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For Us, By Us, Celebrating Us: Inside The 2025 NAACP Image Awards

February 24, 2025

The 2025 NAACP Image Awards was the premier celebration of all things for us, by us.

Hosted by Deon Cole and held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium — which served as an evacuation zone for Los Angeles residents displaced by the recent wildfires — the evening was a tribute to Black excellence and L.A. locals.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris made her first public live television appearance since leaving office to accept the Chairman’s Award. The recognition honored Harris for her “historic accomplishments and incredible service legacy to America and our community.” In conjunction with its 45th anniversary, BET Media Group was honored with the Founders Award while Dave Chappelle received the President’s Award and the Wayans Family became the newest inductees into the NAACP Hall of Fame.

 

Harris urged viewers not to “surrender to cynicism and destruction” during her acceptance speech. She encouraged Americans to have the same “sense of urgency” today as the NAACP founders did back then, “knowing, as the saying goes, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” Harris continued, “Some look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history. Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy, and ask, ‘What do we do now?’ But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before, and we will do it again. We use our power. We organize, we mobilize, we educate and we advocate.”

She added, “Our strength flows from our faith: Faith in God, faith in each other, and our refusal to surrender to cynicism and destruction, not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. Not because victory is guaranteed, but because the fight is worth it.”

Chappelle described his honor as “the most special award [he’s] ever gotten.” Keke Palmer, who was named Entertainer of the Year, gave each of her fellow nominees their flowers and even broke out into Cynthia Erivo‘s iconic run from Wicked’s “Defying Gravity.” “It’s so important that we all come here together and celebrate one another with one another,” Palmer noted, sharing that “nobody has uplifted me more than you all, the people in this room.”

A special portion honored the historically Black community of Altadena, where Morris Chestnut highlighted the neighborhood’s resilience and led a standing ovation for 22 Altadena residents. Ledisi and Adam Blackstone’s Legacy Band then performed a powerful medley of “Wholy Holy” & “How I Got Over” with a choir of Altadena residents. Later in the evening, D-Nice led a touching tribute to honor the late Quincy Jones.

The Wayans—sans Keenen Ivory and Shawn— spoke on how Keenen’s vision for himself set the tone, trickled down to his siblings, and opened the door for their collective and individual success. Damon and Marlon led the remarks as Kim, Damon Jr., Damien, and more represented the family onstage.

Backstage, Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, shared a kiss to celebrate her coveted honor.

Check out more highlights from the 2025 NAACP Image Awards below. The full winners list can be found here.

(L-R) Chaunte Wayans, Craig Wayans, Damien Wayans, Amara Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Marlon Wayans, Damon Wayans and Kim Wayans

(L-R) Craig Wayans, Chaunte Wayans, Damien Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr.

(L-R) Darryl C. Towns, Karen Boykin-Towns, Vice Chair, NAACP National Board of Directors, Leon W. Russell, Chair, NAACP National Board of Directors, Letitia Johnson, and Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP

(L-R) Ebony Obsidian, Nicole Avant, Moriah Brown, Shanice Williams, Kylie Jefferson, Kerry Washington, Sarah Jeffery, and Milauna Jackson 

(L-R) Ben Stephens, Trey Haley, Quincy, Brandon T. Jackson, David Banner, Yvette Nicole Brown, Anthony Davis, Lela Rochon and Pooch Hall 

(L-R) Pepi Sonuga, Kylie Jefferson, Moriah Brown, Shanice Williams and Sarah Jeffery 

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