The 2025 NAACP Image Awards came through with a BANG! The 56th annual ceremony aired live on Saturday, Feb. 22, on BET and CBS from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Deon Cole took over as host, keeping the crowd rolling with laughs all night long. The ceremony was packed with some unforgettable moments and HUGE honorees. From Kamala Harris‘ epic speech to the Wayans family getting inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, the internet is living for it all! Oh and of course, heavy hitters like Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, and Beyoncé snagged some awards.
Keep on scrolling to catch all the viral moments and award winners from the 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards.
Kamala Harris Is THE Moment! That’s It, That’s All!
Kamala Harris left the crowd speechless with a powerful message while accepting The Chairman’s Award at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. This marked her first television appearance since the inauguration.
According to The Daily Beast, the NAACP Chairman’s Award goes to individuals who “excel in public service and use their platforms to drive meaningful change.” On stage, Kamala urged America to keep the faith in uncertain times and come together to use our power and advocate for change.
“While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter of our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office, nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by you, written by us—by we the people. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States,” Kamala Harris said.
The Wayans Family Gets Inducted Into NAACP Image Awards Hall Of Fame
The Wayans family had a major moment when they got inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. They definitely earned it, given their ongoing contributions to the entertainment industry. Marlon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr., and his son Damon Wayans Jr. hit the stage to accept the honor, with Craig and Chaunte Wayans joining them.
Furthermore, Marlon and Damon Sr. both dropped powerful speeches about their family’s impact on the industry. They also showed love to their brother Keenan Ivory Wayans, the one who kicked it all off with his comedy career. Marlon especially gave props to Keenan’s drive and ambition to make it in entertainment.
“We watched my brother do stand-up comedy on that television, and from that day on, me as a child, I sat and I was like, ‘Wow, not only can you dream, but you can make your dreams come true,” Marlon said.
Dave Chappelle Receives President’s Award
Dave Chappelle also snagged a major honor, taking home the President’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards.
Chapelle kept it real, saying that while he’s won plenty of awards, this one hits different. He used his moment onstage to tell fellow artists to stay strong and inspired, especially during the tough times.
“I hope all of us who work in this industry feel strong and inspired and not discouraged, especially because this is a very difficult time right now, and your institution is, sadly, more relevant than it’s been in a long time. We got a lot of work to do, but it feels good to know that we’re not in it alone, that we got each other. And remember, community is everything,” Chappelle said.
Keke Palmer Wins Entertainer Of The Year
One thing about Keke Palmer — she’s always going to drop some empowering gems! That’s exactly what went down when she accepted the Entertainment of the Year Award at the NAACP Image Awards. She told the crowd they’ve been the ones to uplift her the most throughout her 20-year career. See her acceptance speech below.
Chris Brown Wins NAACP Image Award For Outstanding Soul/R&B Song
Award season has been showing out for Chris Brown. The ‘Sensational’ singer took home the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Soul/R&B Song. He was up against other nominees including Beyoncé, SZA, Coco Jones, and PJ Morton.
Kendrick Lamar Wins NAACP Image For Outstanding Music Video/Album
2025 is slowly turning out to be Kendrick Lamar’s pop-out and show-em’ year! Fresh off his Super Bowl halftime show, the Compton-bred rapper won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album.
And that’s not all! K.Dot also took home the Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song Award for ‘Not Like Us.’
Michael Rainey Jr. Wins Award For Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series
Michael Rainey Jr. also won big at the NAACP Image Awards, receiving the award for Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series for his role as Tariq in the hit ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ series.
