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
Ford, GE to Produce 50,000 Ventilators in Next 100 Days
The automaker revealed that it will be able to produce 50,000 ventilators in the next 100 days. The ventilators' design has been simplified by the private medical company Airon for easy set-up and quick usage in emergency settings.
NY Man Describes Coronavirus' Lasting Symptoms, Emotional Toll
After Josh Berg a 37-year-old Long Island resident spent a few days experiencing typical coronavirus symptoms like a high fever, slight chest pains, and terrible aches, he thought he was rounding the corner, only to be hit by what he called a second wave.
Photo Essay: A Surreal Look at New York City in the Age of Coronavirus
Cheddar's Michelle Castillo has lived in New York for over a decade, and has never seen the streets so deserted. Normally you can barely squeeze through the sidewalks of Times Square, but now city sanitation workers call it a ghost town. Restaurants in NoHo are shuttered, with one resident saying it feels like a street from another planet.
Load More