53rd NAACP Image Awards

{{Short description|American entertainment awards for 2021 works}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox film awards|number=53|award=NAACP Image Awards|image=|caption=|date=February 26, 2022|site=|host=Anthony Anderson|network=BET
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The 53rd NAACP Image Awards, presented by the NAACP, honored outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music, and literature during the 2021 calendar year. The ceremony aired on February 26, 2022, on BET and simulcast on several of its sister Paramount Global Networks.{{Cite web|last=Mekishana|first=Pierre|date=January 18, 2022|title=2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List|url=https://www.etonline.com/2022-naacp-image-awards-nominations-the-full-list-177914|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Entertainment Tonight|language=en-US|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183412/https://www.etonline.com/2022-naacp-image-awards-nominations-the-full-list-177914 |archive-date = 2022-01-18 }} The ceremony was hosted for the ninth time by actor Anthony Anderson. Presentations of untelevised categories were livestreamed on January 18, 2022, on the ceremony's website.{{Cite web|last=Spivey|first=Kemberlie|date=2022-01-19|title=2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kemberliespivey/2022/01/18/2022-naacp-image-awards-nominations-the-full-list/|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-20|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220119025807/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kemberliespivey/2022/01/18/2022-naacp-image-awards-nominations-the-full-list/ |archive-date = 2022-01-19 }}

The nominations were announced on January 18, 2022, with the film The Harder They Fall and the comedy series Insecure leading the nominations with twelve each.{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Hilary|date=2022-01-18|title=NAACP Image Awards: 'Harder They Fall,' 'Insecure' Lead Nominations|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/naacp-image-awards-2022-nominations-nominees-list-1235076593/|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-18|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118180703/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/naacp-image-awards-2022-nominations-nominees-list-1235076593/ |archive-date=2022-01-18 }} In the recording categories, H.E.R. received the most nominations with six, followed by Chlöe, Drake, Silk Sonic and Jazmine Sullivan with four each.{{Cite magazine|last=Grein|first=Paul|date=2022-01-18|title=H.E.R. Is the Top Music Nominee for 2022 NAACP Image Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-naacp-image-awards-nominations-her-top-music-nominee-1235019793/|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-18|magazine=Billboard|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220118181418/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-naacp-image-awards-nominations-her-top-music-nominee-1235019793/ |archive-date = 2022-01-18 }} For the first time in the history of the awards ceremony, it have been included five categories to reward podcasts and social media influencer.{{Cite magazine|last=Nazareno|first=Mia|date=2021-11-18|title=Here's the Date of the 2022 NAACP Image Awards: In its 53rd year, the Image Awards have added four new podcast categories.|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/2022-naacp-image-awards-date-1234999290/|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-20|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211118171737/https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/2022-naacp-image-awards-date-1234999290/ |archive-date = 2021-11-18 }}

American journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones was honored with the Social Justice Impact Award at the ceremony for her "social efforts in reporting for The New York Times Magazine about the police injustices and crimes against black people in the United States".{{Citation|title=Announcement of Social Justice Impact Award Honoree|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONlIUJICoQY|language=en|access-date=2022-01-27}} American actor and producer Samuel L. Jackson was also honored with the Chairman's Award, for his "social activism in the 1960s, even serving as an usher at Martin Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. His continued public service and advocacy for social change".{{Cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|date=2022-02-03|title=Samuel L. Jackson To Receive Chairman's Award At 53rd NAACP Image Awards; Scot X. Esdaile & Channing Hill Set For Additional Honors|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/samuel-l-jackson-to-receive-chairmans-award-at-53rd-naacp-image-awards-1234926108/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}

For the first time since 1993 ceremony, members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas House Democratic Caucus and Texas Legislative Black Caucus were recognized with the Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award to "exemplify the spirit of the NAACP".{{Cite magazine|last=Grein|first=Paul|date=2022-02-17|title=Mary J. Blige Set to Perform at 2022 NAACP Image Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-naacp-image-awards-mary-j-blige-to-perform-1235033023/|access-date=2022-02-17|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}

The ceremony honored the President of the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches, Scot X. Esdaile, with the first ever Activist of the Year Award. NAACP Youth-Council founder Chinning Hill was recognized with the first ever Youth Activist of the Year Award.{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Hilary|date=2022-02-17|title=NAACP Image Awards: Mary J. Blige to Perform; Issa Rae, Morgan Freeman, Zendaya Among Presenters|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/mary-j-blige-performing-naacp-image-awards-2022-presenters-1235095684/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

All nominees are listed below, and the winners are listed in bold.{{Cite web |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=2022-02-26 |title=NAACP Image Awards Winners Include Jazmine Sullivan, Will Smith, Red Table Talk |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/02/naacp-image-awards-2022-winners-full-list.html |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}

Special Awards

File:Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.jpg and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were honored with the President's Award.]]

File:Nikole Hannah-Jones (42609588724) (cropped).jpg was honored with the Social Justice Impact Award.]]

File:Re publica 18 - Day 1 (26984263637) (cropped).jpg was honored with the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award.]]

