NAACP Announces First Round of Winners During the 55th NAACP Virtual Image Awards Show
LOS ANGELES – Tonight, the NAACP kicked-off night one of the "55th NAACP Image Awards" announcing the first round of winners in the non-televised award categories, which included Outstanding International Song, Christian Album, Female Artist, Male Artist, New Artist, Hip hop/Rap Song, and more. The awards were announced tonight during the NAACP Virtual Image Awards' Show sponsored by Wells Fargo, Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Diageo, Denny's, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines at naacpimageawards.net.
Tonight's winners included Usher for Outstanding Male Artist, H.E.R. for Outstanding Female Artist, Megan Thee Stallion for Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song - "Cobra," Victoria Monét for Outstanding New Artist and Outstanding Album - "Jaguar II," Tems for Outstanding International Song - "Me & U," Kirk Franklin for Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album - "Father's Day," Ciara and Chris Brown for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) - "How We Roll," Chris Brown alongside Davido and Lojay received the Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) - "Sensational," and more.
The night additionally featured host and actor Khleo Thomas and appearances from presenters, including Bellah (Hulu's Queenie), Da'Vinchi (Starz's BMF), Danielle Jalade (Disney's Saturdays), Gabrielle Nevaeh (Nickelodeon's That Girl Lay Lay) and Vanessa Simmons (BET+ Deadly Entanglement). The three-day-long 55th NAACP Virtual Image Awards' Show from March 11-13, will invite fans to join the Image Awards in a celebration of the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color across more than 90 competitive categories.
The "55th NAACP Image Awards," hosted by Queen Latifah, will premiere LIVE on Saturday, March 16th at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET and the CBS Television Network.
The full list of winners from tonight can be found below:
Outstanding International Song
"Me & U" – Tems
Outstanding Jazz Album
"Brand New Life" – Brandee Younger
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
"All Yours" – Kierra Sheard feat. Anthony Brown
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
"Father's Day" – Kirk Franklin
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
"How We Roll" – Ciara feat. Chris Brown
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
"Sensational" – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
"The Color Purple - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" – Various Producers
Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" – Jongnic Bontemps
Outstanding Male Artist
"Good Good" – USHER with 21 Savage x Summer Walker
Outstanding Female Artist
"The Journey" – H.E.R.
Outstanding New Artist
"Jaguar II" – Victoria Monét
Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
"Cobra" – Megan Thee Stallion
Outstanding Album
"Jaguar II" – Victoria Monét
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
"Family Lore" – Elizabeth Acevedo
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
"The New Brownies' Book" – Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
"Rootless" – Krystle Zara Appiah
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography
"Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement" – Dr. Tanisha C. Ford
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
"Historically Black Phrases: From 'I Ain't One of Your Lil' Friends' to 'Who All Gon' Be There?'" - Jarett Hill, Tre'vell Anderson
Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel
"The Talk" - Darrin Bell
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
"Suddenly We" - Evie Shockley
Outstanding Literary Work – Children
"CROWNED: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora" - Kahran Bethencourt
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
"Everyone's Thinking It" - Aleema Omotoni
NAACP will continue to recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually until March 13th on www.naacpimageawards.net, at an Awards Dinner and Program on March 14th and the Fashion Show on March 15th. The awards dinner will be hosted by Sherri Shepherd and honor Frankie Beverly with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Fashion Show will be hosted by Brandee Evans and honor June Ambrose with the NAACP Vanguard Award for Fashion.
The "55th NAACP Image Awards" is proudly presented by this year's incredible partners and sponsors, including Wells Fargo, Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, Airbnb, Amazon, Diageo, Denny's, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines.
For all information and the latest news, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.
About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race–based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.
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NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis |NAACPImageAwards@ssmandl.com
Luis Defrank | luis.defrank@bet.net
Ariana Drummond | ImagePublicist@naacpnet.org