The 2025 NAACP Image Awards

Angela Bassett at the 56th NAACP Image Awards
Photo Credit: Highsnobiety

By Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

The 2025  National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards was a night of celebration, empowerment, and recognition of Black excellence. Held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, this prestigious event honored outstanding achievements in film, television, music, and literature by people of color. The awards ceremony not only highlighted the incredible talent and contributions of Black artists but also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and recognition in the arts and beyond by people who look like us.

For Black people across the world, the NAACP Image Awards hold significant importance. They provide a platform to celebrate and uplift Black voices, stories, and experiences that are often underrepresented in mainstream media. Shades of Us was proud to see the sense of pride and unity within the Black community that was showcased at this event.

We believe that by honoring trailblazers and visionaries, the Image Awards inspire future generations to continue breaking barriers and striving for excellence.

Here is the list of winners of the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. 

Entertainer Of The Year

Keke Palmer

Outstanding Album

Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment Llc)

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

“Residuals” — Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song

“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar (Pglang, Under Exclusive License To Interscope Records)

Outstanding Male Artist

Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Female Artist

Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment Llc)

Outstanding New Artist

Doechii (Capitol Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Duo, Group Or Collaboration (Traditional)

Adam Blackstone & Fantasia — “Summertime” (Bassic Black Entertainment Records/Anderson Music Group/Empire)

Outstanding Duo, Group Or Collaboration (Contemporary)

Wizkid Feat. Brent Faiyaz — “Piece Of My Heart” (RCA Records/Sony Music International/Starboy Entertainment)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

Live Breathe Fight — Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

Outstanding International Song

“Hmmm” —  Chris Brown Feat. Davido (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar (Pglang, Under Exclusive License To Interscope Records)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

Wicked: The Soundtrack (Republic Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

“Working For Me” — Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

Outstanding Jazz Album

Portrait — Samara Joy (Verve Records)

Outstanding Original Score For Television/Motion Picture

Star Wars: The Acolyte (Original Soundtrack) (Walt Disney Records)

Outstanding Motion Picture

The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor In A Motion Picture

Martin Lawrence — Bad Boys: Ride Or Die (Sony Pictures)

Outstanding Actress In A Motion Picture

Kerry Washington — The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture

Winner: Denzel Washington — Gladiator II (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture

Ebony Obsidian — The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

Sing Sing (A24)

Outstanding International Motion Picture

Emilia Pérez (Netflix)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance In A Motion Picture

Ebony Obsidian — The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast In A Motion Picture

The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

Inside Out 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Character Voice–Over Performance – Motion Picture

Blue Ivy Carter — Mufasa: The Lion King (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

Superman Doesn’t Steal

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz “Jackie Robinson” (Exhibit Treal Studios)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Malcolm Washington — The Piano Lesson (Netflix)

Outstanding Youth Performance In A Motion Picture

Skylar Aleece Smith — The Piano Lesson (Netflix)

Outstanding Cinematography In A Motion Picture

Jomo Fray — Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (Abc)

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series

Damon Wayans — Poppa’s House (CBS)

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson — Abbott Elementary (Abc)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Damon Wayans Jr. — Poppa’s House (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Danielle Pinnock — Ghosts (CBS)

Outstanding Drama Series

Cross (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series

Michael Rainey Jr. — Power Book Ii: Ghost (Starz)

Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series

Queen Latifah — The Equalizer (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Cliff “Method Man” Smith — Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Lynn Whitfield — The Chi (Paramount+)

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie)

Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (Peacock)

Outstanding Actor In A Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie)

Aaron Pierre — Rebel Ridge (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress In A Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie)

Naturi Naughton — Abducted At An HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie)

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

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Television (Series, Special Or Movie)

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

Outstanding News/Information (Series Or Special)

The Reidout (Msnbc)

Outstanding Talk Series

The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition, Or Game Show (Series)

Celebrity Family Feud (Abc)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series Or Special)

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… (Netflix)

Outstanding Children’s Program

Gracie’s Corner (Youtube Tv)

Outstanding Performance By A Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie Or Limited–Series)

Leah Sava Jeffries — Percy Jackson And The Olympians (Disney+)

Outstanding Host In A Talk Or News/Information (Series Or Special) – Individual Or Ensemble

Jennifer Hudson — The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)

Outstanding Host In A Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show, Or Variety (Series Or Special) – Individual Or Ensemble

Keke Palmer — Password (Nbc)

Outstanding Guest Performance

Marlon Wayans — Bel-Air (Peacock)

Outstanding Animated Series

Gracie’s Corner (Youtube Tv)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Cree Summer — Rugrats (Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Short Form Series Or Special – Reality/Nonfiction /Documentary

The Prince Of Death Row Records (YouTube TV)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Ayo Edebiri — The Bear (Fx/Hulu)

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

Luther: Never Too Much (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

Black Barbie: A Documentary (Netflix)

Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)

How To Sue The Klan

Outstanding Social Media Personality Of The Year

Shirley Raines

The Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award 

Jotaka Eaddy

Vanguard Award

Essence

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Crystal Jenkins — No Good Deed, "Letters of Intent" 

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Ben Watkins — Cross, "Hero Complex"

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special 

Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Thembi L. Banks, — Young. Wild. Free. 

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes — Nickel Boys 

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Tiffany Johnson — How to Die Alone, "Trust No One" 

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series 

Rapman — Supacell, "Supacell" 

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary, or Special 

Tina Mabry — The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can Eat 

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture 

RaMell Ross — Nickel Boys

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)

Dawn Porter — Luther: Never Too Much

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

One of Us Knows: A Thriller — Alyssa Cole

Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction

Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest — Fawn Weaver 

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

Grown Woman — Sarai Johnson

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography 

Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America — Joy-Ann Reid

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional 

Wash Day: Passing on the Legacy, Rituals, and Love of Natural Hair — Tomesha Faxio

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry 

This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets — Kwame Alexander 

Outstanding Literary Work – Children 

You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book — Taraji P. Henson (Author), Paul Kellam (Illustrator) 

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

Brushed Between Cultures: A YA Coming of Age Novel Set in Brooklyn, New York — Samarra St. Hilaire

Outstanding Graphic Novel

Punk Rock Karaoke — Bianca Xunise

Outstanding News and Information Podcast

Native Land Pod 

Outstanding Lifestyle/Self–Help Podcast

We Don’t Always Agree with Ryan & Sterling

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast

Club Shay Shay

Outstanding Sports, Arts and Entertainment Podcast

Two Funny Mamas

Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form

Stranded

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film)

Paul Tazewell — Wicked

Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film)

Debi Young — Shirley

Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film)

Lawrence Davis — Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film)

Rebel Ridge