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! style="width=50%" |President's Award

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style="width=50%" |Chairman's Award
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  • Samuel L. Jackson
  • style="width=50%" |Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award
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  • Mexican American Legislative Caucus
  • Texas House Democratic Caucus
  • Texas Legislative Black Caucus
  • style="width=50%" |Entertainer of the Year
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  • Jennifer Hudson
  • Lil Nas X
  • Megan Thee Stallion
  • Regina King
  • Tiffany Haddish
  • style="width=50%" |Social Justice Impact Award
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  • Nikole Hannah-Jones
  • style="width=50%" |Youth Activist of the Year
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  • Channing Hill
  • style="width=50%" |Activist of the Year
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  • Scot X. Esdaile
  • style="width=50%" |NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award
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  • Safiya Noble
  • Motion Picture

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    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Motion Picture

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding International Motion Picture

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

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    • The Harder They Fall
    • Coming 2 America
    • Judas and the Black Messiah
    • King Richard
    • Respect
    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

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    • When The Sun Sets (Lakutshon’ Ilanga)
    • Aurinko in Adagio
    • Blackout
    • The Ice Cream Stop
    • These Final Hours

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

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    Television and Streaming

    = Drama =

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    ! colspan="2" style="width=50%" | Outstanding Drama Series

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    Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

    !Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

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    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

    !Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

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    Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

    !Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series

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    = Comedy =

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    ! colspan="2" style="width=50%" |Outstanding Comedy Series

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    Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

    !Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

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    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

    !Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

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    Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

    !Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

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    = Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special =

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    ! colspan="2" style="width=50%" |Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

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    Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

    !Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

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    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

    !Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

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    Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

    !Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

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    • Abdul Williams – Salt-N-Pepa
    • Mario Miscione, Marcella Ochoa – Madres
    • Monique N. Matthew – A Holiday in Harlem
    • Sameer Gardezi – Hot Mess Holiday
    • Sherman Payne – Black as Night

    = Overall Acting =

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    !Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)

    !Outstanding Guest Actor or Actress in a Television Series

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    = Reality and Variety =

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    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Talk Series

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Series or Game Show

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding News / Information – (Series or Special)

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Host in a Talk or News / Information (Series or Special)

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Host in a Reality, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special)

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    = Other categories =

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    !Outstanding Short-Form Series (Drama or Comedy)

    !Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction

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    • Between the Scenes – The Daily Show
    • Dark Humor
    • Della Mae
    • The Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator
    • Two Sides: Unfaithful

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    • Lynching Postcards: Token of a Great Day
    • Life By The Horns
    • Memory Builds The Monument
    • Widen the Screen: 8:46 Films
    • Through Our Eyes: Shelter
    Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

    !Outstanding Children's Program

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    Outstanding Animated Series

    !Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

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    Recording

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    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Album

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding New Artist

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Male Artist

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Female Artist

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    | valign="top" width="50%" |

    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

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    | valign="top" width="50%" |

    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

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    | valign="top" width="50%" |

    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal

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    • Sounds from the Ancestors – Kenny Garrett
    • Forever...Jaz – Jazmin Ghent
    • Love Languages – Nathan Mitchell
    • Somewhere Different – Brandee Younger
    • The Magic of Now – Orrin Evans

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    • Generations – The Baylor Project
    • Dear Love – Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force
    • Ledisi Sings Nina – Ledisi
    • Let There Be Love – Freda Payne
    • SALSWING! – Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song

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    colspan="2" style="width=50%" |Outstanding International Song
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  • EssenceWizkid feat. Tems and Justin Bieber
  • PeruFireboy DML
  • Somebody's SonTiwa Savage feat. Brandy
  • Touch ItKiDi
  • UnderstandOmah Lay
  • Podcast and social media

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    !Outstanding News and Information Podcast

    !Outstanding Lifestyle/Self-Help Podcast

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    • Blindspot: Tulsa Burning
    • #SundayCivics
    • After the Uprising: The Death of Danyé Dion Jones
    • Into America
    • Un(re)solved

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    • Two Funny Mamas: Sherri Shepherd & Kym WhitleySherri Shepherd, Kym Whitley
    • Checking in with Michelle WilliamsMichelle Williams
    • The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema – Thema Bryant
    • The SonRise Project Podcast – Kelli Richardson Lawson
    • Under Construction w/ Tamar BraxtonTamar Braxton
    Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast

    !Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast

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    • Jemele Hill is Unbothered
    • Beyond the Scenes – The Daily Show
    • Professional Troublemaker
    • Questlove Supreme
    • Super Soul Podcast

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    colspan="2" |Social Media Personality of the Year
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  • Eunique Jones Gibson
  • Kevin Frederick
  • Laron Hines
  • Lanae Vanee
  • Terrell Grice
  • RackaRacka
  • Literary

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    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography

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    | valign="top" width="50%" |

    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

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    • Feeding the Soul (Because It's My Business)Tabitha Brown
    • Diversity Is Not Enough: A Roadmap to Recruit, Develop and Promote Black Leaders in America – Keith Wyche
    • Permission to DreamChris Gardner
    • Teaching Black History to White People – Leonard N. Moore
    • The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations – Robert Livingston

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    style="width=50%" |Outstanding Literary Work – Children

    ! style="width=50%" |Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

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    References

    {{Reflist}}