Outstanding Female Artist: Beyoncé
- Outstanding Male Artist: Chris Brown
- Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary): SZA ft. Phoebe Bridgers – "Ghost in the Machine"
- Outstanding Jazz Album: Portrait – Samara Joy
- Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album: Father’s Day – Kirk Franklin
Beyoncé’s double win for Outstanding Album and Outstanding Female Artist for her groundbreaking project *Cowboy Carter* reaffirmed her status as a cultural icon. Chris Brown's recognition as Outstanding Male Artist and Samara Joy's win for Outstanding Jazz Album, *Portrait*, highlight the diversity of talent celebrated at the ceremony.
Literary and Podcast Winners
The literary and podcast categories recognize the power of the written and spoken word to educate, entertain, and inspire. These non-televised awards are crucial for establishing topical authority in the cultural conversation.
- Outstanding Literary Work (Fiction): The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store – James McBride
- Outstanding Literary Work (Non-Fiction): The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder – David Grann
- Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast: Club Shay Shay (hosted by Shannon Sharpe)
- Outstanding News and Information Podcast: The Daily
The recognition of James McBride and David Grann in the literary categories underscores the importance of Black voices in contemporary publishing. Furthermore, the win for Shannon Sharpe's *Club Shay Shay* shows the growing influence of Black creators in the podcasting space, creating compelling and authoritative content that drives cultural discourse. The 56th NAACP Image Awards successfully honored a comprehensive range of achievements, making it a truly unforgettable night.
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