Plot Synopsis

The NAACP IMAGE AWARDS celebrates the accomplishments of people of color working in the fields of literature, music, television and film. The awards also honor individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. Founded on February 12, 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. The IMAGE AWARDS were first held on February 4, 1967 at the Beverly Hilton, first televised in 1974 and first broadcast live in 2007. The NAACP President's Award, chosen by the NAACP President and CEO, is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. In 2023, the show was in front of an audience for the first time in three years, after being virtual/remote in 2021 and 2022.
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Hosted by Queen Latifah from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA, the 55th Annual NAACP IMAGE AWARDS premieres live on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 8-10pm ET (live)/ PT (tape) on BET, with a simulcast on CBS, VH1, BET Her, MTV, TV Land, Comedy Central, Paramount, Logo, CMT, MTV2, Pop, and Smithsonian Channel. Andra Day will perform.

Poet laureate Amanda Gorman will receive the Chairman's Award, which honors those who demonstrate exemplary public service and use their distinct platforms to create agents of change. Past honorees include John Lewis, Tyler Perry, then-Senator Barack Obama, Former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, Ruby Dee, The Neville Brothers, U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Bono, Danny Glover, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Rev. James Lawson, and last year's recipient Samuel L. Jackson.

Usher will receive the President's Award during the program, following past recipients like Gabrielle Union-Wade & Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Rihanna, Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, Jesse Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Soledad O'Brien, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Muhammad Ali, Prince Harry & Meghan Markle, among others. The President's Award is presented in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.

R&B supergroup New Edition will receive the Hall of Fame Award, which is bestowed on an individual who is a pioneer in their respective field and whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come. Previous inductees include Eddie Murphy, Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, Carlos Santana, Little Richard, Sidney Poitier, Earth Wind & Fire, and Aretha Franklin.

Presenters for the awards show include Delroy Lindo, Deon Cole, Diarra Kilpatrick, Donnie Wahlberg, Erika Alexander, Idris Elba, Jeffrey Wright, Keke Palmer, Kenya Barris, Kerry Washington, Leslie Jones, Lil Rel Howery, Morris Chestnut, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Sabrina Elba, Sterling K. Brown and Taraji P. Henson.

No recipient has been announced for the Jackie Robinson Sports Award, which is is presented to individuals in sports for their high achievement in athletics in addition to their contributions in the pursuit of social justice, civil rights and community involvement. Previous recipients include Serena Williams, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilma Rudolph and Harlem Globetrotters, among others.

For the first time in BET history, BET and the NAACP will broaden access to this year's 55th NAACP Image Awards by providing audio descriptions for the live telecast. This addition ensures that blind and visually impaired viewers will be able to take in all the action occurring on the screen and provides a much richer experience of the event. Industry leaders VITAC and Audio Eyes will provide the audio description on the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) channel.

The night kicks off LIVE at 7pm ET on BET, BET Her and VH1, with the 55TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Red Carpet Live! hosted by Terrence J, Naturi Naughton and Novi Brown.