QUEEN LATIFAH TO HOST 54TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

Emmy and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actress and producer Queen Latifah hosted the "54TH NAACP Image Awards" which aired LIVE on Saturday, February 25, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET.

"It's an honor to host the 54th NAACP Image Awards, especially in the year we are celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop," said Queen Latifah "This is a night to celebrate Black excellence and Black contribution to our industry and beyond. Celebrating one another, lifting each other up and you know we'll have fun doing it!"

"Queen Latifah is one of our generation's most influential and iconic voices. We are excited to collaborate with the ground-breaking megastar as she hosts the 54th NAACP Image Awards," said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. "As always, we look forward to partnering with NAACP to celebrate Black creativity and ingenuity for an unforgettable night of Black excellence that will inspire, entertain, and empower viewers worldwide."

"This year's NAACP Image Awards was an amazing celebration, highlighting the major accomplishments of political leaders, entertainers, activists, and other changemakers. It was also a night that shows how our community can come together and impact each other and the world in a positive way," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO

The star-studded evening also featured A-list presenters taking the stage, including: Brian White, Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Damson Idris, Taye Diggs,

The Activist of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Derrick Lee Foward, President of the Dayton Unit of the NAACP and a Vice President of the Ohio NAACP Dr. Foward has been a strong advocate for civil and human rights for nearly two decades through his work with

Indiana.

, Janelle James, Jonathan Majors, Kerry Washington, Morris Chestnut, Ms. Pat, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Terrence Howard the NAACP. The Youth Activist of the Year Award will be presented to BloomingtonNormal NAACP Youth Council President Bradley Ross Jackson Jackson helped to organize a peaceful protest of 1,000 people to demand justice for the murder of George Floyd, one of the largest demonstrations held in Bloomington,

Previously announced "54TH NAACP Image Awards" honorees include U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) who will be honored with the prestigious Chairman's Award, Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump will receive the Social Justice Impact Award, and Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade will receive the President's Award NAACP also recognized winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually February 20-23 on www. naacpimageawards.net and at an Awards Dinner and Program on February 24. The awards dinner will be hosted by actress Bresha Webb. Awards dinner presenters include: Coco Jones, Dominique Thorne, Tichina Arnold, Amber Riley, Paula Newsome, April Ryan, Skai Jackson, Alaya "That Girl Lay Lay" High, Angie Martinez, Niecy Nash-Betts, Tobe Nwigwe, Tye Tribbett, Armani White, Wendell Pierce, "Harlem" cast members Meagan Good, Tyler Lepley, Jerrie Johnson, and Shoniqua Shandai, writer/director Tracy Oliver ("Harlem", "First Wives Club") and more.

The "54th NAACP Image Awards" was presented by Wells Fargo and sponsored by Bank of America, Gushers, Google, Airbnb, Amazon, FedEx, Lowe's, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Audible, Bacardi, and Mielle