NAACP Image Awards 2025 Celebrate Diverse Talent

Keke Palmer named Entertainer of the Year as Abbott Elementary, Bel-Air, and more take top honors

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The 56th NAACP Image Awards, presented on February 22, 2025, celebrated outstanding achievements by people of color in film, television, music, and literature. While Keke Palmer took home the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, the night also highlighted a diverse range of talent across numerous categories, signaling a continued commitment to representation within the entertainment industry.

Why it matters

The NAACP Image Awards serve as a vital platform for celebrating the achievements of Black artists and storytellers, recognizing excellence and highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion within the entertainment industry.

The details

In the comedy categories, Abbott Elementary (ABC) was named Outstanding Comedy Series, with Ayo Edebiri, Mike Epps, William Stanford Davis, and Janelle James also earning awards. On the drama side, Bel-Air (Peacock) was crowned Outstanding Drama Series, with Jabari Banks, Angela Bassett, Adrian Holmes, and Aisha Hinds recognized for their performances. Beyond the competitive categories, the NAACP Image Awards also honored individuals like Dave Chappelle, Kamala Harris, Alondra Nelson, and the Wayans family for their contributions to culture and society.

  • The 56th NAACP Image Awards were presented on February 22, 2025.
  • The awards ceremony was simulcast on BET, CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV, MTV2, Pop, TV Land, Logo, Comedy Central, Smithsonian, and streamed on the Image Awards website.

The players

Keke Palmer

The actress and singer was named Entertainer of the Year at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.

Abbott Elementary

The ABC comedy series was named Outstanding Comedy Series at the NAACP Image Awards.

Bel-Air

The Peacock drama series, a reimagining of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', was crowned Outstanding Drama Series.

Dave Chappelle

The comedian was presented with the President's Award, acknowledging his impact as a comedic voice.

Kamala Harris

The Vice President received the Chairman's Award, recognizing her leadership and advocacy.

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The takeaway

The 56th NAACP Image Awards underscored a year of compelling content and remarkable talent, setting the stage for continued progress and representation in the entertainment industry. The event's success demonstrates the enduring power of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of people of color to the world of entertainment.