Kings and Queens at The 2023 NAACP Image Awards

The heavy rain in Los Angeles this past weekend took a back seat to the heavy REIGN this past weekend, as the royal family of Chadwick “King T’Challa” Boseman celebrated and was celebrated at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards. Going into the festivities, Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was nominated for 12 awards and when the final tally was rendered, the Blockbuster film took home 10. The list of awards won by the film are: Outstanding Motion Picture

Tenoch Huerta for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole for Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture Camille Friend for Outstanding Hairstyling

Ruth E. Carter for Outstanding Costume Design

Rihanna for Outstanding Music

Video/Visual Album - “Lift Me Up” Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan (Hollywood Records) for Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

Tems for Outstanding International Song - “No Woman No Cry” Then there’s the work of Angela Bassett who, in addition to being lauded for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, was awarded for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: – “9-1-1” and Entertainer of the Year. Those plaudits, combined with the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture earlier this year, kinda looks like she might be readying a spot on the mantle for the Academy Award Best Supporting Actress trophy. Also of significance was Viola Davis, the latest member of the EGOT (Emmy, Oscar, Grammy, Tony) club, who kept GOAT’n as she took home Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for “The Woman King” as well as Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction for her book venture, “Finding Me.” A partial listing of other Black Excellence recognized for their work are as follows:

Outstanding New Artist: Coco Jones – “ICU” (Def Jam Recordings)

Outstanding Male Artist: Chris Brown – Breezy (Deluxe) (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Female Artist: Beyoncé – Renaissance (Columbia Records/ Parkwood Entertainment)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album: Kingdom Book One – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin (Tribl Records, Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Inspiration)

Outstanding Album: Renaissance – Beyoncé (Parkwood/Columbia Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song:

“Positive” – Erica Campbell (My Block Inc.)

Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental: JID014 (Jazz is Dead) – Henry Franklin, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge

Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal: The Evening: Live at Apparatus –The Baylor Project (Be A Light)

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song: “Cuff It” – Beyoncé (Columbia Record/ Parkwood Entertainment)

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song: “Hotel Lobby” – Quavo, Takeoff (Motown Records/Quality Control Music)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional): Silk Sonic – “Love’s Train” (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary): Chris Brown feat.

Wizkid – “Call Me Every Day” (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Will Smith – Emancipation (Apple)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture: Jalyn Hall – TILL (United Artists Releasing/Orion Pictures)

Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood (CBS) Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Janelle James – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series: P-Valley (Starz)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: Nicco Annan – P-Valley (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Cliff “Method Man” Smith – Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Loretta Devine – P-Valley (Starz)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: Morris Chestnut – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Outstanding Talk Series: Sherri (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series): Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/ Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Jennifer Hudson –The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)

Outstanding Guest Performance: Glynn Turman – Queen Sugar

(OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Outstanding Animated Series: The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television): Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: Keith David – From Scratch (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: Nia Long – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock) Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: Gina Prince-Bythewood – The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author: Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen – George McCalman (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography: Scenes from My Life – Michael K. Williams, Jon Sternfeld (Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional: Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration – Tracey Lewis-Giggetts (Gallery/Simon and Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry: To the Realization of Perfect Helplessness – Robin Coste Lewis (Alfred A. Knopf)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children: Stacey’s Remarkable Books – Stacey Abrams, Kitt Thomas (HarperCollins – Balzer + Bray)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/ Teens: Cookies & Milk – Shawn Amos (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

Outstanding News and Information Podcast: Beyond the Scenes – The Daily Show (Central Productions, LLC)

Outstanding Lifestyle / SelfHelp Podcast: Therapy for Black Girls (Therapy for Black Girls)

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast: LeVar Burton Reads (SiriusXM’s Stitcher Studios)

Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast: Two Funny Mamas (Mocha Podcasts Network)

Outstanding Social Media Personality: @KevOnStage – Kevin Fredericks

Special awards were granted to: Jackie Robinson Sports

Award: Serena Williams

Chairman’s Award: Congressman Bennie Thompson.

Youth Activist of the Year: Bradley Ross Jackson

Activist of the Year: Derrick Lee Forward

Social Justice Impact

Award: Benjamin Crump

President’s Awards: Gabrielle UnionWade and Dwyane Wade

Back at it next week. Til then, enjoy the Nightlife!