PASADENA, Calif. — Angela Bassett won entertainer of the year at Saturday's NAACP Image Awards on a night that also saw her take home an acting trophy for the television series “9-1-1.”

The Bassett-led Marvel superhero sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” won best motion picture at the ceremony, which was broadcast live on BET from Pasadena, California.

Viola Davis won outstanding actress for the action epic “The Woman King,” a project she championed and starred in. Will Smith won for the slavery drama“Emancipation,” his first release since last year's Academy Awards, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage before winning his first best actor trophy.

“I never want to not be brave enough as a woman, as a Black woman, as an artist," Davis said, referencing a quote from her character in the film, which she called her magnum opus. “I thank everyone who was involved with ‘The Woman King’ because that was just nothing but high-octane bravery.”

“Abbott Elementary” won for outstanding comedy series. Creator and series star Quinta Brunson invited her costars onstage and praised shows like “black-ish” for paving the way for her series.

The 54 NAACP Image Awards were presented Saturday in Pasadena, California, with Queen Latifah hosting. Serena Williams received the Jackie Robinson Sports award, which recognizes individuals in sports for high achievement in athletics along with their pursuit of social justice, civil rights and community involvement.

The ceremony, which honors entertainers, athletes and writers of color, was hosted by Queen Latifah. Special honorees included Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union and civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

Share:
More In Culture
Need2Know: Cruel Summer, Euro Madness & Breastfeeding Olympian
Some minor relief coming to the Pacific Northwest, new info on the Miami condo collapse and that building's state of disrepair, Facebook gets a big win in court, stunners at Wimbledon and the Euro and being a mom vs. being an Olympian. Can you be both?
NYC Subway Ridership Up But Still Lags Pre-Pandemic Levels
Christina Radigan, chief marketing officer of the Out of Home Advertising Association of America, joined Cheddar News' Michelle Castillo to talk about its new study on consumer travel trends and the push to get people to do things outdoors.
Need2Know: Search for Survivors, Record Heat & France's Most Wanted
Jill's back with Carlo to bring you up to speed on the latest from the weekend as the search for survivors of that Miami condo collapse enters its 5th day. Records fall left and right in the Pacific Northwest amid an historic and unrelenting heat wave. And the search for the woman who ruined the Tour de France.
Chauvin Gets 22 1/2 Years in Prison for George Floyd's Death
Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, whose dying gasps under Chauvin’s knee led to the biggest outcry against racial injustice in the U.S. in generations.
Why All Late-Night Talk Shows Look the Same
From 'Jimmy Kimmel Live', to 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno', late night talk shows have always used the same set. What might surprise you is that this can be explained by diving into the origins of late night TV and theater.
Load More